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 May 29, 2023
Monday May 29, 2023
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
Monday May 22, 2023
Monday May 22, 2023
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
Monday May 15, 2023
Monday May 15, 2023
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.
Another way to use creative visualisation is to mentally rehearse challenging performance situations. For example, if you're nervous about playing a solo in front of an audience, you could visualise yourself playing the solo flawlessly and receiving a positive response from the audience. By doing this, you're preparing your mind and body for the actual performance and increasing your chances of success.
Visualisation can also be used to improve our physical technique on our instrument. By mentally rehearsing difficult passages, we can help train our muscle memory and make it easier to execute those passages accurately and effortlessly. This can be especially helpful for musicians who struggle with tension or physical discomfort while playing.
In addition to using visualisation on our own, we can also use it in collaboration with our teachers or coaches. For example, a coach might guide us through a visualisation exercise that helps us overcome a specific technical challenge or mental block. Alternatively, a teacher might ask us to visualise ourselves performing a piece in a particular style or with a specific musical expression, helping us to better understand the musical intent and communicate it through our playing.
When using creative visualisation, it's important to make the mental imagery as vivid and detailed as possible. Try to engage as many senses as you can - imagine the feel of the instrument in your hands, the sound of the music, the sensation of the stage lights, and so on. The more vivid the mental image, the more effective the visualisation will be.
It's also important to practice visualisation regularly, ideally incorporating it into your daily practice routine. This will help you build up a strong mental image of yourself as a confident and skilled musician, and make it easier to access that mental state when you need it during a performance.
One of the main benefits of creative visualisation is that it can help reduce anxiety and nerves before a performance. If we can mentally rehearse the scenario and feel confident in our abilities, we're much more likely to feel calm and collected when the time comes to perform. Visualisation can also help us develop a sense of control over the situation, which can be especially helpful in high-pressure performance situations. In the case of musicians, this might mean visualising ourselves performing flawlessly on stage or nailing a difficult passage in a piece we're working on.
But creative visualisation isn't just about reducing anxiety. It can also help us improve our technical skills and musicality. By visualising ourselves playing a piece with perfect technique and musical expression, we're training our brains to recognise and replicate those qualities in our actual playing.
Visualisation can also help us identify areas where we may need to focus our practice, such as difficult technical passages or tricky musical phrases.
Another benefit of creative visualisation is that it can help us stay focused and present during a performance. By mentally rehearsing the piece beforehand, we're better able to stay in the moment and react to any unexpected changes that may occur. This can be especially important in ensemble playing, where we need to be aware of our surroundings and respond to the other musicians around us.
So, how do we actually go about using creative visualisation as musicians? There are a few different approaches you can take. One is to simply close your eyes and visualise yourself performing a piece from start to finish, imagining every detail from the way your fingers move on the instrument to the sound of the audience applauding at the end. You can also focus on specific aspects of the performance, such as a difficult passage or a particular musical phrase that you want to improve.
Another approach is to use guided visualisation exercises. These can be found online or in books on the topic, and typically involve listening to a recording or reading a script that guides you through a visualisation exercise. These exercises may be general or specific to a particular piece or performance situation.
It's important to note that creative visualisation isn't a magic cure-all for performance anxiety or technical challenges. It's simply one tool that we can use to help us prepare for a performance and improve our skills. It's still important to put in the necessary practice time and take care of ourselves physically and mentally leading up to a performance.
It's worth noting that creative visualisation isn't a substitute for actual practice. While visualisation can help improve our skills and prepare us for performances, it's still important to put in the necessary practice time and effort to develop our technique and musicianship. Think of visualisation as a supplement to your practice routine, rather than a replacement for it.
In conclusion, creative visualisation is a powerful tool that can help musicians improve their performance skills, build confidence, reduce anxiety, and stay focused and present during a performance. By using visualisation regularly and making the mental imagery as vivid as possible, we can train our brains to recognise and replicate the qualities we want to exhibit in our playing.
I’m going to leave you with a question….”What are you going to visualise today which will benefit your own musical performance?”
Monday May 08, 2023
Monday May 08, 2023
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
Monday May 01, 2023
Monday May 01, 2023
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
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Monday Apr 24, 2023
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
Monday Apr 17, 2023
Monday Apr 17, 2023
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
Monday Apr 10, 2023
Monday Apr 10, 2023
"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
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Monday Apr 03, 2023
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
Monday Mar 27, 2023
Monday Mar 27, 2023
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
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
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.