Talking Flutes

'Burn-out'. The signs to look for in yourself and others, and what you can do as musicians to alleviate the effects of the downward slope. This week, and for the next 5, instead of taking the usual summer break, we are looking back over some of our favourite podcasts from a while back. This week Dr Roelof Joe Stammeijer talks with Clare about a subject we can all relate to 'Burnout' and 'coping with pressure!' 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

"Why you and your actions define you and your flute playing" In the final part of your questions answered pt 4, Clare and Jean-Paul speak about breathing for relaxation and motivation, why taking a summer break is good for your flute playing and creating a 'Mood Board' of melodies is a positive way to utilise your warm-ups with how you are feeling. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

"Flutist, Flautist, Flute player?" The name really does matter to some! This week on "Your flute questions answered part 3" Clare and Jean-Paul look at Clare's favourite recording of her playing 'Valse Caprice" by Daniel S. Wood and look at the pros and cons of listening to recordings of pieces you're playing. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

"My parents want me to study an academic subject and I want to study music performance, what can I do?" This week on 'Talking Flutes', Clare and Jean-Paul answer more questions which you have been sending in. From growing your Instagram account to should I study a non musical subject at University? 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

De-Ge-De-Ge or Te-Ke-Te-Ke or Du-Gu-Du-Gu or Tu-Ku-Tu-Ku what is the right way to double tongue? Part 1 or 4 - In 'Talking Flutes' this week, Clare and Jean-Paul begin the process of answering all the flute playing questions that you've been sending in. "How do you double and triple tongue may seem an easy question to those who can do it but to young flute players, learning to do it is completely dependent on so many factors. Clare also speaks up about her love for the Open G# mechanism and why so many principal orchestral flute players still use this system. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

"Circular breathing is a good warm up!" "We all look at sound in a very unique way. To some visual people colours work, but to me, it's about vocal sounds..." This week on 'Talking Flutes Extra' Jean-Paul speaks with the brilliant Spanish flute player Frederic Sanchez about his passion for teaching and his journey to help other flute players "find their voice". Conducted via zoom and also 'Live' on social media the podcast audio has some issues when Frederic demonstrates on the flute but that aside, sit back and listen to the wisdom of how "You need to love your voice...Your Flute Voice!" You can find Frederic Sanchez on Instagram @fredericflute 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

'Embarkation - The resilience of humanity amid Covid-19' So this week and with modern technology continuing to be at the forefront (We in the UK still can’t travel to the USA due to covid restrictions) I managed to catch up with Latin Grammy and Emmy winning composer, musician and polymath Jose Valentino at his home in Florida a couple of days ago to speak about his stunning new album ‘Embarkation – The resilience of humanity amid covid-19 which he’s just completed with the brilliant Bruno Miranda and featuring Vladimir Suarez, Jose Leonardo Leon and Derris Lee. And as you will hear, what started out as a general chit chat about the album, developed in to us listening to the whole recording and chatting about each piece. So sit back and enjoy my chat with José which includes lots of flute playing. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

"We need stimulating studies and not ones that crush or demoralise you!" In 'Talking Flutes' this week, Clare speaks again with the fabulous Elizabeth Walker this time on the important subject of study books. In this hour long podcast they discuss many areas of flute studies for tone development, finger technique, articulation, sequences and take a look at their favourite study books in each of these areas. From Moyse to Bernold, Karg-Elert to Robert Winn, Anderson to Robert Dick and so many more. We always love hearing from you so please continue to send in your comments and suggestions for future podcasts to [email protected] or via the 'Talking Flutes' Facebook page. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

"We need to cut the umbilical with those nerves and just let go when we improvise - now more than ever we need some fun in our lives" This week Jean-Paul revisits a podcast going back a little while when he caught up in the beautiful Santa Monica in Los Angeles with the then, new Emmy wining musicians José Valentino (flute) and Gualo (guitar). Since this recording was originally aired, both Gualo and José have gone on to win countless more awards including a Latin grammy win for Jose only a few months ago. In normal times, the stresses of study, finding work and then performances are immense for most performing artists. Combine this with the additional issues faced during the last 18 months of Covid-19 and that L world ‘Lockdown’…. and the word ‘fun’ in particular has been bottom of many of our vocabularies as the virus still continues to ravage populations around the world whilst musicians have an continue to struggle to make ends meet and put food on the table. So in choosing the podcast this week, I just wanted us to at least begin to look at the ‘fun’ word again in our music making. When we listen to music we use it to escape, to remember, to smile, to dance, to cry, or to find ourselves motivated and stimulated by an auditory pattern of sounds that goes deep within our being. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by TJ flutes in the UK. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com So for the next 58 minutes, sit back and listen to these wonderful musicians improvising and speaking about the importance of that ‘F’ word!

