Talking Flutes

Gosh we made it! Join us as we celebrate our 300th episode of Talking Flutes! In this special podcast, we'll reveal the secrets behind our success and share some behind-the-scenes stories from our journey as flutists and podcasters. Whether you're a flute player, a musician, or just a fan of podcasts, you won't want to miss this episode! When we began the Talking Flutes podcast over 6 years ago, w...

Taming the Musical Control Freak: Unleashing Creativity and Achieving Musical Excellence! As we all know, music, a universal language that transcends boundaries and stirs the soul, has the power to evoke emotions, inspire creativity, and connect us on a deep level. For many musicians, even if you don’t do if professionally, it becomes a lifelong passion, demanding dedication, practice, and a relen...

To make the contrabass sound when you want you sometimes have to hit the notes two measures away 😂 This week at a very noisy NAMM Show, the worlds biggest musical instrument and technology show in Anaheim, California, Jean-Paul speaks with flute player, educator, repairer, maker and self confessed flute nerd Dr Keith Hanlon about 'The Flute Examiner' free resource for all flute players along with...

"Failure is feedback - feedback is knowledge - knowledge is power!" This week Clare is talking about the role of teachers, hobbies and mentorship. Listen to the complete 8 minute podcast and you'll hear Clare (retired Flute Professor at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London) making you a wonderful offer!! 'Talking Flutes', Talking Flutes Extra' and 'Bitesize' are podcast productions by...

Welcome to an exploration into the profound world of mindfulness. This practice, celebrated as a remedy for the strains of our modern lives, has gained significant popularity. But, as musicians, it's crucial to scrutinise the claims surrounding mindfulness and discern how it seamlessly intertwines with our musical journeys. In this Talking Flutes 'Bitesize' podcast, we embark on a quest to demysti...

"Tension and release draws the audience in and unlocks the narrative of the piece you're playing..." This week on 'Talking Flutes Extra' Jean-Paul speaks with the fabulous musician, flute player, composer and educator Hadar Noiberg. During this nearly hr long podcast they cover so many areas of performance and practice from 'Finding your authentic flute voice' through to the need to "open your hea...

The joy of being a flute player! Being a flute player is a journey filled with joy, self-expression, and personal growth. As musicians, we embark on a unique path that allows us to create beautiful melodies and connect with the world through our music. However, the joy of being a flute player can sometimes be overshadowed by self-doubt and the temptation to compare ourselves to others. In this bit...

Take action! DO NOT simply have plans and dreams!   As a musician it's vitally important that we are specific when we're setting new goals and intentions for our flute playing.  Having ideas and dreams remain just 'ideas & dreams' unless you 'Take Action'!  This week on our 7th Annual New Year episode, Jean-Paul is summoned (with a post NY eve party headache) down to Clare's family home to rec...

How much should I practice over the festive period? In this 7th Festive episode (Podcast #292), gosh this is actually the 7th annual Christmas Talking Flutes podcast that we've made, Jean-Paul and Clare cover some of the flute playing questions that you've sent in.  They also speak about what they will be doing over the festive period, including the obligatory jigsaw. The opening and closing 'Jing...

The pitfalls and solutions to over thinking! As musicians, it really easy to fall in to the trap of setting up a recursive loop pattern of over thinking.  It could be about a difficult piece or passage that is causing us issues, a past performance or something that's happening in our lives outside of music, which is then having a major impact on it! In this short podcast, which includes a short cr...

Revamp your flute journey by diving into the latest episode of "Talking Flutes" with Jean-Paul and Clare down in Hove (south of England), unraveling the many mysteries of setting up your very own flute studio. Join the conversation with them both as they tackle more intriguing questions from fellow enthusiasts. Discover the liberating yet occasionally frustrating aspects of establishing your flute...

The importance of being in the moment! Music has the remarkable ability to transcend time and space, inviting us to journey through emotions and stories crafted by composers. When a musician steps onto the stage, they become the conduit through which these emotions flow, seeking to communicate with their audience on a profound level. However, achieving this connection requires more than technical...

