Talking Flutes!

This week we’re taking a very brief look at the iconic Louis Lot Flute Company and their legacy of excellence and innovation. The first Lot flutes were made in 1855 and over 168 years later, Louis Lot flutes have earned a reputation for their exceptional craftsmanship, exquisite tonal quality, and outstanding performance capabilities. In this brief pod, we’ll very briefly delve into the fascinating story of the Louis Lot Flute Company, exploring its origins, its contributions to the development of modern flutes, its notable achievements, and its enduring legacy in the world of flute manufacturing. 'Talking Flutes', 'Talking Flutes Extra' and 'Bitesize' are podcast productions buy the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.tjflutes.com 

What does a Monty Python, London Cockney, Shakespeare, a French composer, a pirate, an alien, a member of the British aristocracy, Star Wars, and the Talking Flutes Podcast all have in common? This week on Talking Flutes Extra, Jean-Paul has really gone off at a tangent and must have had too much rain on his head when he was on holiday last week!  You're going to have to listen if you want to find out...WARNING...this Episode is ridiculous! Talking Flutes, Talking Flutes Extra and Bitesize episodes are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.tjflutes.com

Do you cause your own performance, practice and goal setting problems? In Talking Flutes Bitesize podcast this week, Jean-Paul briefly looks at the importance of getting out of our own way to succeed in our musical life. Many of us have faced situations in our lives where we have felt stuck, unable to move forward or achieve our goals. Sometimes, the biggest obstacle standing in our way is ourselves. We often hold ourselves back with limiting beliefs, negative self-talk, and fear of failure. In this podcast, we will explore the importance of getting out of our own way and the strategies we can use to achieve success. 'Talking Flutes', 'Talking Flutes Extra' and 'Bitesize' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.tjflutes.com 

Bringing Berio's Sequenza to Life! This week on Talking Flutes, Clare and Jean-Paul will be addressing additional questions sent in by podcast listeners. To cultivate and enhance your musical growth, it is crucial for you to consistently venture beyond classical music and delve into the diverse music of other cultures and styles. The profound impact of this exhilarating exploration into different rhythms, melodies, and musical expressions on your own music and interpretation cannot be underestimated. Do not confine yourself to being solely a flute player. Embrace the essence of being a musician! Talking Flutes, Talking Flutes Extra and Bitesize pods are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.tjflutes.com 

As musicians, we all want to deliver the best possible performance, but sometimes nerves or distractions can get in the way. Creative visualisation is a technique that involves using mental imagery to create or recreate experiences in our minds. By visualising a particular scenario or outcome, we can help prepare ourselves for it and increase the chances of it happening in reality.  Creative visualization is a powerful tool that can help us overcome inner obstacles and give us an additional tool to ensure that we have the chance to perform at our best.   One of the key benefits of creative visualisation is that it can help build confidence in our abilities as musicians. By visualising ourselves performing at our best, we can create a positive mental image of ourselves as capable and skilled musicians. This can be especially helpful for musicians who struggle with self-doubt or negative self-talk. When we believe in ourselves and our abilities, we're more likely to take risks and perform with conviction. Anoth

Yes you too can fall in love with playing the piccolo! This week on Talking Flutes, Jean-Paul speaks with Egor Egorkin, the Principal Piccolo player of the Berliner Philharmonika. In this insightful episode, Egor speaks about the process of creating a balance of pitch and emotion, how practicing whistle tones can really help your piccolo practice,  and the importance of finding the right colour in the intonation process.   For Egor, being constantly curious with the piccolo and searching for new sounds, colours and feelings keeps him excited about the instrument. Talking Flutes and Talking Flutes Bitesize are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.tjflutes.com 

Creativity is a key component of human experience. It enables us to approach problems and challenges in unique and innovative ways, to see the world from different perspectives, and to express ourselves through various forms of art and self-expression. Unfortunately, many of us believe that creativity is a rare talent reserved for artists and musicians, or that it's something we're born with or without. However, research shows that creativity is a skill that can be cultivated and developed over time. In this Talking Flutes bitesize pod we will briefly explore some of the strategies and techniques for unlocking our inner creativity and cultivating a creative mindset. Talking Flutes, Talking Flutes Extra and 'Bitesize' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.tjflutes.com 

Memory, tablet or sheet music? Do you need to study music theory or can you focus solely on your practice? In 'Talking Flutes' podcast this week, Clare and Jean-Paul begin a 5 part discussion around many questions which have been sent in by listeners over the past few months. Follow us on social media at FB and IG @talkingflutes and please give us a 'Like' and a rating on whatever podcast provider you're listening to this on.  After nearly 6 years of doing this very popular weekly podcast, we still need your help in getting these pods out to an even bigger audience.  'Talking Flutes', 'Talking Flutes Extra' and 'Bitesize' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.tjflutes.com

Do you need some strategies to unlock your musical creativity or are you experiencing a block? Creative blocks can be caused by many factors including stress, fatigue, lack of inspiration or even interest in what you are doing!   In this short Bitesize podcast this week, Jean-Paul talks about how basic self-care strategies can help to break down any block you are experiencing.   'Talking Flutes', 'Talking Flutes Extra' and 'Bitesize' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.tjflutes.com 

