Hello! I am LilyPad, and have been pursuing the FluteWorld site for some time now. I have been playing since I was in elementary school (that is when my mom let me start, though I have wanted to play for some years since). I have been playing for 12 years now, absolutely loving it. Though I currently do not take lessons or play with an ensemble, I want to get back into it.
I have decided to get back to what I live, and would like to go back to school for flute. This brings me to my question: do music schools look at the age of an applicant, thus lessening chances for those not coming straight from high school? I know it will be hard to get back into musical shape, but am willing to take time to prepare.
It is nice to meet you all!
Hello! New here and with some questions.
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
-
pied_piper
- Posts: 1962
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 1:31 pm
- Location: Virginia
Re: Hello! New here and with some questions.
Welcome LilyPad. When you speak of "music schools" do you mean you want to pursue a university degree in music? If so, admissions to degree programs are based upon high school grades, SAT scores, achievements, and your playing ability. Also, there are a variety of different music degrees including music education, performance, composing, music business, etc. It would help if you share what are your musical goals, then we can offer more specific responses.
"Never give a flute player a screwdriver."
--anonymous--
--anonymous--
Re: Hello! New here and with some questions.
I want to be a performance major, and either perform in orchestras or even create my own ensemble. This will most likely lead to some classes to a minor or even double major in conducting. I would like to one day make an ensemble dedicated to film and game scores, having movie night themed concerts where the ensemble plays the symphonic score as the movie plays. My other goal is to audition and place in an orchestra, preferably a major orchestra (though that is the dream of many). I know that is a lot of work, but am willing to put in the practice time (hours pass in a snap when I practice).
Re: Hello! New here and with some questions.
I am not ignoring you, I just thought i had sent a reply already.
To answer your question, I would like to major in performance and perhaps minor in conducting. The reason for this is that I want to go on and perform in ensembles, the dream in being within a major ensemble. A secondary goal would be to create my own ensemble that specializes in movie and video game scores. His group would put on a "movie night" type performance, with the movie playing over head to the live music.
I know this will be a lot of work and practice, hours a days and at least months of practice (if not years) before I am able to prepare an audition. I am not daunted by this, and am determined to do what's needed.
Thank you for your time!
To answer your question, I would like to major in performance and perhaps minor in conducting. The reason for this is that I want to go on and perform in ensembles, the dream in being within a major ensemble. A secondary goal would be to create my own ensemble that specializes in movie and video game scores. His group would put on a "movie night" type performance, with the movie playing over head to the live music.
I know this will be a lot of work and practice, hours a days and at least months of practice (if not years) before I am able to prepare an audition. I am not daunted by this, and am determined to do what's needed.
Thank you for your time!
-
pied_piper
- Posts: 1962
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 1:31 pm
- Location: Virginia
Re: Hello! New here and with some questions.
OK. It helps to know what you want to do. As you mentioned, to become a performance major and/or conductor will take a lot of dedication, talent, and practice. My recommendation? If you live near a university that has a music department with a flute professor, find out if you can take lessons from that person. Alternatively, if there is a professional symphony orchestra near you, study with a professional symphony flutist. I suggest those because you will need a very high level of instruction to help you get prepared as quickly as possible. Also, you need to do this so that you can get a realistic assessment of your abilities. If you don't have a pro close enough to study weekly with one of those, study locally, but also try to arrange some periodic lessons with a professor or pro flutist. If you get stuck trying to find someone, the folks here can probably help you find a professional flute teacher.
There are also a number of professional flutists who teach lessons via Skype over the internet. Here are a few that come to mind:
Some other suggestions: Try to attend regional flute events so that you can hear other flutists and after you work up your skills a bit, enter some regional competitions. Also, join the National Flute Association and attend the national convention. You'll get to hear the best flutists and you'll learn a lot too.
There are also a number of professional flutists who teach lessons via Skype over the internet. Here are a few that come to mind:
- Jim Walker http://www.jimwalkerflute.com/online-lessons.html
- Nina Perlove http://www.realfluteproject.com/web/pag ... 26+Lessons
- Jeffrey Khaner http://artistworks.com/flute-lessons-jeffrey-khaner
- Paul Fried http://www.paulfriedflute.com/flute-les ... skype.html
- Chris Potter http://www.chrispotterflute.com/flute-l ... e-lessons/
Some other suggestions: Try to attend regional flute events so that you can hear other flutists and after you work up your skills a bit, enter some regional competitions. Also, join the National Flute Association and attend the national convention. You'll get to hear the best flutists and you'll learn a lot too.
"Never give a flute player a screwdriver."
--anonymous--
--anonymous--
Re: Hello! New here and with some questions.
As for my skill, I have been working on my scales and range (with my c-foot flute I can get all the way down to middle C to third octave B-flat). While I have an open hole flute, my right ring finger has trouble covering the key at times. As for pieces, I have been working on Fantasie by Faure, as well as etudes from a book (I will name it later when I am home).
I live in Ohio, an easy drive from several orchestras as well as institutions, and will absolutely look for a pro. My current concern is price. What is a typical lesson price for an hour a week?
Thank you for the advice and sources, Pied_Piper. I will look into it.
I live in Ohio, an easy drive from several orchestras as well as institutions, and will absolutely look for a pro. My current concern is price. What is a typical lesson price for an hour a week?
Thank you for the advice and sources, Pied_Piper. I will look into it.
-
pied_piper
- Posts: 1962
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 1:31 pm
- Location: Virginia
Re: Hello! New here and with some questions.
The cost of lessons can vary quite a bit. Factors include regional variation and the demand for some of the top teachers. I would say typical prices per hour are in the $50 to $75 range but some of the top teachers can get $150 or maybe even more.
Check all your local options as well as some that might require a bit of a drive. In my case, I have taken lessons with a pro symphony flutist who charged $50/hour.
Check all your local options as well as some that might require a bit of a drive. In my case, I have taken lessons with a pro symphony flutist who charged $50/hour.
"Never give a flute player a screwdriver."
--anonymous--
--anonymous--
-
fluteguy18
- Posts: 2311
- Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 3:11 pm
Re: Hello! New here and with some questions.
PP is right on the mark with his comments. Though if I were you, I'd reassess your goals. Not to belittle or discourage you from pursuing a career in music, but it's important that goals are realistic. What concerns me is that you are under the impression it will take 'months or maybe years' before being ready for an audition.
Countless flutists have the best of the best from a very young age. The best teachers, the best instruments, the best schools. They study for over a decade, or even two decades, and they never win an orchestral audition. They never 'make it.' They are world class players, but never win the audition. Or even if they do win the audition, most orchestras simply don't pay enough for you to survive. It just seems to me that at the moment you have a lot of learning to do (not only from a player's standpoint but also from the perspective of someone looking at what it takes to be a career musician), and at best you're setting yourself up for disappointment. I would drastically review my goals if I were you, and at least make a very thorough plan of action with a minimum of a 10 year time frame for a return on your investment of time, money, and effort.
Countless flutists have the best of the best from a very young age. The best teachers, the best instruments, the best schools. They study for over a decade, or even two decades, and they never win an orchestral audition. They never 'make it.' They are world class players, but never win the audition. Or even if they do win the audition, most orchestras simply don't pay enough for you to survive. It just seems to me that at the moment you have a lot of learning to do (not only from a player's standpoint but also from the perspective of someone looking at what it takes to be a career musician), and at best you're setting yourself up for disappointment. I would drastically review my goals if I were you, and at least make a very thorough plan of action with a minimum of a 10 year time frame for a return on your investment of time, money, and effort.