Is it at all possible for me to catch them up on flute?

Question

I used to play flute, 2 years ago but never practised and could only play a few notes. I started again 6 weeks ago and am now about grade 2 level. I've got GCSE music in two years and although it isn't essential because I can sing for the practical (the teacher listened and said it'd be ok) it would be useful to be at least grade 4. I practise 30mins per day, do you think it's possible to go up 2+ grades in two years? I've gone up the two grades in six weeks but they obviously get harder higher up. Or if it is possible, is it possible to catch up with people who are grade 4 now? Cos my friend is taking grade 4, but she's been playing for 5 years and doesn't really practise. Is it possible with really hard work and practise to play at the same standard as her?

Answer 1

If you aren't already, see if you can find a professional (or at least more advanced) flutist to take a few private lessons with. Having someone pay special attention to your weaknesses and helping you to overcome them with professional advice can help you to advance very quickly! Much more quickly than if you try to do it all on your own.

Other than that, it's very hard to say. Everyone needs to practice a different amount. Some people need to practice hours and hours a day to progress; others get away with practicing very little and advance at the same rate. Everyone's brain works differently, so there's no one-size-fits-all answer here.

The important thing is to find a practice routine that is effective for you. You have some goals in mind already, which is fantastic, so now you need to figure out how to achieve them. This is where a professional flute teacher could be of great help to you. He/She could help you figure out specifically what to practice and how to practice it. For example, what kind of warm-up exercises should you do? How should you be practicing your scales and other fundamentals? What can you do to develop better breathing technique and tone quality? Do you have any bad technique habits that are holding you back that you should focus on immediately? Should you be working on etudes and studies as well as concert pieces? Do you need to work on your sight-reading, intonation, or other basic musicianship skills?

These are some of the questions you need to answer in order to figure out where you stand now with respect to your final goal. You can then adjust your practice routine accordingly. Sometimes it isn't about how *long* you practice, but how *well* you practice.

Answer 2

Hello....  It is really imperative for you to get a private lesson teacher.  If it is a bit expensive for your budget,  you might call to see if you could do lessons bi-monthly...  two lessons a month, instead of once a week.   If you don't know what materials that will give you the best and fastest development,  you will not make it to your goal.   That is what the teacher is for... to direct you and to challenge you to your fullest capability.    A professional teacher knows the best exercises,  the best scales,  the best etudes and solos to assign which will strengthen your playing skills.  You will be expected to practice and get back to your lesson prepared and ready for a new challenge.   You absolutely cannot do this for yourself.   I teach advanced flute students... but they were not advanced when they came to me.  My job is to take my students  from point A to point B.  As a teacher,  I work with students in a team relationship....  we have to work together to accomplish the goal..    I advise students to take lessons once a week ad practice at least 60 minutes a day but if they could only come twice a month,  that would be better than no lessons, as I still get to measure their progress and expand their development.   This is not something they, themselves even know how to do.   So that is my advice to you.  Hope I was able to help.  Good Luck and you do have time to improve if you have direction.   Thanks for reading.

Answer 3

it should be possible. it sounds like you already have the basic flute playing technique there so i think you should be able to teach yourself. get yourself abracadabra flute. it teaches upto grade 3 so once you can play all the stuff in there you'll probably find you're about the same standard as your friend if you practise regularly

go for it!

x x x

Answer 4

Practice more. My sister and I (she plays clarinet, I'm a flute) practice 30 minutes a day just to get our lesson down. Maybe an hour a day would be better =]