"Make everybody you meet be curious about you!" "Everything in life that we do, we should do with intention!" In this episode, Jean-Paul speaks with flute player, author, managing agent and marketeer Morgan Pappas about her change of career.  From flutist to Artist Agent and what made her make such a leap in to a new world!  We also cover her brilliant new e-book 'How To Be Your Own Agent' and why you can totally do this on your own! 'Talking Flutes', 'Talking Flutes Extra' and 'Bitesize' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.tjflutes.com 

Do you have any external or internal self-limiting factors that may be preventing you from achieving your musical goals. A growth mindset is a belief that your abilities can be realised through dedication and hard work. In this short 'Bitesize' episode, Jean-Paul looks at how developing a structured and realistic growth mindset will help to point you in the right direction to success. 'Talking Flutes', 'Talking Flutes Extra' and 'Bitesize' Episodes are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.tjflutes.com 

Tension stops resonance! In this insightful episode, Clare Southworth and Elizabeth Walker speak about three of the fundamentals of flute playing.  Projection - Resonance - Dynamics. How projection and loudness do not corollate and how projection is about using our bodies, as singer do! If you want your music to come alive, then the correct use of dynamics will make your music come alive! Talking Flutes, Talking Flutes Extra and Bitesize are podcasts productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.tjflutes.com 

Embrace imperfection: No performance is ever perfect This week on this Bitesize episode, we’re going to be looking at a few solutions and strategies for musicians who suffer from performance anxiety. If you're a musician who experiences nervousness or fear when performing in front of others, you're not alone. Performance anxiety is a common experience for many musicians, but the good news is that there are strategies and techniques that can help you manage and overcome these feelings. Sadly there isn’t a one-size fits all technique or strategy as we all experience these feelings in different ways and therefore require almost a unique strategy tailored to ourselves.  'Talking Flutes', 'Talking Flutes Extra' and 'Bitesize' are podcast productions by the TJ flute Company.  For more information visit www.tjflutes.com   

"Being present in the moment is where I am" Be open, flexible and not stuck in the "This is the only way I play this song" attitude! "You can't just jump in the water...you first have to figure out how to get to the water!' This week on Talking Flutes Extra, Jean-Paul speaks with the brilliant multi-instrumentalist, composer and member of Grammy Winning collective 'Snarky Puppy' during a break he was was enjoying in Brazil. Insightful as always, Chris also speaks about how age shouldn't define a musician and how running helps him 'chill' when on the road with Snarky. 'Talking Flutes', 'Talking Flutes Extra' and 'Bitesize' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.tjflutes.com 

The power of positive thinking in our musical lives! This week on Talking Flutes 'Bitesize', Jean-Paul takes a look a how positive thinking can impact on our lives.  There is also a specially composed and beautiful soundscape meditation included for all those who wish to explore the joy that being in the present brings. 'Talking Flutes', 'Talking Flutes Extra' and 'Bitesize' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.tjflutes.com   

"If one is aware of vibrato, it is either unnecessary or too deep!" This week on Talking Flutes, Clare talks flute and flute study with flute player, adjudicator and one of the UK's most respected flute teachers Carolyn Kelly. 'Talking Flutes', 'Talking Flutes Extra' and 'Bitesize' pods are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.tjflutes.com 

In today's episode, we'll be talking about the relationship between happiness and success. The definition of ‘success’ is also very personal, different for each and every one of us.  If we must measure any perceived success, then it should always be based on our  own ‘values’ and passions and not on how others see us. 'Talking Flutes', 'Talking Flutes Extra' and 'Bitesize' are podcast productions by the TJ Flute Company. For more information visit www.tjflutes.com 

"Your voice is all that matters in this world!" "Make your own choices rather than them being made by others!" This week on Talking Flutes Jean-Pau speaks via Zoom with the brilliant musician and sax player Andy Snitzer who following a suggestion from Amy Kilkain, a doubling musician in Texas. Amy suggested that flute players can learn so much more if they opened their ears and eyes to other instrumental influences, and as a flute player herself, suggested we get a 'Big Hitter' on to the podcast to an answers some of the insightful questions that are sent in from listeners.  From playing with the Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, Sting and many other huge names and bands, Andy Snitzer remains totally grounded in his desire to have his musical voice heard and not to be a clone of any other musician before.  He is passionate in his desire to make everybody feel unique with their instrumental voice "at whatever stage they are at"..."We all have our place...we are all unique" More information on Andy Snitzer can be fou

What makes us happy? In Talking Flutes 'Bitesize' this week Jean-Paul looks at the areas of happiness and how we must make conscious decisions and changes to experience happiness in our music making.   'Talking Flutes', 'Talking Flutes Extra' and 'Talking Flutes Bitesize' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.tjflutes.com 

The power really is in your hands! This week Jean-Paul and Clare muse around on subjects such as how to get back to structured practice, the flute players sound, warming up, the influence of teachers and asking the question..."Why do we have to play scales?" Without good posture your sound will never reflect you full potential.  Have good posture and then learn to shape your sound to create a multi-coloured world.  The you'll be the best representation of you as a musician! 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' and 'Bitesize' episodes are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.tjflutes.com