October 2021
Okay! I took out the first plug. The “F” is now a real ring key. That means from now on: I must cover the key neatly with the fingertip.
I lament the difficult exercises for changing the octaves. They require the utmost concentration. The opening of the lips causes the change into the next Octave. And if I simultaneously move my fingers from one key to the other, I get quite confused. These are two different proceedings that my head has to learn to control in parallel.
These exercises do not produce a melody that pleases my ear. They are boring tones-grasping so that the mind can organise the finger sequences more easily and get used to them.
In the next lesson I get the valuable tip to start with these exercises, because then I would be more receptive and fresher. Concentration will be not yet tired. Super suggestion from my teacher. I'm glad that I have her!
I show her all the music schools my daughter has used. Maybe she'll find some literature for me. I guess the Bourrée will have to wait for quite a while.
For a few days I've been toying with a rather unusual idea. I am a big fan of Melissa Keeling, an American flutist, composer and Professor at a University in Kentucky. She often plays her flute with a glissando headjoint and sets up her musik with electronic gear. Which give one acces to effets such as delay, distortion, reverb, harmonisation, chorus and looping. Based on her good experiences from the last Lockdown she would accept new online students. She writes that it doesn't matter what the student's skill level is.
I have been thinking about applying to her for a few days, very seriously indeed. I really like the way she plays the flute and I also like the electronic flute sound plus the glissando headjoint.
She might have found it interesting to teach a student from Europe, just as I would have found it fantastic to have a teacher like her in the USA.
My husband immediately supported me in this idea. The setting and environment would be safe and professional in the home of a software developer. I would only need a good camera.
I was quite excited and happy for a few days with this plan in mind.
Then the negative thoughts took over and won. How would it work with the time difference? Would regular lessons go along with my frequent evening and weekend duties? Would she perhaps agree to the lessons every 2/3 weeks? Does that make any sense at all then? Can I follow the lessons in English? How would I cope with the technical and musical terms?
I can deal with everyday language. But my English is no longer as fluent as it was many years ago.
So no online lessons at my husband's house after all. And I have buried that thrilling idea for time reasons. I mustn't forget that I still have piano lessons and additionally my flute lessons in presence every two or three weeks. Lessons with Melissa Keeling would have been an additional, but quite beautiful, idea.
But now I have at least officially registered as a member to the “Deutsche Gesellschaft für Flöte e.V”. (German Society for the Flute). I get a magazine four times a year with articles relevant to the subject and I would have a few more advantages, but I've just forgotten them in detail. Everything with Corona pandemie is a bit strange at the moment.
There are a few pages in the magazine that are specifically aimed for children and teenagers, which is exactly where I am with my current level of knowledge. Analyses of technical difficulties are printed in them, unusual compositions are presented. There is also an instrument market. I get to know names of flutists and composers who have devoted themselves especially to the flute. Dates of flute events all over the world are announced, if they don't have to be cancelled at short notice because of the pandemic.
Let's see if I can take an advantage or benefit from the magazines, they are edited somewhat boringly.