Is Josh the ultimate flute nerd? This week Jean-Paul meets up with flute player and multi-instrumentalist Josh Johnson who has traded New York for London, to ask him flute questions that have been sent in by listeners. 1. Is there a G.O.A.T? 2. What makes a flute nerd? 3. What's the most special flute you've played? 4. Who are your five favourite flute players? 5. Why do people get upset with vibr...

Don't listen if you're driving!! This week is a very different podcast and one that whilst it has been requested quite a few times by listeners, we have been at a loss as to how to actually work it in. You see, many of our listeners catch-up each week on their way to work in the car, train or walking.  This podcast should not be listened to if you are driving or walking as we've succumbed! This we...

"Don't be stuck to the music stand!" This week on Talking Flutes Clare speaks once again with the fabulous Elizabeth Walker about finger technique.  Amongst many important topics, they explore why technique is only as good as your sound, correct hand positioning, discuss open vs closed holes and speak about the why controlled relaxation allows movement. A really important and interesting pod which...

Exploring Tonal Colours & Expression!  Music is a universal language that transcends boundaries, evokes emotions, and communicates feelings that words often struggle to convey. At the heart of this communication lies the concepts of tonal colours and expression, essential elements for musicians to effectively communicate their musical narratives. For flute players, mastering tonal colours and...

Why you should always ask for a fee and ignore the "It will be good for your profile line!" This week on 'Talking Flutes', Clare and Jean-Paul are walking along a windy Brighton Beach in the south of England answering more questions from listeners. Subjects such as: 1. Respecting yourself and your craft = asking for a fee! 2. Is it possible to become a good flute player if you start later in life?...

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's 'Flight of the Bumblebee' stands as one of the most recognisable and enduring compositions in classical music. This frenetic and virtuosic piece, originally part of his opera "The Tale of Tsar Saltan," has captured the imagination of both musicians and audiences for over a century. Its rapid tempo, intricate melodies, and technical demands showcase the composer's ingenuit...

Is honesty the best policy? In Talking Flutes this week, Jean-Paul and Clare are sitting outside the coffee shop in the seaside town of Hove in Southern England answering more questions from listeners. They look at 'False Expectations' and the role of teachers in guiding, the inclusion of popular music in a recital performance and ask the question "Can you tell if a young flute player has the X fa...

How cultivating happiness improves performance and inspires change. For musicians, the pursuit of excellence often takes centre stage, but equally important is the ability to find happiness in the musical journey. In this essay, we will explore strategies to cultivate happiness among musicians, enabling them to derive greater enjoyment from their performances. By understanding the link between hap...

Creative visualisation is a potent mental tool that allows individuals to harness the power of their imagination to achieve their goals and aspirations. For musicians, this practice can be transformative, leading to enhanced performance, improved creativity, and heightened self-confidence. By engaging in guided visualisation techniques, musicians can tap into their inner potential and unleash thei...

This might be quite contentious however the process of positive thinking may be an anchor when you've done the work, however it's certainly not the panacea! Positive thinking, often championed as a cornerstone of personal development and success, has gained widespread popularity as a tool for overcoming challenges and achieving goals. For musicians, maintaining a positive mindset might seem essent...

"Wearing red socks is the least of your problems!" Natural movement Vs waving around? In the part two of the podcast recording where Jean-Paul and Clare meet in a coffee shop in the seaside town of Hove, they catch up with more questions and comments from listeners.  Can there be 'excessive' movement on the flute and what's the correct angle to have the flute when playing? 'Talking Flutes', 'Talki...

Curiosity is a powerful driving force that fuels the creative endeavours of musicians. As a musician, cultivating and embracing curiosity can lead to a plethora of benefits, from personal growth to artistic exploration. In this bitesized pod, we will delve into the profound ways in which curiosity can enhance the musical journey. By examining how curiosity fuels musical creativity, fosters innovat...

The iconic "Syrinx" by Claude Debussy is a piece for solo flute that has captivated audiences and flute players alike since its composition in 1913. It is one of the most iconic and frequently performed works in the flute repertoire, known for its hauntingly beautiful melodies, rich harmonies, and innovative use of the flute as a solo instrument. But what is the narrative behind this piece? What s...