Talking Flutes!
The popular Flute Podcast Channel ‘Talking Flutes‘ where the recipe and ingredients are very simple. Take a leading flute player, author, golfer and Professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London (Clare Southworth) and mix with flute player, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Public Speaker and Managing Director of the world famous TJ flute brand (Jean-Paul Wright). Speak with some of the world‘s leading flute players including Sir James Galway, Jasmine Choi, Denis Bouriakov, Paul Edmund-Davies, Gareth Davies (too many more beautiful flute playing guests to mention in a single paragraph), and gently mix these together with some Grammy and Emmy winning musicians. Top with mental health awareness advice from Dr Joe Stammeijer and finish with some stunning music, laughs and plenty of fun.
Listen on:
Episodes
Episodes
Monday Mar 20, 2023
Monday Mar 20, 2023
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
Monday Mar 13, 2023
Monday Mar 13, 2023
"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
Monday Mar 06, 2023
Monday Mar 06, 2023
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
Monday Feb 27, 2023
Monday Feb 27, 2023
"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
Monday Feb 20, 2023
Monday Feb 20, 2023
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
Monday Feb 13, 2023
Monday Feb 13, 2023
"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 found at https://andysnitzer.com
Talking Flutes, Talking Flutes Extra and Bitesize Podcasts are made by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.tjflutes.com
Monday Feb 06, 2023
Monday Feb 06, 2023
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
Monday Jan 30, 2023
Monday Jan 30, 2023
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
Monday Jan 23, 2023
Monday Jan 23, 2023
Mindfulness for musicians and staying in the zone!
In this bitesize episode, Jean-Paul look at the benefits that being 'Mindful' can help our practice and performance. How it can help to prevent that negative feeling coming in to unwelcome focus when a hard part is coming up in a piece of music.
How being mindful is very simple and yet totally transformative!
'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.tjflutes.com
Monday Jan 16, 2023
Monday Jan 16, 2023
Limitation breeds creativity!
This week on Talking Flutes Extra Jean-Paul speaks with flute player, arranger and social media influencer Barry Griffiths about his love for video game and film music. During the podcast we listen to performance of 6 of his favourites pieces from Star Trek II through to Harry Potter.
'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.tjflutes.com
Monday Jan 09, 2023
Monday Jan 09, 2023
What is happiness to you?
Hello and welcome to these new ‘Talking Flutes’ bite-sized podcasts, where over the next few weeks, and sandwiched between the usual and longer ‘Talking Flutes’ pods that Clare and Jean-Paul record, we are going to briefly explore the fascinating world of human psychology and behaviour, and specifically the areas of happiness and relaxation for musicians as a counter balance to the eebejeebies, nerves and many anxieties that we have all suffered, or continue to suffer with our music making.
Today, and in this first episode, we're going to start by asking …what is happiness to you and… in the coming weeks in these bite-sized pods we are going to break this down further and also include some short exercises?
Talking Flutes and Talking Flutes Bitesize are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.tjflutes.com
Monday Jan 02, 2023
Monday Jan 02, 2023
Anti-Resolutions!
This week on Talking Flutes and the first one of 2023, Clare and Jean-Paul speak about why they don't make NY resolutions and how small changes in mindset and practice routine can make so much difference to your flute playing.
Let's try once a week breaking the stranglehold of the dots, which can often create pressure and frustration by simply 'Noodling'!
Talking Flutes and Talking Flutes Extra are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.tjflutes.com
Sunday Dec 18, 2022
Sunday Dec 18, 2022
It's good for our wellbeing to take a break!
It's the Festive Edition where Clare and Jean-Paul speak about Christmas activities and practice routines. During this episode we listen to Clare playing the Martinu Sonata and are also serenaded with flute choir music by the brilliant Barry Griffiths.
Clare and Jean-Paul return with a New Year Special on January 2nd so until then, wishing you Seasons Greetings and in advance...a Happy New Year!
