Soooo... one lesson in and DS is being teased for learning the flute !

[Didiplanthis]

Nothing changes does it ?! DS is 9 and wanted to learn flute after a demonstration at school. I'm happy for them to try anything they show a independent interest in so signed him up. And already he is being teased by boys in his class. I'm really hoping he doesn't let it get to him. He really enjoyed it and in 48 hrs has practised 6 times.... which is more than he managed in 18 months of drum lessons !

I know a very cool 14 year old male flute player. He plays classical, folk and rock.

Could you find your DS some male flautist on YouTube?

I'll have a look - that's a good idea .. he is kind of used to not quite fitting in as he has ADHD and has more female friends than male which might help . it will really suit him as he is very hypermobile so a light instrument with light finger pressure will be so good for him, he is very sound sensitive and the tone 'felt nice' so I'm hoping the positive sensory experience will outweigh the snarky comments.

That's such a shame. Plenty of male flautists. Hopefully he will get into an ensemble quite soon, often they can be for quite new players and he will find others to share his new passion. I'm glad he has found the right sound and feel of instrument and hope he has many years of enjoyment. The others are probably jealous they didn't have the courage to try something new.

I have a flute playing DS who is 10! This is one of the (many) reasons why my sons now are at an all boys school - everything is for boys, because there are only boys there. DS1 was teased at his previous school for learning the flute, we moved him and surprise surprise, there is a flute & toot ensemble of all boys, the wind ensemble is all boys, etc etc.

Watch videos of James Galway, Jean Pierre Rampal (with a solid gold flute!!), Emmanuel Pahud, Herbie Mann, Gareth Davies is the principal flute of the LSO... and that's just the classical ones, there are flutes in many folk traditions like Irish, Chinese, Indian... mostly played by men!

Hell, even Master Wu in Lego Ninjago plays the flute!!

The flautists in the military bands are pretty macho too.

Look at the guns on this guy: https://m.facebook.com/rmbandservice/videos/lcpl-dan-bennett-flute-online-masterclass/256361395752787/?see_imp=21t47Uqs9KBQZmgOE

No way. Perhaps move him.

I'm liking Master Wu playing the flute ..
He loves ninjago ! He can't use this as a come back as ninjago is 'for babies' ... the cool boys are into fortnite !! I think he will be ok, its just frustrating... he has practiced 3 times today already

That's so sad! My dd is a flute player and although they are mostly girls there are some very impressive male flutists at her music school (and two of the flute teachers). Emmanuel Pahud is a good one to watch on the classical stuff. Tell him it requires more air than almost any other wind or brass instrument (except the tuba apparently), so he's actually 'stronger' than all those brass players. He should definitely keep going - it's a brilliant instrument (and good gateway to the saxophone when he's older and can hold something bigger).