5 Tips For Returning to Flute After a Long Break

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Learn Flute Podcast SHOW NOTES:

In this episode, you will learn all about my 5 tips to getting back into playing the flute: 

1 – Get your flute checked out by a good technician

2 – Find yourself a program- with a progressive structure

3 – Just get comfortable going back a level or two

4 – Remember that it’s time to step to the side and also be patient

5 – Find yourself a community of like-minded flute friends

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Podcast Transcript

Have you or someone you know taken some time off from playing the flute? Wondering what to do to effectively get back into the swing of things? 

No worries, you’re in the right place, and today we’re going to discover my biggest 5 tips for returning to flute after a long break. Let’s go!

 

I can’t believe it’s already the end of May! Oh my goodness, time is flying for me. You know, when I was younger I felt like the days lasted so long. Is that how you feel? I remember just hanging around waiting for rides to softball practice, or swinging on the swings for hours… or at least it seemed this way.

You know as we get older, and time just spins out of control sometimes, it’s good to know that we can do a few things to kind of rein it back in, if you will. We forget that we are ultimately in control of what we do and how we set up our lives in many moments anyway. 

Not all moments, but as an overall thought, we really can take what we want to do and we can do it.

So this is one reason I am excited about today’s subject for this episode: which is all about what it takes to get back into flute playing after taking a hiatus.. Which for some could mean two or three months and for others it could mean ten, twenty, thirty, or even forty years of being away from music and our instrument.

 

If any of these remind you of yourself or someone you know, then you’re especially in the right place today because, I have a wonderful, concise little list for you that will really help out, and give you the tools you need to jump back into flute playing with much greater success and ease by discovering my big 5 tips for returning to flute after a long break (as I just described).

 

So, with that being said, let’s dive right into it!

 

Glad to have you here, I’m Rebecca Fuller, your friend and instructor of all things flute, and today we’re going to begin with number one on this list because, I first want you to feel proud that you’re returning to the flute. 

You know everyone has their different reasons for leaving for a while… sometimes it just started with a vacation, then an extended vacation, then work and kids get in the way, and then poof, there went ten or twenty years haha! It really happens!

And the most important thing is that you don’t worry or feel guilty about it because it’s just another one of the ways our life ebbs and flows, and the greatest news of all is that music is here for you, always. It’s been waiting patiently and, like a good puppy, it’s jumping for joy for you as it sees your return.

 

So let’s talk about it, and discover some reasons why someone, perhaps you, is choosing to pick up the flute again after a while. 

Think about it for a second. Is it the music? Is it the practice sessions? Or the guilt that you have a flute that’s not being used? Is it possibly a regret that you don’t feel you finished the way you started years ago? 

All of these are possibilities, but I’m guessing it’s way more than that. 

For me, when I was younger and I was playing the flute, and every day was a new adventure in learning, I vividly remember a few things – tell me if this is true for you: 

I don’t really remember many specific pieces of music or even too many performances or sessions, but I DO remember what I felt like. 

I remember having genuine friends with a shared love for music, and I remember that the music felt magical and I was like a sponge as far as my emotions went as I listened and played. It did something to me, and it still does today. 

Music has a way of reaching in and taking a hold of my heart and swinging it this way, and that way. 

It really is exciting and keeps me feeling alive. 

I love it, and this is something I identified many years ago. I love it. I love the emotion of music and how it makes me feel. 

I also like little challenges that can be worked on by myself that create the sense of achievement. This is one of the best ways to grow our self-esteem in life, anyway. 

So for me, this is the bottom line. And if I had long period of times away from it, I can realize that coming back to the flute and music is like a return to happiness.

 

So what is it for you maybe? 

Get to the root of the reason you’re returning. I think regret and guilt might be a reason to return, but they won’t really be a good reason to stay. So let’s think about it, and find the deep down reason. And perhaps you’ll figure out that you also are on a journey to return to happiness as well.

 

So let’s find out what we need to do to have a successful return no matter the reason and how long the hiatus has been.

 

It really does make sense to start with number one on the list here and mention that our flute .. you know, the instrument itself that will be the vehicle that we use to make music with.. We have to make sure that it is in good condition. So, it’s a really smart idea to have it checked out by a good technician. 