"I love taking a spark of an idea and being able to formulate a new instrument or changes to an existing one!" In 'Talking Flutes Extra' this week, Jean-Paul speaks with David Farley technical director at TJ flutes in London (U.K) about his last 30 years of working with musical instruments, and his dedication and commitment to learning from the great makers before us. David also speaks about the wonderful new 'Voce' headjoint, the new wooden flute that he's designed and his drive to get the Open G# flute back in to circulation at an affordable price. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

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 [email protected] '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, the band played to over three million people. In the late 1980s, BBC Radio Three made the programme Atarah's Music Box, all about children and music. Omnibus devoted a programme to her work, as did Blue Peter and Magpie. Her own television series, Atarah's Music, aimed at primary school children, aired in 1982. Together with her husband Douglas Boyd she published The Right Instrument for Your Child followed by You Can Make Music!. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute Company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

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.thehappyflutist.com 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

"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 information about Andrea and her wealth of flute activities by visiting www.kuypers.co.uk 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

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 [email protected] 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 people. Ethnomusicologists have noted the breathy timbres of the flute being inspired by the sacredness of humanity's first experience listening to music, which is in the mother's womb hearing her breathe, as well as her heartbeat which is conveyed by the profound rhythmic nuances on the piano. In Latin American countries, flutes have been purposed by native tribes to transport listeners into the spiritual realm during worship ceremonies and are subsumed as appointed instruments for amelioration, both physically and emotionally - a tool utilized during the earliest forms of music therapy. The etymology of the word, "Sacre", denotes the dedication or setting apart for the service or worship of the Creator. When an entity is sacred, it is considered worthy of spiritual respect or devotion; or inspiring awe and reverence among observers. Sacredness can be applied to the expressions of creativity including ethnic and cultural wonders of the human experience such as music, the arts, relationships, communication, a person's place of origin, and so forth. Philosophically, it is the reverence for a person's identity, purpose, and role. A derivative of the word, "sacre", is "sacrifice", which is one of the greatest actions and attributes of displayed love for another person. Composers Carlos Fernando Lopez [who performed the piano] and Dr. José Valentino Ruiz [who performed the flute] aimed to create a piece the takes listeners on a sonic journey portraying the human experience; the beauties of cultural diversity, inclusivity, and equity which is (1) musically-observed by the respect, unity, and dialogue between the pianist and flutist, and (2) reflected in the harmonic, rhythmic, and timbral expressivity inspired by the quartal and harmonic traditions of Western European's Impressionism, Afro-Latin American polyrhythmic drumming, and indigenous textural expressions on the flute akin to the Colombian zampoña and Peruvian kena. In just five minutes and twenty-five seconds, Lopez and Ruiz, provide a chronological road map of the human condition evoking the sacredness and inception of birth to a person's emotional uncovering of the world being both breathtakingly-beautiful [hence the breathy flute sound] and turbulent [hence the piano insinuating pain, war, and struggle]. Ultimately, the listener arrives to a halt and an inner destination where s/he realises that life well-lived requires for humanity to humble themselves and connect with the Creator [evoked with the rubato drone of "eternity" played by the piano and the vocalisations on flute] to plea for restoration for the world. Through the eye’s and ear’s observance of "what IS sacred" such as people's lives, people's identities, people's heritage, and people's hopes and dreams, the person realises that sacredness is omnipresent and must be preserved, not abolished. At the end of the composition, Lopez and Ruiz recapitulate the opening theme as to posit a question to listeners: "Now the you have heard and seen the sacred things that this world has to offer, how will you respond to preserve the sacredness of humanity?" In these unprecedented and tumultuous times, with the manifestation of COVID-19 and the breaking point of racial injustice in the world, Lopez's and Ruiz's Classical contemporary composition serves to provide listeners with a piece of music that tugs at the heart of humanity and compels listeners to re-evaluate their understanding of what is sacred, ultimately, to inspire them to proactively protect the sacredness of what it means to be human, to love, to respect, and to celebrate the vast expressions of the Creator's wonder ever so present in our daily lives. For more information on José Valentino then check out his website www.josevalentino.com 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' and podcast productions by the TJ Flute Company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

