AboutHolly Expertise I can answer questions about learning to play the flute, reading music, problems encountered when playing, flute repertoire, practicing tips, and performing, as well as information about classical composers and their works. Please note that I am no longer accepting any questions about what kind of flute to buy, upgrading, flute brands, reselling, what a flute is worth, etc. I have answered many of these questions in the past, so please either view my answers in the the previously asked questions section or visit my website, which has a page about buying flutes: silentgalaxy.com/buyingflutes.html. Thanks!
Experience I've played the flute since fourth grade, graduating with my master's degree in flute performance. I have taught at local music schools, given flute lessons for over ten years, have played in and soloed with several orchestras, chamber groups, and various other ensembles. For more information about me, visit my website at silentgalaxy.com. I love the flute, and I love helping people, so I welcome your questions!
Education/Credentials Bachelor's and master's degrees in flute performance from Carnegie Mellon University.
Question Hello. I'm not really that good at reading music. I know what the notes are and everything, but I just can't seem to make sense out of all of it. Maybe some simple tips or ways I can teach myself? I am taking up the flute and still tend to stare a tad blankly at music sheets. If the notes are away from everything else, I can tell you, but I think all of the other things around the staff and on the lines just tip my brain off. How can I make sense out this? Thanks for helping.
Answer Hey Kimmy,
It's a lot to concentrate on, when you start an instrument and have to combine how to blow into it and finger it along with reading music. Since you say that you can read the notes away from the flute, then it's probably just a matter of getting used to multitasking with the flute.
Here's some suggestions you can try:
- Play in small sections when you practice. Rather than trying to get through a whole piece, take just a measure or two at a time. No matter how hard a passage is, breaking it into smaller chunks will always make it easier to comprehend both musically and flutewise.
- Separate learning/understanding the notes away from playing the flute. Look over it first and think the notes and rhythms through in your head, away from the flute. Then play it on the flute.... if it gets overwhelming again and you find yourself staring at the music, stop and go over the notes in your head again.
- Keep the music you play very simple at first so you're not overwhelmed with a lot of notes to take in.
- Work on really understanding the fundamentals of reading music. Reading music should become like reading English - you don't have to think "s...e...a...b...r..e....e...oh, seabreeze!" when you're reading. When you first started reading, that was natural, but with practice, we get to the point where that's not necessary anymore. It's the same with reading music. Keep working on the fundamentals until it becomes second nature. The less you have to think about reading music, the more brain attention you have to spare to playing the flute.
- Thoughtful, effective practice. I can't stress this enough - whenever your brain overloads, focus on what's causing that effect. Is it the rhythm? Sing /clap the rhythm to yourself before you play. Is it knowing the names of the notes? Say them over to yourself. Is it connecting the notes on the page to the fingerings you play? Take a second to finger the notes on the flute without blowing into it - just concentrate on the finger movements. Etc. Whatever it is that's causing the problem, isolate and contain the situation... do whatever you can to zero in on the problem so you can fix it at the source with minimum frustration / mind overloading.
Here's some websites that may help you with polishing your understanding of reading music:
I would recommend googling for anything that gives you difficulty when you're playing the flute - if it's rhythm, knowing what the note names are right away, etc...
Bottom line, it's perfectly natural to feel a brain overload when you think of all that you're doing as you play the flute. The notes, the fingerings, the embouchure, the rhythms, the dynamics.... it's a lot! I've read a study where they said that pianists performing a concerto with an orchestra have more brain activity than fighter pilots in combat. There is a LOT of multitasking going on when we play music, so it's normal to feel overwhelmed. Just keep practicing, and you'll get more used to it. :)
