Talking Flutes!

2000 concerts, 2 million children and 12 years of musical Joy! In part 2 of her interview with Atarah Ben-Tovim M.B.E Clare asks about the fabulous Atarah's Band and how it came about.  "Doing large scale kids concerts in big auditoriums wasn't an easy sell as a woman back in the 60's and 70's." Atarah also speaks about the use of the thumb Bb vs the long Bb fingering and whilst she doesn't get nervous as a performer, does when she accompanies her students in their exams! If you have any questions or ideas for future podcasts then get in touch via flutepodcasts@gmail.com 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com  

"If I'd had been a man, life with the flute would have been very different!" This week on 'Talking Flutes' in the first of a two part podcast Clare speaks with the enigmatic, colourful and tour de force that is Atarah Ben-Tovim M.B.E about being involved in the flute playing world for over 60 years.  From breaking down barriers and being Principal Flute in Liverpool during the 60's and the time of the Beatles, to her continued love and passion for flute study. Atarah Ben-Tovim, MBE is a British flautist and children's concert presenter.  Born in Wales, Ben-Tovim played her first television concert live at the Royal Albert Hall, at the age of fourteen. She was principal flautist with the National Youth Orchestra, and then from 1963-75 principal flautist with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. She left the RLPO to found Atarah's Band in 1975, a group which sought to improve children's experiences with classical music. Atarah was awarded the MBE in 1980 for her work in this field. During its lifetime,

You only need 10 minutes to re-charge yourself! In a very different  'Talking Flutes Extra' this week, co-host Jean-Paul speaks about the importance for us to spend a little time each day resting the social media 'scrolling' finger.  "We need to regularly reboot ourselves, to destress and find some peace. Meditation / Mindfulness / Creative Visualisation or whatever you wish to call it is the perfect way to begin this journey" (Do not listen whilst you are driving or using machinery as there are guided meditations and exercises included in this podcast.) Meditation is simple.  Despite what you may already believe, you don't have to wear funny clothes, sit in a weird position with hands facing upwards and thumb and fingers in an 'O' position chanting 'Ommm'.  You don't have to be a vegetarian and you certainly don't have to subscribe to a certain faith or philosophy.   So sit back and enjoy this 50 minute relaxing podcast. For more information and loads of completely free mediations visit www.thehappyflut

"The importance of building up rather than knocking down in teaching!" This week on 'Talking Flutes', Clare speaks with the wonderful teacher, performer and founder and conductor of the 'Flutes Unlimited' flute choir and host of the 'Flutes du Soleil' summer flute course held in France Andrea Kuypers. During the podcast Andrea speaks about how she learnt from her own experiences of 'negative' teaching methods (knocking down to build back up) when she herself was a music college to focus her own students only on the positive aspects of learning and developing their own unique styles and musicality.  They also speak about the wonderful 'no pressure' summer flute course held each year in France called 'Flues du Soleil' . Andrea is a freelance performer. She has performed and recorded with all the major Scottish Orchestras and has been fortunate enough to work with such renowned soloists as Mel Torme, George Shearing, Jack Jones, James Galway, Nichola Benedetti and The Priests. You can find out more informat

Whatever standard you are on your instrument we can all play jazz!  Let's start by getting your flute out! This week on 'Talking Flutes Extra' Jean-Paul speaks with Jazz flute player, composer, author and recording engineer Nicola Rizzo from his home in Bari in southern Italy. During the podcast Nicola explains how we can all "break free" and get started with jazz and not only demonstrates how we can easily do it, but we include some play along tracks actually within the podcast for you try it yourself! A really interesting and interactive educational podcast from a really lovely guy and passionate musician More information on his flute tutor and latest album can be found on www.nicolarizzojazzflute.com 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information www.trevorjamesflutes.com

"We live in a world of colour and music is no different!" "Colour creates interest and we can use this in a playing to turn a black and white performance in to a vibrant technicolour one!" In an enlightening 'Talking Flutes' podcast this week, Clare speaks about the wonderful creative area of our music making.Tonal colour.  "All musicians have their own particular palette of colours.  It's what makes us, and our performances completely unique". We love receiving your email comments and questions so please keep om sending them to us at flutepodcasts@gmail.com or via our Facebook page @talkingflutes. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com     

Writing beautiful ambient mediation music. This week Jean-Paul constructs a podcast from an Zoom catch-up conversation he had with London based multi-instrumentalist, composer and recording artist Theo Travis.   Based around a beautiful and newly composed track that Theo sent Jean-Paul for upload on to his thehappyflutist.com website, they speak about how he writes this music and how meditation has changed him.  During the chat, we are able to relax and listen to some extended excerpts of his beautiful compositions.   'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ Flute Company.  For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com    

"The corporate world is in need of creative people like never before!" "We're inundated with the sense of artificial self growth.  I think it's important that we go back to the chasis of who we are.  The topography of our souls." This week on 'Talking Flutes" Clare speaks to the musical genius that is Christopher Caliendo. A prolific composer of film and TV music, he has also written over 300 works for the flute. During this insightful podcast, he talks about his new learning academy www.2tacademy.com which aims to guide musicians through the many areas that they don't teach you at music school using acclaimed leaders in their field. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

"With RoSaWay we become alive!"..."We sleep, eat and drink RoSaWay 24hrs a day!" This week on "Talking Flutes Extra' Jean-Paul speaks with Rachel and Stef, the flute playing, singing and drum duo combination called 'RoSaWay' who are making serious waves in the music world. "We were so close to having our music played on the 'Superbowl', had signed the agreements which would have changed our lives, then at the last minute they decided to go with a Ray Charles track.  Now if you're going to miss out then who better to do so than Ray Charles!"   'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

