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Original poster

Can I teach myself the flute?

29 replies

zen1 · 22/06/2015 19:41

Two of my DCs have recently begun to learn instruments (clarinet and euphonium) and I have gone and impulse-bought a flute on ebay with the intention of teaching myself. As a child / teenager I played the clarinet, recorder and piano, but gave up because I felt I wasn't learning for myself (made to do an hour of practise every day when I was quite young). I got to quite a good standard on the clarinet and recorder. Anyway, I now feel I want to play an instrument just for myself and settled on the flute. Will I get very far without having a teacher?

OP posts:
Original poster
zen1 · 22/06/2015 20:25

Thanks for the replies. I have tried on friends flutes before (years ago!) and bought myself an aulos fife which I tinkered on (again as a teenager) and managed to play a few tunes so I think I'll be ok as far as blowing is concerned. Can you recommend any tutor books Ferguson? I was just going to google and pick one. I had an idea that I would like to work my way through the grades as my DCs start doing theirs. I like having something to aim for.

OP posts:
spad · 22/06/2015 20:18

Good luck, I tried but couldn't get a sound out if it. and I used to play the clarinet at school

Ferguson · 22/06/2015 20:17

The FINGERING of most woodwinds is similar, if not identical, for recorder, clarinet, flute, saxophones etc.

The BLOWING part obviously varies between them, but you should be able to manage, though flute of course you blow across, and there is no reed.

What sort of music are you aiming at, and what tutor books are you considering?

MyFriendsCallMeOh · 22/06/2015 19:45

My dh taught himself to play the guitar using YouTube videos. He's never going to be Eric Clapton but he's not too bad and enjoys it. Remember that a good teacher will not only teach you but also motivate and encourage you so if you can live without that, why not? Start teaching yourself, you might find you'd like a lesson every few weeks as you go on.....