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 flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

"Teaching is not a science, it's artistically very easy!" In 'Talking Flutes Extra' this week Jean-Paul talks with William Dowdall Professor of Flute at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin about Syrinx, flute playing and his wonderful new short flute teaching videos. Get your free original Syrinx flute score via www.williamdowdall.com 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

Motivations for change in 2021! With the devastation that Covid has caused to music, musicians and people around the world in 2020, Clare and Jean-Paul discuss their hopes for the New Year and 2021 as a a whole that Vaccines will bring to humanity. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute family. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

Banishing 2020 to history and looking forward to 2021! In this festive edition, Clare and Jean-Paul talk about their Christmas traditions and also the importance of planning your flute practice to give yourself permission to take a little time off. On behalf of the team at 'Talking Flutes' and TJ flutes, may we wish you a very happy Christmas and my 2021 bring you much joy and good health! 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by teh TJ flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

"Being homesick for my culture during this festive time of the year." In this 'Extra' podcast, Jean-Paul catches up again with NY based Swedish musician and flute player Elsa Nilsson at the end of a turbulent year for her. They discuss how she is feeling now and also look at her new album 'Dark is Light is'. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

Happy Birthday!! The legacy of Sir James Galway with the 'Galway Flute Academy' "Get a book on singing, read the first chapter on breathing and then apply it to your flute playing.'' "There are no short cuts to playing the flute..." In this special 'Talking Flutes', Clare speaks via Zoom to Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway at their home in Switzerland. As you can expect there is so much wisdom about playing the flute, flute studies, tone and excessive moving when playing! They also talk about 'The Galway Flute Academy and their work and dedication in expanding this wonderful resource for flute players around the world. www.thegalwayfluteacademy.com 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

What it's like to play 'l'apres midi' and the punishing schedule of being an orchestral flute player. "If you're not sure if you want to be a flute player, then if you have to ask that question...don't!" Due to the overwhelming response from the podcast last week, Gareth Davies - Principal Flute of the London Symphony Orchestra returns and speaks with Clare about the wonderful book he's written entitled 'The Show Must Go On' - about life on tour with the LSO in 1912 and 2012. An honest dialogue from this lovely man and beautiful flute player, full of insight and real life experience. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute Company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

"It's a given that you've got technical prowess at an audition so don't play anything complicated...you'll impress nobody!" One of the most insightful flute podcasts of the last 12 months with wonderful insight in to orchestral auditions and what, and how to play. Arguably the best flute job in the world! Principal Flute of the London Symphony Orchestra Gareth Davies speaks with Clare Southworth in an honest an open 'Talking Flutes' podcast talking about how he's definitely not a flute fanatic and never dreamt of being in the top flute seat in the LSO. There's flute playing advice coming out of every second of this podcast with a clear guide as to how you should go about playing your flute! 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the Trevor James Flute Company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

Hey Mr Moyse, what's with that pipe? To celebrate 'Thanksgiving' in the USA, this week on 'Talking Flutes' Clare and Jean-Paul talk about some of the many flute related things they are thankful for. They mention about how they stumbled across the flute at the start, their first flute teachers, how Marcel Moyse study books convinced Jean-Paul he would never be a world class player, and how we should all be thankful for Sir James Galway! 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' is a podcast production by the Trevor James Flute Company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

How we teach and how our students learn! In 'Talking Flutes' this week Clare returns from a walk along the beach with her beloved dogs and reflects about how teaching in these strange times will change the way we think about flute tuition in the coming years. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' and podcast productions by the TJ flute Company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

"Size really does matter!" In 'Talking Flutes Extra' this week, Jean-Paul speaks to musician, flute player, author, teacher, arranger and composer Stephen Clark about his very successful publication 'The Flute Gym'. They talk about the benefits of transitioning from hard copy sheet music to doing practice and performing via iPad and blue tooth pedal to turn pages, warming up using a drone tone from your mobile phone, and how having done many performances via Zoom and other platforms during this year of Covid lockdowns and live music decimation, he now believes that a musician can "get away with murder in a real concert compared to an online recital!" 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the Trevor James flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

"It oozes out of every pore!" This week on 'Talking Flutes Extra' Jean-Paul speaks with Principal Flute of the RTE National Symphony Orchestra about the most important part of musical communication. Using your 'tone' and how when listen to a good flute player, their sound comes oozing out of their pores as they communicate a story to an audience. How Covid-19 has affected her love for making music with others and we also speak about her love for Tea! Please keep sending your questions and suggestions for future podcasts to [email protected] and to @talkingflutes on FB and @tjflutes on IG or @flute on Twitter. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute Company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