Monday Dec 05, 2022
Monday Dec 05, 2022
Understand the composers narrative and your performance will come alive!
In this podcast, Clare takes a look at the beautiful 'Sonate en Concert' by the prolific composer Jean-Michel Damase and two movements, the 'Rondeau' and the 'Aria' from the beautiful and haunting flute piece Suite Antique by John Rutter
Of the ‘Sonate en Concert’ Clare says "in my opinion, Damase doesn't get the credit amongst flute payers that he deserves!'
Composed in 1979, 'Suite Antique' is a concertante work by John Rutter and is written for harpsichord, flute and string orchestra. Rutter composed the piece, in six movements, for a concert at which Bach's fifth Brandenburg concerto was to be performed, and so decided to write the piece for the same ensemble. In this podcast Clare looks at two movements in particular, the 'Rondeau' and the 'Aria'
Please 'Rate - Like - Follow' Talking Flutes 'on whatever podcast provider you are listening on as it helps others to find us!
'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcasts by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com
Thursday Nov 24, 2022
Thursday Nov 24, 2022
Using chocolate instead of tonal colours!
Is there an easy way to learn how to double and triple tongue?
Are specialist flute stores actually a kind of 'Tinder' for flute players?
This week on Talking Flutes Extra, Jean-Paul is flying solo answering some questions received from listeners. He certainly has some interesting theories around new ways to improve the speed of your double and triple tonguing along with using chocolate to describe tone!
He also follows up on a listeners question from the podcast last week where he speaks about opinion vs facts!
'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes' Extra are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.tjflutes.com
Monday Nov 14, 2022
Monday Nov 14, 2022
Being your own self critic and not letting criticism define you!
This week on Talking Flutes Clare and Jean-Paul speaks about the difficulty in being honest with yourself and also with other musicians.
We have to change the inner narrative of the word 'critique' to 'observation' as this can then be one of the important elements of our development.
Talking Flutes & Talking Flutes Extra are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.tjflutes.com
Thursday Nov 03, 2022
Thursday Nov 03, 2022
"Understanding your emotional hook unlocks so much magic in your practice music and performance."
This week on Talking Flutes, Jean-Paul speaks with Founder of 'Etude of the Week' and 'For the Love of Flute' Katy Wherry about her journey and her determination to facilitate a positive and loving 'voice' to every flute player online.
"Growth happens in the hard parts so let's take it on. Let's show up and break that wall down."
'Talking Flutes' is a podcast production by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.tjflutes.com
Monday Oct 24, 2022
Monday Oct 24, 2022
We've all got performance skeletons!
This week on 'Talking Flutes', Clare and Jean-Paul speak about their performance nightmares from getting on the wrong train to the wrong city, to tackling extremely hard pieces.
If you've got any questions or suggestions for future podcast topics or guests, then please send them to us flutepodcasts@gmail.com
'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions sponsored by the TJ Flute Company. For more information visit www.tjflutes.com
Thursday Oct 13, 2022
Thursday Oct 13, 2022
No flute player should be a guru!!"
"It was really hard when I started out on my flute playing journey in the provinces"
This week on a very open and without holding back, the fabulous musician and outspoken flute player Atarah Ben Tovim MBE speaks to Clare about how nobody in London was interested in flute players in the provinces when she started out on her journey.
How as a woman she had to literally break down doors to get heard and taken seriously..."You're just a bulldozer Atarah was often mooted to me!"
'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.tjflutes.com
Monday Oct 03, 2022
Monday Oct 03, 2022
The flute with magic powers?
This week on Talking Flutes, Jean-Paul speaks with the brilliant flute player and musician Dr Noemi Gyori about the importance of explaining colours to enable fluidity of sound.
As Noemi explains, "changing note colour is an art form!"
'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.tjflutes.com
Monday Sep 26, 2022
Monday Sep 26, 2022
The importance of setting achievable goals for your music and study.
In the 'Talking Flutes' podcast this week Clare and Jean-Paul also look at the importance of emotional communication, playing in technicolour, communication as a flute player and after 233 weekly flute podcasts spread over nearly 5 years, we need your help!
