Talking Flutes

Music, a universal language that transcends boundaries, has the power to evoke emotions, connect people, and ignite the imagination. Musicians, the creators and conduits of this expressive art form, often find themselves grappling with the paradoxical impulse to compare their work to that of others. In a world inundated with constant stimuli and comparisons, embracing a mindset of non-comparison c...

What musicians can learn from golf pros! In Talking Flutes this week, Clare Southworth speaks with PGA golf professional Ryan Fenwick about his journey from player to top coach and how there are many similarities with Clare's own path from performer to flute professor. Not only personal similarities but also ways in which musicians and golf professionals approach their work and practice.  There ar...

How to fast tongue on the flute plus an easy hack! The flute as we know (this is a flute podcast after all) is such a beautiful and versatile instrument. One important aspect of flute playing is articulation, which involves controlling the initiation and termination of notes to create distinct and precise musical phrases. Now I know that we’ve done some pods on the subject of tonguing, and why art...

"Making musicians human to non musicians!" "It's vital that flute players understand the importance of blending" This week on Talking Flutes, Jean-Paul speaks with the brilliant Catriona Ryan - Principal Flute and flute section leader of the National Symphony Orchestra based in Dublin, Ireland. During the podcast they speak about many subjects including the interest of the pre-concert talk to the...

The flute genius that was Theobald Boehm! This week we’re going to take a very brief look at one of the most influential figures in the evolution of the modern flute, Theobald Boehm. The flute as we know is an ancient instrument.   A musical instrument that has a rich history, with various advancements and innovations over the centuries. Among the many influential figures in its evolution, Theobal...

Lizzo vs Sir James Galway  In 'Talking Flutes' this week Clare and Jean-Paul go walkabout in the seaside home town of Clare.  Subjects on the discussion table this week include the effect that Lizzo is having on the flute world and raising the profile of the instrument compared go the stratospheric effect that Sir James Galway had on the flute back in the 70's & 80's. They also catch-up on the...

Fear is a natural human emotion that can affect anyone, including as many of us would have experienced…musicians. It can manifest in various ways, such as stage fright, fear of failure, fear of judgment, or fear of not meeting expectations. When left unchecked, fear can hinder us from performing to our full potential and limit our growth as an artist. However, by understanding and addressing the u...

Liberating Your Power of Individuality and Why Musicians Should Embrace Their Unique Journey  The world of music is a diverse tapestry, woven with countless individual threads, each carrying its own unique expression and style. However, amidst this rich tapestry, musicians often find themselves trapped in the relentless cycle of comparison. In this podcast Jean-Paul will briefly explore the detrim...

Performance anxiety is a common experience among musicians, regardless of their skill level or stage of career. The pressure to deliver a flawless performance in front of an audience or examiner can trigger a range of physical and psychological symptoms that hinder musicians from reaching their full potential. In this bitesize pod, we’ll explore the nature of performance anxiety, its impact on mus...

Do you move too much when you are playing? This week on Talking Flutes, Clare and Jean-Paul look at three questions which have been sent in by listeners. 1. What do we think about musicians moving around when playing? 2. Blind or open auditions to increase diversity 3. Flute sustainability Please rate and like Talking Flutes with whatever provider you are listening on and keep sending in your flut...

This week we’re taking a very brief look at the iconic Louis Lot Flute Company and their legacy of excellence and innovation. The first Lot flutes were made in 1855 and over 168 years later, Louis Lot flutes have earned a reputation for their exceptional craftsmanship, exquisite tonal quality, and outstanding performance capabilities. In this brief pod, we’ll very briefly delve into the fascinatin...

What does a Monty Python, London Cockney, Shakespeare, a French composer, a pirate, an alien, a member of the British aristocracy, Star Wars, and the Talking Flutes Podcast all have in common? This week on Talking Flutes Extra, Jean-Paul has really gone off at a tangent and must have had too much rain on his head when he was on holiday last week!  You're going to have to listen if you want to find...