You know we can try as hard as we might, but if the flute has leaks, or other mechanical issues, it will be a source of frustration as we try to play. 

Our tone will be fuzzier than it could be, and our keys could be slower as well as other issues you may not have thought about, as instruments that have lay dormant for a long time in their cases, up in the closet, could possibly be growing some harmful bacteria inside and on them.

So, what to do?

 

Well, I’m glad you asked. We’ll want to, number one, get your flute checked out by a good technician

As I mentioned and if you don’t know where to find out, you’ll want to first do a search for local instrument stores and do your homework, because person who is trained and certified in the art of specifically flute repair, is going to be worth their weight in gold compared to a jack of all trades or band teacher type of person doing repair out of their home or something.

 

Returning your flute back to ‘spec’ as they call it, is important. And I will take a second to mention here that if your flute is super old, like something from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, or even the 80’s… be prepared for the technician to scrunch their eyebrows and tell you that it won’t be worth your while to have it fixed. But it depends on which flute you had to start with. 

Flutes really have evolved quite a bit over the years, and there are some brands and makes that are literally of such low quality, that it isn’t worth repairing. Basically, the long break will have preserved the look, maybe, but the mechanics of it could be completely totalled.

 

If this is the case, OR if you’re in a better financial position in life right now, you will want to strongly consider purchasing a brand new flute. This is actually what I recommend if you can do it anyway, because a brand new flute will do wonders for your excitement and it’ll be able to handle what you’re throwing at it, as you begin to play again.

 

If you’re in the US, and you’d like my help with your choices, I’d be glad to help you for sure. I know what to do. 

If you’re wishing for a super good, very solid, sounds great and is of high quality, student model flute, I’ll just put it out there right now that you should go for the Di Zhao 200 flute- and you can have the Flute Center of New York mail it right to you. Right away!  

And the mailing will be free- as long as you use my code here which is “LFO” (which stands for Learn Flute Online) – just tell them that your teacher is Rebecca Fuller and you have the code “LFO” and they’ll swing you a bunch of extra perks, and even allow you to do a trial of three flutes over a period of ten days or so of a few different flutes. It’s really quite great service. 

 

If you’re looking for a higher level flute than a student model flute though, I want you to hit me up – I am your gal and I’ll help you get the exact right, beautiful, high quality instrument that will last you years, and sound absolutely incredible as well.

 

Let’s go ahead and move on now to number two on our list of 5 tips for returning to flute after a long break.. 

No matter how long it has been, and if it’s been a significant amount of time you’ll want to go ahead and find yourself a program- with a progressive structure to it, so that you can get in and get yourself back up to snuff and having fun really soon.

 

There are tons of music books out there and little snippets of help here and there and all around the square, but if you truly want to save yourself time and energy and have the most fun, and the best results, you’ll need to be sure you have structure and direction. 

 And, I can point you straight to the best program I know on this entire planet for doing this at your stage, and that is to get yourself into the members area here at Learn Flute Online. We have the Gold Level which if full of all your fundamentals, we have intermediate and advanced. 

And because not only can you learn from your own home, at your own pace, and on your own schedule, but you will find the modules that are set up for you in perfect progressive order with all of the materials you need- the learning videos and the pdf sheet music, mp3’s etc. so that you can not waste any time doing what you’re setting out to do with your instrument. 

It’s the way to go, for sure. I’ve set this up to be the holy grail for flute learning. 

If you’re not already in as a member here, just go to learnfluteonline.com and click the button to get started. It’s easy, affordable, and I’m right there to hold your hand and show you the path to success.

 

So along with this number two of getting yourself into a convenient path to success (like the Learn Flute Online program), you’ll also have to consider what is number three on our list today: Which is to just kind of get comfortable going back a level or two, as you get going. 

In fact, I have found that basically everyone has a better time, and quicker learning progress, going back basically to the beginning, like the first modules, and moving stepwise through- so that you can have a quick and easy review as well as capture any skills you may have forgotten, or never learned before.