'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.tjflutes.com
Monday Sep 19, 2022
Monday Sep 19, 2022
"Spend time with your monsters!"
Creating emotional freedom to perform.
Making friends with the inner critic, that invisible parrot that appears on your shoulder and offers unwelcome thoughts.
This week on 'Talking Flutes Extra' Jean-Paul speaks with the ever happy and positive creative musician, artist and flute player Rozalind MacPhail.
A very happy and insightful interview covering many areas such as how she found her true self beyond the classical genre, composing for films, being a singer as well as a flute player, and introducing a looping piccolo in to an album!
Check out more at https://www.rozalindmacphail.com
'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.tjflutes.com
Monday Sep 12, 2022
Monday Sep 12, 2022
How to stay motivated and structured after a vacation!
"Let's be honest about what ewer can and can't do and then aim to bridge the gap upwards so that our weaknesses begin to catch up with our strengths"
"You have to treat your practice like a job!"
This week Clare and Jean-Paul look at how we need to brush out the cobwebs after a vacation and get structured. How we should immediately stop comparing ourselves and our flute playing with any body else and set small measurable improvements.
'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.tjflutes.com
Monday Sep 05, 2022
Monday Sep 05, 2022
'Funky Fusion Flute Flix' (now say that fast 3 times!)
When you give a brief to a musician, you usually need to supply them with an expected overview of the project, how much artistic freedom they have, how long or short, how many segments, who is the audience, what is the expected outcome…
Early in 2022 the team at TJ flutes said to Grammy and Emmy winning musician José Valentino they wanted to do a project with him which was not like their usual musical adventures together.
The brief to José… to create 10 x 60 secs videos of a brief musical moment in time.
Simple eh?
Not really! José was tasked with writing down 10 things that came to him at one specific moment. Each of these thoughts would then become the name of a track and would then represent the spontaneity of interpretation and freedom of that particular moment in time in which it was recorded. He then had to record the background 'vibe' for each track without knowing what the top line would be.
When in the studio, José had to hold each of the ten thoughts in turn and let himself be free to just play over each track. No re-takes…just one-off moments!
Artistic freedom was there and yet it was at the same time confined between boundaries of imposed time structures dictated by an external entity.
Was each recorded moment actually going to deliver freedom of musical expression, or was the barriers of space within time going to impose creative limits?
Within the time structure, José was artistically free to spontaneously improvise knowing that each moment is always different to the moment before. Creating with freedom and understanding that every recording immediately becomes a reflection of an earlier moment.
Why set a 60 second barrier? The audience. These videos are aimed at the transient and fast moving social media population. Those who expect their information, both auditory and visual to be contained with a brief message via their scrolling finger. Valid in that moment and consigned to the archive when the finger pushed upwards.
'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.tjflutes.com
Monday Aug 29, 2022
Monday Aug 29, 2022
Let's put 'love' at the forefront of everything!
A wonderful double interview interwieved in to a single, longer than usual podcast with stunning musician, flute player and conductor Wissam Boustany.
During the podcast Wissam explains to his long time friend Clare how it really is 'love' that makes the world go around, and that as musicians, we should break down our own barriers and show the audience who we are emotionally. This is what really defines us as creatives!
'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.tjflutes.com
The 'Talking Flutes' Podcast Recipe
The ingredients are very simple.
Take a leading flute player, author, golfer and Professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London (Clare Southworth) and mix with flute player, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Public Speaker and Managing Director of the world famous TJ flute brand (Jean-Paul Wright).
Interviews with world leading flute players including Sir James Galway, Jasmine Choi, Denis Bouriakov, Paul Edmund-Davies, Gareth Davies (too many more beautiful flute playing guests to mention in a single paragraph), and gently mix these together with some Grammy and Emmy winning musicians. Top with metal health awareness advice from Dr Joe Stammeijer and finish with some stunning music, laughs and plenty of fun.