The Flute Noob

A music (education) major who's only been playing for a year. Yes, I am crazy. Follow my journey!

[flute-etulf]

[flute-etulf]

in orchestra:

bassoonist: *squeaks almost all the notes in their solo*

conductor: *stops conducting*

conductor: ok bassoon, what is the problem???

bassoonist: oh yeah sorry my reed is dying

conductor: oh yeah i get it

conductor: after hearing that solo

conductor: part of me is dying too

[thingsmymusicprofessorssay-blog]

for all the kids who aren’t first chair

When I was in high school, I was often not first chair, or even in the top ensembles (we had five bands and five orchestras), despite 100% being the trombonist who practiced the most. I didn’t study with a private teacher until I was a senior, and though he encouraged me, I had some teachers who straight up did not. During my senior year- after I’d already gotten into all seven of the music schools I auditioned at- I had a band director tell me he was giving a specific part to a sophomore instead because I “wouldn’t be able to handle it.” On another occasion, a different band director told me he considered putting me in the top jazz ensemble, but ultimately decided “it wouldn’t be fair to the group.” Maybe those things were true at the time- I was a kid, and didn’t have any perspective. What I know now is that you never say something like that to a young musician trying their hardest, especially when you know that they’ve already chosen to pursue music as a career.

Fast forward five years. I have a music education degree from a prestigious conservatory, which I attended on a full-tuition scholarship. I’m the principal trombone in two regionally respected orchestras and a sub in another, one of which I’m touring Iceland with over the summer. I play gigs in the area for fun and for some extra money. Best of all, I’m a high school band director, and I’ll be damned if you ever catch some shit flying out of my mouth that’s about to emotionally damage one of my kids and discourage them from pursuing music.

Basically, welcome to high school band, where the rules are made up and the chairs don’t matter- but your perseverance to move past these things does.

[flute-etulf]

Trigger Words for Musicians:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Cut Time

• A# Minor

• Auditions

• Sightreading

[lulu-dragon28]

Cut time makes my brain explode . Especially if it’s cut time in a sight reading at an audition

[flute-etulf]

What if it was a cut time piece in A# Minor that you had to sightread for an audition... while you had carpal tunnel syndrome?

[flute-etulf]

Trigger Words for Musicians:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Cut Time

• A# Minor

• Auditions

• Sightreading

[flute-etulf]

This is the case at my local music store.

[sorryihavemarchingband]

so we have this new student teacher and he’s only worked with me twice but here’s a small list of stuff he’s said while helping:

“ohhhh a minuet i think i’m into-et”

“time to play the jazzy metal tube”

“have you ever heard some goooood bagpipes? let’s listen to some bagpipes. it’ll be our ten minute practice distraction”

“mmm the taste of a good reed. you know that feel?”

“this music is so lit. like more lit than a lamp.”

“play with confidence this isn’t an awkward encounter with your crush”

“doop-de-dooo i can’t hold a tuuuune”

[flute-etulf]

This is the teacher I aspire to be.

[the-flute-jesus]

[hothautbois]

but it’s pretty

[the-flute-jesus]

[flute-etulf]

Like if you’ve got an audition soon and you’re still procrastinating.

[flute-etulf]

I just remembered I can’t like my own post here so I decided to reblog it instead.

I was calling myself out when I made that post.

Not any of you.

I hate myself.

[flute-etulf]

Like if you’ve got an audition soon and you’re still procrastinating.

[classical-crap]

proof that I’m being a responsible musician today

[classical-crap]

everybody’s a critic

[flute-etulf]

But your practice room looks so nice! We’ve got these rooms the size of closets and they have the worst AC in 90+ degree weather. D:

[hayleyofparamore]

Reblog if music has had a positive impact on your life.

[artdecco80]

Reblog if music has had a positive impact on your life.

yes

[flute-etulf]

Let’s hope I’m not last chair this semester. :D

[flute-etulf]

Alphabet Tag

I can’t sleep even though I have to get up at an hour unsuitable for humankind tomorrow, but that doesn’t matter at this point because it’s already getting kinda late. Anyway, I saw @fluteytootandscream do this tag, and I was like hey, that looks like fun! So here we go!

A-age: 18

B-Birthplace: Pennsylvania

C-Current Time: 10:13pm

D-drink you last had: water (very exciting, I know)

E-easiest person to talk to: does my dog count?

F-favorite song: Modern: Zion by Kings Kaleidoscope, Classical: 1812 Overture (I know Tchaikovsky didn’t actually like the piece himself and it makes me sad every time I think about it.)

G-grossest memory: one time a kid in first grade got sick on his desk and it was like two seats away from me. It was pretty disgusting.

H-horror yes or horror no? Depends—it has to be good horror with decent backstory. It can’t just be lame jump scares for no reason. Horror is a genre in which you tell a story; it’s not like some haunted house. Okay, rant over.

I-In Love? Kind of getting over someone, so I guess not really?

J-Jealous of people? Not really, I don’t find that super productive.

OH MY GOSH THERES NO K!!! D:

L-love at first sight or walk by again? Walk by again, and maybe talk too. Oh and build a table. I feel like that would be a good bonding experience.

M-middle name: Danger

N-number if siblings: 1

O-one wish: I want 2011 memes to make a comeback. Y’know, the “y u no” style garbage? I miss that stuff.

P-person you called last: Prooooobably my mom

Q-question you are always asked: “Why are you so quiet?” That Question is great because it also doubles as an insult! Oh boy it really makes me want to talk more! (please sense the sarcasm)

R-Reason to smile: good friends :)

S-song you last sang: I barely talk, let alone song, so idk

T-time you woke up: maybe 10am ish?

U-underwear color: I forgot tbh

V-vacation destination: I’d love to visit Washington State again, but maybe also Scotland. Basically anywhere with beautiful landscapes.

W-worst habit: I have a hard time investing in relationships. I never really reach out to people because I just assume they don’t care.

X-rays? Quite a few—I just recently had one on my wrist because it was irritating me when I played the flute. D:

Y-your favorite food: I always struggle with this question, but I guess smoothies, because they’re so diverse.

Z: zodiac sign: Taurus (isn’t that a pokemon too?)

People I tag: You! :)

[classical-crap]

I’m glad we live in a time of such innovation and creativity