You know, if you first began your musical experience on flute in a band setting, you possibly and probably had like a trumpet or a clarinet teacher as your band instructor, and they were doing their darndest to give you a good education.. As well as the other sixty five kids in the band. 

Bless. Their. Hearts. 

It’s a big job, and when they received their degree in college, they were given a week or two introduction of each instrument in the band. So they can dabble a little bit on the flute, but you’ll find that there will be quite a few holes in what you learned, during those days with them.

 

No worries, never fear, I am here, and it’ll be super fun to show you how to navigate much more easily how to play the flute with ease and beauty.

 

I will show you (in detail) how to notice and analyze what you’re doing, so that you can continue to progress on your own as you follow the program here. 

Now, there are specific skills that I’ll point out to you that will make it so you can continue playing the music you love and sound better, and better on it each and every single month for the rest of your life. It’s that great!

 

And, it’ll be fun to help you identify styles you love, and get you playing right away. You can use the modules here for your learning and enjoyment, and also have the skills to play from books and other types of sheet music that you find and sound really, really wonderful. You know what you like! Let me help you sound fabulous on it.

 

So, let’s just do a little recap.  

Number one was to get your flute back into awesome shape and in proper working condition or go ahead and purchase yourself a new higher level, and in mint condition flute, so that you will have a good fighting chance at sounding as great as you have always dreamed of.

And number two was to find and join a program with a progressive structure so that you can jump in, and make quick progress towards your goals. 

You’ll be able to continue on and discover what you need, so that you can, number three, go through the levels (from the beginning or back a few levels) and return to your original glory with shiny new skills(it’s like an upgrade!) that will keep you on a trajectory towards improvement and sounding really great!

 

So that brings us to number four, which is to remember that it’s time to step to the side and also be patient. Be patient with yourself as you embark on this re-journey of musicianship with your flute. 

You know that as we play music we are always striving for perfection, but we have to also know that although we try to play and do everything right, it’s not really possible all the time. And especially right now and it’ll do us the best and keep us happier in learning, to not stress about it. 

Just trust the process I’ve set for you here and continue moving through the program at the pace you can. It’ll be perfect!

I offer fun challenges and extra excitement almost every month, to help you celebrate and enjoy what you’re discovering and practicing on your instrument. 

 

We do find so much enjoyment together here.. Which is the perfect segway into the last number on our list today of my 5 tips for returning to flute after a long break, which is (number 5)… is to find yourself a community of like-minded flute friends who are also on the same journey. 

They know what you’re doing because.. They’re doing it too! You never need to feel alone in learning. We’re here as an LFO community full of flutie friends who are bopping around in the members area, playing and learning new concepts and melodies, and we’re having a really great time.

 

We have an open mic area also where you can check out what the others are up to, and participate if and when you’re ready. It’s so much fun! Really, we have such a strong, safe bubble here where we feel safe, and welcome in our flute journey. And, of course – you’re welcome too!

 

When your skills are up to where you feel ready and a little bit more learn-ed, you can also join in with a group like a community band, or other type of ensemble where you can gain even more skills that will feed your desires and give you the confidence to continue on as you journey here at Learn Flute Online as well.

 

The possibilities really are endless, and I will help you discover these things as you continue to come back here, and into the members area at Learn Flute Online because… the flute is just so awesome. I know it, and you know it!

 

You know, coming back to the flute is one of the best things you can do for yourself. You remember some of the reasons you started in the first place, right? Like I mentioned earlier in the podcast here, it’s important to find your way back to happiness with direction and purpose. And, you’re in the right place!

Listening to the other podcasts I have here for you, in this series, is a great way to gain some inspiration as well as making sure to fill your ears and soul, with some really great music, and feelings this week to remind yourself of what you love and why. 

 

Let me know what your thoughts are, and if you feel I missed anything important today, as we discovered together: My big 5 tips for returning to flute after a long break- let me know! 

Until next time, have a be-fluti-ful day!

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I hope you’ve enjoyed these 5 tips for returning to flute after a long break.  Join us for the next episode!

Have any questions? Comment below and I will help you out.

Rebecca FullerRebecca Fuller
Get Flutie with us! Learn and enjoy every musical minute.

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