The first female flute playing superstar in a field of men! "If you can play Fauré Fantasy' at crochet - 144 then you can play the flute!" This week on 'Talking Flutes' Clare speaks with the wonderful Musician, flute player, soloist and Flute Professor Susan Milan about her life, Covid lockdown and her continual drive to champion the cause of female musicians. "It's amazing how no so long ago, many men didn't want a female principal flute in their orchestra!.  Whilst things have no doubt got so much better, there is still so much more to do!" "Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

The wisdom of Pahud! "What are opinions if you can't integrate them in to the modern world" This week on 'Talking Flutes Extra' Jean-Paul speak via Zoom with Russian born musician and flute player, now living in Madrid Ekaterina Kornishina. In this very open podcast, Ekaterina speaks of her sense of awe, boredom and also frustrations with music today.  From her childhood when she first  performed in the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow to being a principal orchestral flute player at 18 yrs, where she increasingly became aware that there was something missing in her life.   'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com      

The wisdom of mother's and their invaluable support to our music. In 'Talking Flutes' this week, and timed around 'Mother's Day' here in the UK (14th March), Clare speaks about the love and support her own mother gave her when she was a student and also when she too became a mother herself.   How rice cakes and ginger biscuits were her staple diet when she was pregnant through to her conviction to pass on the same invaluable support and positivity to her own children that her mother gave her. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com  

"She was playing the tin whistle down the phone at 1 am!" This week on 'Talking Flutes Extra', Jean-Paul speaks with the fabulous London based Irish and folk flute / guitar player Philippe Barnes.  During this longer than usual podcast they talk about the effects of catching Covid and the devastation that Coronavirus has inflicted on 'live' music.  Philippe also gives lots of playing tips for anybody wanting to learn to play Irish flute music on their silver flute and also speaks about his exciting new Patreon page www.patreon.com/philippebarnes for those wanting to really delve down in to playing Irish and Celtic music. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com       

A joyful and different flute teaching method. In Talking Flutes this week, Jean-Paul is speaking with composer and musician Andy Scott and usual Talking Flutes podcast host Clare about their wonderful new publication Kickstart flute. There are many beginner books available today, however Kickstart flute and their uniquely composed  interactive 24 duets, is all about learning through the fun of playing many genres of music.    During the podcast,  we listen to some of the tracks with Clare and Andy explaining how the Kickstart concept is simply perfect for new players as well as those returning to the flute after having taken time out. Check out www.kickstartflute.com for more information 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ Flute Company.  For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com   

"That low F is a pain in the butt!" The trials and tribulations of being a specialist flute repairer. This week Jean-Paul speak with specialist flute repairer, flute player, teacher and co host of the 'Screw Loose' YouTube Channel Sarah Stockton, about her life as a repairer and also about her unique bespoke crown designs. You can find out more about Sarah and her crowns by visiting her website www.boundlessflute.com 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com 

Annoying Marcel Moyse with changing tape cassettes...The Importance of intonation in an audition and many many more stories and teaching experiences from the wonderful flute player and Professor of flute at the Royal Academy of Music in London Kate Hill. Having been a fellow Flute Professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London for many years, Clare reminisces with her friend and colleague Kate Hill. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com  

"I literally lay awake at night wondering what that flute sounds like" This week on 'Talking Flutes Extra' Jean-Paul speaks with self-confessed 'Flute Nerd' and multi-instrumentalist Josh Johnson about everything flute.  From his love and passion for Sankyo flutes though to the use of wood and metals used in flute making. "That piece of wood that has been made in to a piccolo doesn't want to be a piccolo, it still wants to be a tree!" 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com 

"It's a wonderful journey of discovery!" This week on 'Talking Flutes' Clare speaks with Renaissance and Baroque flute specialist Elizabeth Walker about her love for performing on early flutes. "One of the big challenges with Baroque flute is the strong and weak notes e.g D is a strong note and yet C (next door) is a weak note..." An insightful and information discussion about the joy of early flutes and how taking the 'plunge' can give flute players such joy. Check out Liz via her website http://www.lizwalker.co.uk/ 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company.  For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com  

"Employing the imagination and never letting go!" In this extended 'Talking Flutes Extra' podcast this week, Jean-Paul speaks with Emmy, Grammy and winner of over 50 Downbeat and many many other music Awards, the multi-instrumentalist, composer, recording engineer, entrepreneur, music Professor and all round lovely guy Dr José Valentino. During the podcast José speaks about his musical journey to date.  He also talks about his Grammy winning composition and performance of 'Sacre',  and lists 10 attributes which he believes have helped him personally along the road to being the latest winner of a Latin Grammy Award. 'Sacre' A COMPOSITION FOR AN URGENT TIME IN OUR SOCIETY . . . For millennia, the flute has been utilised as a sacred instrument to evoke both the spirit of humanity and the spirit of God. It is well-observed that the acclaimed Austrian Classical composer, Franz Joseph Haydn, brilliantly utilised the flute in his Credo movements to depict the motion of the Holy Spirit ministering to His pe

The musical genius that is Charles Koechlin (1867 - 1950) In 'Talking Flutes' this week Clare speaks via Zoom with musician and flute player Nicola Woodward about her study of, and recording of the 'Chants de Nectaire', 96 unaccompanied pieces by Koechlin. Charles Koechlin (1867-1950) was a French composer who although unduly neglected during his lifetime is finally earning the recognition he deserves as equal of great composers like Faure, Debussy and Ravel.  He seems to have had a particular affinity with the flute, possibly because in its simplest form it is the most primitive and natural of instruments, closest to the human voice. The ‘Chants de Nectaire’ op 198 199 and 200 constitute one of the greatest works for flute both in terms of length and quality. Koechlin’s writing is so idiomatic and sensitive that it is hard to believe that he did not play the flute himself.  For more information visit www.nicolawoodward.uk  'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flut