Thanks to everyone who took part in the play in!

It was really wonderful that so many people took part in our very first national Flutewise Play In. We must do it again next year!

Here are a few photos and videos.

Playing in the bandstand overlooking the Milford Haven waterway , The Cleddau Flute Choir, directed by Alison Blasdale

The Cleddau Flute Choir, directed by Alison Blasdale

17th Tonbridge Scout And Guide Band

The 17th Tonbridge Scout and Guide Band Facebook page -

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1399544068841097&id=100063565514046&rdid=eP6vgMv0ywoW8jZb

Flutewise Play In!

When I first piped up with the idea of a National Flutewise Play In Day, I had a tiny wobble. Would anyone actually want to join in? Oh, silly me – I needn’t have worried for a second! The response has been absolutely brilliant, with flautists popping up all over the country this week, and the weekend shaping up to be a veritable flute-fest.

The absolute cherry on the cake? Last night, Alison Blasdale sent me a link to her local newspaper in Pembrokeshire. Yes – Flutewise has made the papers! Her flute choir (the wonderfully named Cleddau Flute Choir) will be out and about in the most magical settings: serenading King Henry VII himself outside Pembroke Castle, wafting music across Neyland Marina, and filling the air on the bandstand overlooking the Milford Haven Estuary. Now that’s what I call playing in style!

And it doesn’t stop there. Look at what some of our fabulous players have planned:

  • Yael in Tonbridge: rallying the troops in her youth marching band – flutes to the front!

  • Shona in London: timing it perfectly for 11am on Sunday, flute in hand at church with the worship band at St Tom’s Oakwood.

  • Nicola in Gloucester: rounding up all her students for a grand play-in.

  • Esmae: performing a rare and special concert at home – just for her sister (who is in for a treat!).

  • Dorothy: turning her living room into a concert hall.

  • Vivienne: filling her home and garden with flute music all afternoon and evening – neighbours, listen out!

  • Phoebe: squeezing in a performance at school and another at home.

  • Howie: making breakfast extra special with a family flute recital.

  • Heidi: letting her garden bloom with music.

From castles and marinas to breakfast rooms and back gardens, the nation will be bubbling with flutes this weekend.

Thanks to everyone taking part and please let me know how you are involved.

And honestly? It feels like Flutewise has come skipping joyfully back into the spotlight – and I couldn’t be happier!

Flutewise is back!

Hello Flutewise Friends!

It’s been far too long since I last wrote something here – sorry about that! Life has been rather busy, but now things have settled (well, as settled as life ever gets!), it’s time to get Flutewise buzzing again.

I hope this finds you well, happy, and still enjoying your flute. I’d also love you to be part of the exciting next chapter in the Flutewise story.

Two big things are on the horizon:
✨ The National Flutewise Play In Day
✨ The Flutewise Project

The idea is simple – to get more people picking up the flute, and to inspire those who already play by joining together in these fun, nationwide events.

🎶 The National Flutewise Play In Day

This will take place during the week beginning 22nd September, with a special focus on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th at 11.00am.
We’ll all be playing Brian Boru’s March (you can find it on the website) – plus any other music you fancy. Play anywhere that suits you: school, home, garden centre, beach… you name it! And if you don’t have nearby flute friends, no worries – you can join us online.

🎶 The Flutewise Project

At the end of each term, we’ll be encouraging flute players to get together and perform some brilliant ensemble pieces. Over the years, Flutewise has collected a treasure trove of music – with parts for everyone, from absolute beginners to confident players.
This term we’re starting with easy, accessible music, but as the terms go on, the repertoire will grow in both variety and challenge. You’ll also find warm-ups and solos to dip into, but the real magic is in playing together.

So please check the website, join in, and spread the word to other flute players. Let’s remind the world just how wonderful it is to play the flute!

I’d love to hear your news too – and of course, I’m here to answer any questions.

Happy flute playing,
Liz 🎵

From Dinosaur to Virtuoso

New music books get printed all of the time. We can be reassured that if something appears in print, it has been worked on really hard and deserves some attention. Some publications are however much better than others and this new book by our Slovenian friends, Blaz and Ana Pucihar is absolutely wonderful! Many Flutewise people have experienced the compositions of Blaz Pucihar in the past, his Luna’s Magic Flute has become a firm favourite on past courses. I think this new book will excite everyone. Every aspect of the book is of the highest possible standard, the music, the progression, the illustrations (by Corky Paul), the quality of the paper and printing … I could go on. And I will … scroll past the image.

