Thinking about learning the flute as a 2nd instument?

Question

I always used to dream about playing a flute when I was younger, but I chose the clarinet because it has both low and high notes. I don't regret that decision and I have played the clarinet for 5 years now and now I started thinking about playing the flute again. (lolz I had a dream about it) I enjoy the clarinet, but I'm thinking of maybe trying the flute. I mean, I love the pretty sound it makes lol, (god, that's such stupid reasoning). I dunno, just wonderin' how hard it is to learn from like a lesson book or video or something. I know its different, but I was just wondering how hard the transition is and if it's not too hard to learn without lessons. (I took lessons in school for the clarinet, though I'm not doing band next year) I know it's better to have lessons, but how hard is it to learn and what's the price range for a NEW regular concert flute?

Answer 1

good choice! i play the flute and i'm learning the clarinet.

the flute is such a wonderful instrument. you really have to practice it though.  it isn't too hard to learn from a book or video, you just have to have somewhat of an idea of what you're doing. you should totally continue with band! good luck!

Answer 2

Go to Ireland, the Irish Flute (my Instrument) is possibly the most beautiful you can play. It was a good excuse to spend 3 months in Ireland... you can find out more

                   http://mysecretireland.com

- and good luck

Answer 3

omgosh. im in your exact situation.

my mom played the flute and so since we had one laying around i thought i was gonna end up playing that.

but...i chose clarinet. ive been playing for almost 7 years now. and i love it!!!!!!

then i decided that itd be so cool to be able to play the flute. like you said it can have a really pretty sound.

so i took my moms flute and a beginning book and i learned it like that! *snaps*  haha. but really. if its something you really wanna do then do it. im so glad i decided to learn it. :]

and i can tell you for a fact that its not that hard...to learn the basics....[im not a real flute player and i dont wanna offend any flute players by saying its easy...because more advanced stuff probably is!!]   but im not one to come home and practice everyday. trust me, i do everything to AVOID practicing.  and i learned how to play the flute.

so i advise the Standard of Excellence red book.

very simple to learn from. and not expensive.

as for price. i have no idea. sorry.

but from what ive seen walking around the music store we have here, new flutes arent cheap.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Answer 4

HI there.  The flute is not that difficult to learn to play and you don't necessarily have to take lessons since you have the knowledge of so much dealing with music but you do have to start from the beginning...  just like a sixth grader.  You will have to learn how to blow the instrument, and that will not be as easy as you think...  You are used to the clarinet embouchure and it is a 180 from flute embouchure.   I would not try to learn from a video but I do have a couple of suggestions.   The best book for beginning flute players is Rubank Elementary Method for Flute and Piccolo.  It has a fingering chart in the front of the book that you may refer to as you need to.   Now that it is summer,  you have plenty of time on your hands to try to practice at least half an hour a day.   Make it a point to do one lesson a week from the Rubank book.  Take your time and don't rush.  You did not learn clarinet in a couple of weeks and you won't learn flute any faster.   My other suggestion is that surely you have band friends that play flute.   Ask one of them to help you out with the correct technique of blowing into the flute and making a nice clear sound.   You will use 3 times the amount of air it takes to blow your clarinet to get a clear and full sound out of the flute.  You will need someone's help and a friend can help without the cost of flute lessons.   You asked about an instrument.  A used flute would be appropriate for you at this time.  And have a friend go with you to shop around for one.   A pawn shop is one suggestion.  You need the friend to be with you to look the instrument over and to play it to see if there are any leaks or other mechanical issues.  For a used beginner flute,  I would not pay more than $300.00 depending on the name brand.  Yamaha / Gemeinhardt / Armstrong / Pearl are ones that I would recommend to you.   Open hole or closed hole flute does not matter.  That would be your personal preference but I always start my students out on a closed hole.  Hope I was able to help and I encourage to try the flute.  You will like it.

Answer 5

Yes go for it Ive been playing piano for 4 yrs and my new bf he plays the cello and since i want major in music im goin to take lessons ya it will e different but what the c**p it is awesome you brought this up Good Luck

Answer 6

if you can learn one instrument, you can learn them all!

you just need to practice p r a c t i c e PRACTICE!

it's very good to play more then one instrument.

it makes you musically diverse.

try talking to your band director to ask him to help you find a new flute. our band director helps us.

Answer 7

beginner flutes are about $200- $800

i suggest you get a second hand flute, it's much much cheaper just make sure it's in decent shape.  

i don't think you should try to learn from a video.  The embouchure is completely different from the clarinet.  And it only sounds pretty if you have good tone, which of course comes from a good embouchure.  

it's hard to learn. it may take a week or so just to get a sound out of it.  

Best of luck to you!!