Do you cause your own performance, practice and goal setting problems? In Talking Flutes Bitesize podcast this week, Jean-Paul briefly looks at the importance of getting out of our own way to succeed in our musical life. Many of us have faced situations in our lives where we have felt stuck, unable to move forward or achieve our goals. Sometimes, the biggest obstacle standing in our way is ourselv...

Bringing Berio's Sequenza to Life! This week on Talking Flutes, Clare and Jean-Paul will be addressing additional questions sent in by podcast listeners. To cultivate and enhance your musical growth, it is crucial for you to consistently venture beyond classical music and delve into the diverse music of other cultures and styles. The profound impact of this exhilarating exploration into different...

As musicians, we all want to deliver the best possible performance, but sometimes nerves or distractions can get in the way. Creative visualisation is a technique that involves using mental imagery to create or recreate experiences in our minds. By visualising a particular scenario or outcome, we can help prepare ourselves for it and increase the chances of it happening in reality.  Creative visua...

Yes you too can fall in love with playing the piccolo! This week on Talking Flutes, Jean-Paul speaks with Egor Egorkin, the Principal Piccolo player of the Berliner Philharmonika. In this insightful episode, Egor speaks about the process of creating a balance of pitch and emotion, how practicing whistle tones can really help your piccolo practice,  and the importance of finding the right colour in...

Creativity is a key component of human experience. It enables us to approach problems and challenges in unique and innovative ways, to see the world from different perspectives, and to express ourselves through various forms of art and self-expression. Unfortunately, many of us believe that creativity is a rare talent reserved for artists and musicians, or that it's something we're born with or wi...

Memory, tablet or sheet music? Do you need to study music theory or can you focus solely on your practice? In 'Talking Flutes' podcast this week, Clare and Jean-Paul begin a 5 part discussion around many questions which have been sent in by listeners over the past few months. Follow us on social media at FB and IG @talkingflutes and please give us a 'Like' and a rating on whatever podcast provider...

Do you need some strategies to unlock your musical creativity or are you experiencing a block? Creative blocks can be caused by many factors including stress, fatigue, lack of inspiration or even interest in what you are doing!   In this short Bitesize podcast this week, Jean-Paul talks about how basic self-care strategies can help to break down any block you are experiencing.   'Talking Flutes',...

"Make everybody you meet be curious about you!" "Everything in life that we do, we should do with intention!" In this episode, Jean-Paul speaks with flute player, author, managing agent and marketeer Morgan Pappas about her change of career.  From flutist to Artist Agent and what made her make such a leap in to a new world!  We also cover her brilliant new e-book 'How To Be Your Own Agent' and why...

Do you have any external or internal self-limiting factors that may be preventing you from achieving your musical goals. A growth mindset is a belief that your abilities can be realised through dedication and hard work. In this short 'Bitesize' episode, Jean-Paul looks at how developing a structured and realistic growth mindset will help to point you in the right direction to success. 'Talking Flu...

Tension stops resonance! In this insightful episode, Clare Southworth and Elizabeth Walker speak about three of the fundamentals of flute playing.  Projection - Resonance - Dynamics. How projection and loudness do not corollate and how projection is about using our bodies, as singer do! If you want your music to come alive, then the correct use of dynamics will make your music come alive! Talking...

Embrace imperfection: No performance is ever perfect This week on this Bitesize episode, we’re going to be looking at a few solutions and strategies for musicians who suffer from performance anxiety. If you're a musician who experiences nervousness or fear when performing in front of others, you're not alone. Performance anxiety is a common experience for many musicians, but the good news is that...

"Being present in the moment is where I am" Be open, flexible and not stuck in the "This is the only way I play this song" attitude! "You can't just jump in the water...you first have to figure out how to get to the water!' This week on Talking Flutes Extra, Jean-Paul speaks with the brilliant multi-instrumentalist, composer and member of Grammy Winning collective 'Snarky Puppy' during a break he...

The power of positive thinking in our musical lives! This week on Talking Flutes 'Bitesize', Jean-Paul takes a look a how positive thinking can impact on our lives.  There is also a specially composed and beautiful soundscape meditation included for all those who wish to explore the joy that being in the present brings. 'Talking Flutes', 'Talking Flutes Extra' and 'Bitesize' are podcast production...