In From Dinosaur to Virtuoso there are 50 progressive pieces, which are extremely satisfying to play and will serve young developing players well over a long period of time, from beginner to around Grade 5 standard.

The book is divided into ‘Steps’. In Step 1 only one note is used for each piece; Step 2 uses two notes, Step 3, three notes, Step 4 Four notes and Step 5 Five notes. You might think that is very restrictive, but because different keys are used, the full range of notes are covered to really help develop technique and musicality. It’s been extremely cleverly thought out.

The pieces are in a variety of styles with great accompaniment tracks that are really easy to download and use.

Step 6 is welcome for group work as there are nine pieces in 3 parts. All of the parts are equal in each piece, but like the rest of the book they are progressive in standard.

Step 7 contains three virtuoso pieces.

It really is an excellent publication for the developing young player and teachers will welcome this with open arms to enhance their teaching. A huge thanks to Ana and Blaz Pucihar.

The book is available from Just Flutes.

My flute journey

2023 was quite a quiet year for Flutewise activities and I thought you might be interested to know one of the main reasons. Me! I’ve been having enormous problems with my joints and a few weeks ago I had a shoulder replacement. I’m so enormously happy and grateful I’ve had this done. I was in a huge amount of pain and was gradually losing the use of my arm. Now my life has been transformed. Surgeons are so very, very clever.

Before my operation I saw a spinal surgeon as there is a problem with my neck. He devastated me by saying my flute playing days were over. This statement was like a red rag to a bull! No way could I imagine life without being able to play my flute, it’s as important to eating or breathing to me. So I began researching a solution.

The 3D kit sent from Maarten Vessler, flutelab.com

I had heard of a flute maker in Amsterdam, Maarten Vessler, who makes and adapts flutes for people with problems. I got in touch with him and he sent me a kit of 3D printed head joints to try out the angles. This was a brilliant idea as I could concentrate on the feel of the instrument rather than be distracted by the sound.

I also had a Zoom consultation with the wonderful Lea Pearson in Columbus, Ohio, who is a great expert on everything to do with the body and flute playing.

Maarten Vessler offered 2 shapes of head joints, a vertical one and a ‘swan neck’. I quickly realised I was much more comfortable with the swan neck. And huge excitement, Just Flutes actually had one in stock! Some lovely friends arranged to drive me up to Just Flutes, but the day before we were due to go I had a message from Just Flutes to say the head joint had been sold. I was a bit upset as you can imagine.

A couple of weeks later Maarten let me know he had made me a head joint and it was on it’s way to Just Flutes.

On the morning of my operation Jonathan Myall (from Just Flutes) drove down to my house with the head joint. That was quite magic, giving me a great incentive to recover from this major surgery and get playing again. I couldn’t do anything for about 4 days as my arm and hand were completely numb and I had to keep the arm in a sling all day and all night. My physiotherapist gave me permission to play for 3-5 minutes at a time, the disappointment was the head joint wouldn’t fit into my main flute so I had to try it on a old student model.

Me with Jonathan Myall with my new headjoint on the morning of my operation

Three weeks after surgery my husband drove me up to Just Flutes so Ian McLauchlan could fit the new head joint into my flute. It’s wonderful to be able to play with no discomfort. I’m enjoying exploring what the new head joint can do, but I do miss my original one. Who knows I might get back to it one day.

I’m really grateful to all the people who have supported me to make this happen  (my surgeon, Maarten Vessler, Lea Pearson, Jonathan Myall and Ian McLauchlan) and I’m looking forward to getting back to Flutewise activities in 2024. I’ve always been concerned about posture and the size/weight of the flute with young people, that’s why I developed The Fife Book. Although my problems with my joints have not been caused with playing the flute, I do know many problems can be caused by poor posture and inappropriate use. I would urge everyone to check their posture and hand positions and for all flute teachers to make body awareness a top priority in lessons. Being in pain is awful and not being able to play is worse! Happy (pain free) flute playing.

Christmas Crackers!

Hello!

It’s that time of year again! This is a favourite online Flutewise event.

Everyone is welcome to come along to this 30 minute event, when we play some favourite Christmas carols arranged by Jeremy Randalls and we also share some Christmas cracker jokes! We will play the carols on mute to a backing track so there is no need to be shy

I'm offering three different days for this event, although the music will be the same for each one, the other content will be different. You are welcome to book for one or all of them. The dates are Saturday 16th of December at 10 am, Monday 18th of December at 4 pm and Wednesday  20th of December at 10 am. 

It's free to attend these events, but you must book a place in advance. Please spread the word amongst other interested flute players.

