Professional Flute career ??

Question

I'm wanting to take my flute playing to the next level and wanting to go professional. i have already played "superior" solos in state contests (as a freshman) and this year will attempt all-state. I'm already studying extended techniques such as souble tounging, multi-phonics, singing while playing, and have already got a wonderful vibrato. I just wanna know things i need to do to really suceed in this industry. :]

Answer 1

So - what does your private teacher say?  You MUST be studying privately if you intend to be a serious applicant to any decent college of music.  I am a professional flutist, certified teacher, and judge of state competitions - and just because you got into All-State, does NOT mean you are good enough to major in music in college!!!!  That might comes as a shock to you, but those contests - that I judge - are to select the best kids that are coming out of school programs.  Let's say there are 24 flutes accepted for all the All-State groups in your state that year.  NOT ALL of them are good enough to pass an audition for a top conservatory, are they?  Some will not WANT to major in music, and some will only be good enough to get into a local state school.  If you are serious about a CAREER as a flutist, you darn well better have a degree or MORE from the TOP places in the US - or the world.  And - are your academic grades TOPS?  They better be . . .

To really discuss more seriously, you should join Yahoo Groups FLUTENET - there are over 3,00 of us there.  From that point, we can send you to other all-flute discussion lists of VERY high caliber.   Is your private teacher a member of the National Flute Association?   GO check out their website.  

Please write back with more info - or join FLUTENET and take this farther *there*.  I wish you luck - but this is SERIOUS.

Answer 2

HI Jesse,

It is great that you have aspirations of being a professional flutist... as that is where great flutists are born but it takes way more than a few superior solos and a trip or two to All State to realize your dreams.

As mentioned in the earlier answer....  surely you are studying with a good flute teacher or teachers?  If not, you need to be and you should be working DAILY on things like tone study from the Wye book or Moyse books (as each register needs months/years of concentrated and dedicated practice), high register studies,   harmonics, nuances and whistle tones, your vibrato,  all your scales / chromatics / arpeggios,  flexibility and technique, articulation, double-tonguing / triple tonguing, pitch and intonation, bending your notes.  You should be playing/practiing  exclusively with a metronome AND a tuner.  You should be studying etudes from Berbiguier, Anderson, Karg-Elert among others.  And then of course, your major solo and concert pieces as well as orchestral excerpts.  Do you incorporate sight reading at the end of every practice session?   Double tonguing is not an extended technique, at least in my estimation it is not... as I have my 11 and 12 year old students double tongue  - even triple tongue - in the 6th grade and as far as singing while playing....  which music or flute piece asks for that?   Just because you have a great vibrato :)) does not mean that you should be feeling confident... you must put in at least 15 minutes a day practicing and improving it.  

You may not be doing all of these things... as most highschoolers don't,  but you will in college and this is where you will really begin blossoming into a serious flute player.

At least here in Texas, anyone who has the desire and talent can major in music once you get into college...   And once you do get into the music program in college... it is here that you will be taking your flute playing to the next level...  and 20 levels past that.   I always tell my students, even my seniors in high school that they are still baby players in comparison to the level of professional flute players.

I don't think anyone here is trying to discourage you....  but  show you just what it takes to get where you want to go.   You have to pay your dues... as once you reach that level where you can audition for professional positions in orchestras....  there might be 500 applicants for "1" opening and you have to be 300X better than "superior" to win that position.  The "industry" is not for the faint of heart, to be sure.

Decide to put your mind into the flute.  Decide to sacrifice the time you would be going to the movies or to the mall with friends.  Decide to eat and sleep flute.  Decide to dedicate yourself to accomplishing your dream and decide that nothing but being the best will do... for you.

Don't become over confident... as I have seen snooty little high school flute players lose All-State by several chairs and run down the hall boo-hooing.   What I am saying is Don't Get Full of Yourself as there is always someone better.

Just work harder than hard  -  Get a great teacher - and find a good advanced flute that will aid in your continued development.

Sincere and Best wishes to you.

Thanks for reading.

Answer 3

you should try something that is completley you....but keep up the tech. stuff too. sounds like your serious cause I play the flute but not hard core as you. just do something that makes you stick out from the crowd...in a good way. Keep Rockin!