hi guys, i`m a pianist/clarinetist and am thinking of taking up the flute. went to ebay and saw tons of cheap flutes, so i decided something must be wrong and went to search for information on brands and stuff. i`m so glad i chanced upon this forum as you guys seem like really fun people. lots of advice on "what to look for when purchasing your first flute" too!

anyway what i really wanted to say was: are you people mostly in symphonic bands? or professional orchestras? i`m thinking that it`ll be hard for me to join any band seeing as i`m new. is there any fun in playing alone? it seems like pointless to just learn to play flute but not do anything with it...

I play in a symphonic band and a flute choir, but I also like performing solo pieces for flute. Reguardless of whether you join an ensemble or not, you would be spending time playing alone practicing and such, which can be fun too! well sometimes

I play in a professional Symphony, flute choir, church, community band, Wind Symphony, orchestra pit and play for several other occasions like weddings, at restaurants, funerals..you name it! Flute is my life.

Sort of an acoustic rock "jam band" here with all sorts of eclectic influences. I`m just getting to where I can solo and such; I`ve only been playing for about a year. I`ve been singing my whole life, which is my main position in the band, but I started working the flute in as another layer after I`d only been playing for a couple months.

www.tacb.net

Anyway, yeah, I think you`d find some sort of outlet. But I do have a lot of fun jamming with the local jazz radio station late at night.

I play at church (1800-2000 people per Mass)every Sunday, orchestra pit, weddings, funerals, school exhibits,and community orchestra.

If you think that that is a lot of people, try playing in a church where there are over 3000 people. Been there, done that.

Hey! I didn`t write that! These games are getting really rediculous!

I do and have done the following:

professional orchestra
pro theater/pit orchestra
opera orchestra
recitals
guest soloist
film soundtracks and other misc studio work
soloist on major cruise lines
clinician/soloist/consultant for a manufacturer of student flutes from asia
weddings, corporate gigs, funerals etc etc
church services
private teaching studio for 15 years
made several CD`s

Pretty impressive invovlvement for some people, but I am glad I have variety in my life. I get bored with one activity for too long, so I just play in the shower.

Lol! It is kind of sad when your whole life revolves around a flute. I am glad that I am also involed in other things that are ALL flute related. I have a life and I would like to keep it that way.

Some people choose to make flute playing a career choice. I would think it would be a difficult life, but then one could pursue teaching and do all those sidejobs.

I play in a flute choir and in my school`s band (yuck.) I have done a few solo performances before and I won a music festival.

Being new to flute won`t stop you joining a band. Some bands take in players of any ability and it helps you to develop as a player. One band I`m in is a concert and marching band and we`re very mixed abilities. The more inexperienced players get the benefit of having the better players there to help, and it`s good to be able to do that.

I`m also in a concert band at university, and the university symphony orchestra. Lots of variety and lots of fun!

I think the only way to make a living as a flute player is to pretty much make it your whole life, a labor of love.

I used to be an avid flute player... I miss it terribly. Due to improper teaching techniques when I first started I developed tendonitis in my wrists years later... end of my career. To make a point, since I can`t perform anymore, there is always private teaching when you become good enough. I`m now a stay-at-home mom, and to keep my flute in my life I teach from home! There`s always something to do when you know how to play another instrument... especially the feeling of accomplishment! Just please make sure that you handle the flute correctly... good luck! : )