Hello everyone. I have uploaded my first flute video to YouTube. I have played the flute for 25 years but in the last five years I have not played because of depression. Recently I decided to play again and I recorded myself playing Danny Boy. My psychologist listened to it and he did not react the way I thought he would. I explain it in the video.

I would appreciate it if you guys could visit this link and comment for me. I tend to be a "glass half empty" thinker and his not so positive reaction has caused me to second-guess my abilities. So basically this is a social experiment for me to hear what people think of my playing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUDTvHGDIm8

Thanks,
Amy

very very nice playing, would love to hear it with harp...don't be afraid to take time with it and let it breathe more..

Wow, quite a lovely tone! So nice to hear its so pure!

And I love that you didn't over use vibrato =D

Very well done!

Beautiful! Music is a wonderful outlet for your feelings and I wouldn't let anyone criticize your playing ... or your interpretation. Keep playing - its probably better (and cheaper) therapy for you!

Really nice playing, and if you hadn't mentioned it I for one would not have picked you hadn't been playing for five years.

I think you play very musically and expressively, and have captured the melancholy feel very well without overdoing it.

Keep playing! Play lots! If you are playing for your own pleasure, it doesn't matter what ANYBODY else thinks of your playing just as long as you enjoy it yourself!!

Oh, thank you all so much. I have really been feeling down about this whole thing. I guess that's part of the reason I'm still in therapy. My doctor said this to me, and although he's not a flutist it still hurt my feelings and made me want to put the flute away again. I'm so glad I decided to step out and post that video. YouTube might be cheaper therapy, huh? LOL

the greatest thing about music is that it lifts you up when you are down and lifts you even higher when you are up...

Amy,

I listened to your YouTube posting. I thought it was very nice.
Do I think it could be better yes, but it was very nice nonetheless. I think there is quite a bit of potential there. It is certainly better than what you are implying the Psycho thought it was. If he is a psychologist I don't think he is very good one - perhaps is became a psycho because he didn't do well in music class. I think his comments about your playing are incorrect. (And I have a fair amount of psychology courses on my college credits). Regardless well done and good for you having the guts to post it.

If you were my student and I was to critique it this is what I would say. . . .
The tone is good, the fingering nice and the articulation good. I would like to see the articulation match the fingering. And I think you can make this happen easily. Play the piece as you did on the recording I listened to. Then play the piece again but this time before playing the next note wait until the very last moment that you can to change to the next note. You are not changing the tempo just wait as long as you can without being late. I think this will synch your tonguing and fingering together. Record it and see if you hear a difference. I think you will and I think you will love it. Give it a try.

As far as your glass being half empty - yours is definitely more than half-full.

John

If I may,
This playing isn't without being from the heart. Performing is in one respect like acting, you don't exactly have to be angry to display anger.......if you are good at it. I don't know the motivation behind a psychologist's comments but they don't appear to be positively oriented. I'd keep away from that person. Make more recordings. They improve your flute playing.

I loved your rendition of Danny Boy!!! Very, very nice!!