The music we will use is available on our website now along with the backing tracks. The zoom link will be sent to you the day before the event you have booked.

Details can be found here https://www.flutewiselive.org/flutewise-club

Really looking forward to seeing you.

Happy flute playing.

Liz

Join me for an online event this Saturday

It’s been quiet here for a little while for all sorts of reasons - a big one being the computer was too old to operate the website! That problem is sorted now so life can start and get back to normal.

If you are free this Saturday morning come and join an online event. It will be short, friendly, informative and we can play a piece together. Book earl so I can email you some music.

Happy flute playing

Liz

Flutewise event on Saturday 28 October

Event on 1 July!

We had scheduled an event on Saturday 13 May but sadly this had to be postponed as the ground was too wet for the funfair to come to the park. The new date is Saturday 1 July, starting at 10.30 am. I hope you can join us!

On Saturday 1 July 2023 there will be an event on Victoria Park, Victoria Road, Portslade, Brighton. Brighton is a great place for a family day out or weekend away. This event is taking place when the park has it’s annual visit from Cole’s Fun Fair. There will be:

A Fun Fair - with everything you expect at a fun fair; rides, games stalls, food etc.
A Teddy Bear’s Picnic - with a competition for the best homemade crown (soft toy and owner)
A Flutewise Workshop starting at 10.30 am followed by performance at the picnic/funfair
An art display
Various other attractions

Everyone attending the workshop will receive a copy of our new book, Flutewise: Let’s Play Together, a goody bag containing lots of interesting things and 12 months membership to Flutewise.

You can book your place here

Flutewise Let's Play Together online information meetings

It is time to get busy with Flutewise activities again. Can you believe Flutewise will be 35 years old this year and to help us celebrate we have a new excellent book about to be published called Flutewise: Let’s Play Together! 

This is an extremely versatile book with lots of music in 3 parts with backing tracks, creative music making ideas and some fantastic musical games. They have all been well tried and tested at Flutewise events. I think it is fair to say this is one of the most exciting publications I’ve ever produced for Flutewise and enormous thanks go to Jerry Randalls and Abbie Burrows for making it happen.

Flutewise will be organising some events (the first one is on 13 May with a Fun Fair!) but it would be wonderful if people would request events in their area and help to organise them or even organise their own events completely. 

If you are a flute player (young or adult), a parent of a flute player or a flute teacher you are welcome to join me for a short Zoom meeting to find out more. These meetings will be on:

Saturday 22 April  at 10.30 am

Tuesday 25 April at 4.30 pm

Friday 28 April at 6.00 pm

The online events are free and open to anyone interested to attend, you just need to reserve a place and I’ll send you the appropriate link as well as a piece of music from the book that anyone who would like to join in can play to close the meeting. 

Hope to see you at one of them.

Happy flute playing

Liz

Let's play together and celebrate 35 years of Flutewise!

I can hardly believe this, but I set up Flutewise 35 years ago! It was way back in 1988. I must be getting old, but I’m still young at heart, enjoying the title my grandchildren and their friends have given me, Nanny Flute, and hope to go on with Flutewise for a long time.

It’s been a hard few years for everyone mainly due to covid. In 2018 Jerry Randalls, Abbie Burrows and I had been working hard on a new project for Flutewise, called Let’s Play Together. The idea was to produce a book of ensemble music that could be used by flute players of all standards in public places, the flute players enjoying the playing and the public being made aware of the marvellous activity that is flute playing.

In February 2019 some of us started to become aware that life might change due to the virus. I decided to put this project on hold. I’m sad I had to do this, but delighted I did. It’s been hard to get back to it, but we have and the book is at what we call the ‘final proof’ stage before it goes off to the printers.

I must say I am really pleased with this book and the thought of all the events that might happen because of it. You can follow the links to find out more.

I’ve only announce one event so far, but quite a number are in the pipeline. We are having a Flutewise Let’s Play Together event with a Teddy Bears’ Picnic and FunFair on Saturday 13 May 2023 at Victoria Recreation Ground, Portslade, Brighton. Amazing! A Flutewise event with a Fun Fair! I hope you can come. One of our original Flutewise members, Nicole Leclerq, is grown up now and a flute teacher. She has kindly offered to run the morning workshop. I will look forward to meeting everyone at the picnic.

If you want to be involved in an event, please let me know. I hope we can all enjoy celebrating 35 years of Flutewise, the joy of playing our flutes together and encouraging more people to join us.

Happy flute playing

Liz, aka Nanny Flute