Hi everyone. I have been off the forum for a few weeks. I haven't been able to play my flute for a long time because it turns out I have walking pneumonia. I thought it was just my asthma acting up until I finally went to the doctor for a new inhaler. It will probably be a month before I can play again. I am very bummed. Any tips for keeping on track with lessons while I can't actually play?

On another note my daughter was SO thrilled to get a new flute for Christmas. (thanks to Kara) I got it on video and if I can figure out how to upload it online I will share it with you all.

Marie, I am so sorry! Just be sure to take care of yourself so that you don't relapse or get a secondary infection.

When I can't play due to breathing issues (which are significant)or when I injured my shoulder, I "play" pieces in my head while fingering them on my flute. It's almost like the visualization that athletes go through, but it's "auditorilization" if I can coin a word.

I don't hold the flute up to my lips, but rather keep it down near my lap. It may be a very simple technique (a hallmark of a simple mind!?!), but it seems to work well for me. It keeps the "muscle memory" going for the technical aspects of a piece.

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P.S. I'm so happy for your daughter!

If you already have your video on the computer all you have to do is upload it to a file sharing site, then post the link onto one of your posts here. If your video is not on the computer, you will have to upload it onto the computer with either a USB cord or a special cable that fits into your computer. Read the instruction. Alternativly, you can hook the video camera uo to the tv and record it onto a D.V.D, then you can copy the movie from the D.V.D onto the computer and then put it online. If this doesnt help, just go to BestBuy or something and ask them how to do it.

Hi Marie,
I am so sorry to hear that you are sick. I think Kippsix's idea is very good. I sure do hope you get well fast. Glad to hear that your daughter really likes the flute.

I hope you recover pretty soon.
Sometimes when it is too late at night and normal playing could be disturbing to family or neighbors, but I still feel the need to play something, I just finger the piece or the scales without blowing or doing it very, very softly.
Then I imagine the music...
Or I do the same while listening to the piece on my Ipod.