LFP 041 | The Art of Practicing Part 2

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LFP 041 | The Art of Practicing Part 2

Learn Flute Podcast SHOW NOTES:

In this episode, you will learn more about the art of practicing and the importance of being positive as you practice.

This is the Learn Flute Podcast Episode 041.

Yeah!  

You’ll learn:

What this podcast will be all about

  • Information on this podcast is supplemental to LearnFluteOnline.com
  • A review from The Art of Practicing Part 1
  • A real life experience from a fellow flute student
  • A reminder of the reason you started playing flute
  • What you can look forward to learning from listening

Learn Flute Podcast 041

Press the Play Button to Listen Now:

Well hello again, it’s me Rebecca the expert and instructor of all things musical relating to the instrument flute and how to play it really well. Today we’re going to be continuing our discussion from last week’s audio podcast titled “The Art of Practicing”. This is part 2 and I can’t wait to get started!

Let’s get going today because I’m really, really excited. I’ll start by taking a side note first to say that it’s a little bit difficult to sit in my office and record an audio discussion when I’m really the only one sitting here! I want to let you know that I come up with these ideas and topics because of the great comments and questions I receive from this Learn Flute community both in my studio here in Utah and also from you online. 

It’s great! Haha, today I actually have one of my good friends and flute student in the room right now, and so I’m thinking as I put these ideas out to you that she is also in on the conversation. It’s all about practice and how to shift gears so that it’s more about your heart than your mind- part two.  Sound good? Great.

Last time we talked about the general subject here where Learning to be a real musician takes time for sure, and the large doses of patience in practicing it takes to get where we want to be.

We then talked about the image some people have of what it takes to really practice something- is it hunching over and sweating over the music stand? Well, that’s what we’re here to find out.

We then discussed the bubble we all need to create in order to have time and space to breathe, I mean really breathe and relax so we can get clear on what the task at hand is. This is the first step to keep any tense feelings out of our special practice time.

As I present these different practice skills and approaches you may find them valuable to all different walks of your life- not just when you’re practicing the flute. We have to become students of different types of learning to become truly successful at what we desire.

I’m here to encourage you, teach you, and be your biggest expert-cheerleader as you continue on this quest of learning. Trust me- I’ll get you there!

I want to start today by reading a comment I received from one of my premium online students. This is from Tim, and he writes:

I had to write about something that occurred to me a couple nights ago. My wife and I saw a performance by a Symphony Orchestra. It was fantastic. However, I was disappointed to see that the two flutists who performed the 1st two pieces, held their flutes at an angle toward the floor.

After the intermission the principal flutist performed. Now his flute remained parallel to the floor, not tilted toward the floor as the others. I couldn’t help thinking, ‘this is why he is the principal’.

Thank you so much for being my teacher.” Blessings, Tim

Well, you’re very welcome, and thank you Tim for bringing up this important subject right up front today. It’s perfect for what I had chosen for the topic.

Aside from the fact that the positioning of the flutes was different for all three of the flutists mentioned here in this message, I’m wondering if you’ll all take time to create a visual in your mind just for a minute here. Imagine seeing the full orchestra in all their glory up on stage in uniform black and white outfits. The sound is of course- awesome, now take time to use your zoom lense and find the flute section. Do you see those two flutists there? 

Yup, the ones hunched over their stands with their flutes pointing at the floor as if they are trying to hide or blend in with the clarinets. Now, in comes the soloist for the evening bouncing as he walks with a giant grin on his face as he acknowledges the audience. He then signals the entire group that he is ready to begin by bringing his flute up in a confident, parallel (and comfortable looking) position. Throughout the entire heartfelt performance he is waving ever so slightly as to lightly and gently direct the background to his glorious moment. Ahhh, now doesn’t that feel nice?

I hope you painted this picture well because it’s common. I’m sure all of these flutists are very talented, awesome players and I don’t want to discredit their accomplishment. But now I want to take the focus off of other flute players and bring the orchestra home to you as you are pulling yourself together for a productive hour of practice. 

Which flutist type are you? Not only does science and good body bio-mechanics say that you shouldn’t spend your next hour tipped to the side and all tense, but I hope you will strive to have that little bounce in your walk as you head towards your practice space singing  “I’m going to do what I love right now” song in your heart.

In the lesson modules on the Learn Flute Online website, I take you through exactly- and I mean exactly what it takes to have the right body positioning to ensure proper and easy breathing. When you’re in an environment where you have your bubble created and your body all aligned correctly then there are certain tensions that just won’t be there. It’s kind of like you’ve done everything it takes to invite the music angels to your home and keep the stress away instead.

I hope this conjures up some new images for you today as you work towards your goals. I’m here to help you and can’t wait to take you to the  next step.

The last thing I want to mention today is an assignment I have for you. I’d love it if we’d all take the week or weekend and try to remember what it was that inspired us in the first place to pick up the flute. What was it that sparked something inside us that gave us the desire to take action on the idea that we could learn to play the flute? What moment was the turning point from, “That would be nice” to “I think I’ll try to do that”?

Once we have that in mind we’ll be ready for the next audio I’ll have prepared for next time.

Again, I’m Rebecca Fuller – the expert here at Learn Flute Online helping you through all things flute saying, I’ll see you in your next lesson!!

 

Thank you for Tuning In!

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I hope you’ve enjoyed learning all about the flute and learn more about the art of practicing and the importance of being positive as you practice.  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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