Squashed and lost flutes, buckets of thrown urine and breaking down on the edge of an English mountain at 3 am in full concert dress...and much much more! In 'Talking Flutes' Halloween podcast this week, Clare and Jean-Paul recount their musical nightmares! Please continue to send in your suggestions for future podcasts including guests by email to [email protected] 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. for more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

"I can't see Hollywood movie and T.V music sessions ever being a permanently remote operation post Covid." In 'Talking Flutes Extra' this week Jean-Paul speaks with L.A based Gina Luciani about the change to remote orchestral recordings for Hollywood TV and films during Covid-19. Gina also talks about re-arranging the famous 'Carmen Fantasy' for flute and how she has been true to the original opera and taken inspiration from violin versions for the extra virtuosic flair! She also talks about her dream that sheet music publishers will make the design of music book front covers as exciting to look at as the old album and CD covers of the past. You can send in your flute questions or suggestions for future podcasts to [email protected] or you can message us on FB @talkingflutes and on Instagram @tjflutes 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

"Life rarely works out as you initially think it will!" This week on 'Talking Flutes Extra' Jean-Paul speaks with composer and flutist Nicole Chamberlain about her career in 3D animation, and then the sudden and complete change in her direction to becoming a successful flutist and composer. Please keep sending your questions and suggestions for future podcasts to [email protected] and to @talkingflutes on FB and @tjflutes on IG or @flute on Twitter. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute Company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

"Breaking musical boundaries...It's much more about instinct" This week in 'Talking Flutes Extra' Jean-Paul speaks with the fabulous queen of Low Flutes Carla Rees. Covering many aspects of flute playing from motivation, how making a mistake can be a hugely positive learning experience, how improvisation isn't as hard as you think it is through to her development of an online full or part time music degree accessible to all. For information on the online degree programme Carla speaks about in the podcast, visit https://www.oca.ac.uk/our-tutors/carla-rees/ 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute Company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

Exercise and Music are like the 'Yin and the Yang' Celebrity Hollywood Personal Trainer and flutist Ridge Davis talks about his journey from doing his flute Masters at Coburn with the legendary Jim Walker to becoming 'Ridge Davis' the fitness guru. The key to any goal directed exercise or study is in 'chunking' your work. Setting smaller goals and give your self the mantra "Yes I can - Yes it will" For more information on Ridge then visit www.ridgedavis.com Please keep sending your questions and suggestions for future podcasts to [email protected] and to @talkingflutes on FB and @tjflutes on IG or @flute on Twitter. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute Company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

The musical pulse keeps the music alive! 'Who I was and how I identified myself with... was suddenly gone!" We have an extra 'Talking Flutes Extra' this week where we catch up with Elsa Nilsson who on a previous podcast recorded last May, was struggling to cope with complete lockdown in NY. We also speak about how she is feeling now and how she has taken her tutor book 'Between the Beats' to a wider audience by making teaching videos available on the Patreon platform to bring the unique concept to a wider flute playing audience. https://www.patreon.com/join/betweenthebeats 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

The joy of playing in a group and developing your musical ear can't be understated. In this 'Talking Flutes' podcast, Professor of Flute at the Royal Academy of Music in London Clare Southworth reminisces about playing in the very popular British flute group called 'Bamboozle' 30 years ago and the fun they had playing on radio and TV. We love receiving your emails with questions and suggestions for future podcasts. Please continue to send them in to [email protected] or you can post them on FB @talkingflutes, Instagram @tjflutes and @clareflute 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

Video game music gives the flute arranger interesting problems! In 'Talking Flutes Extra' this week, the uber popular Barry Griffiths aka @grizzlyflute on Instagram talks about designing his posts, his lavish and often complex arrangements and the simply fact that he takes no notice of any algorithms. He just posts when he wants to! Please keep sending your questions and suggestions for future podcasts to [email protected] and to @talkingflutes on FB and @tjflutes on IG or @flute on Twitter. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute Company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com

"It's so important to learn music by memory as you listen so much more when you're not looking at the dots!' On 'Talking Flutes' this week we talk to the phenomenally talented musician, composer, author and producer Mike Mower about his life in music, making it big with his group 'Itchy Fingers' and also with working and arranging music and albums with Sir James Galway. Please keep sending your questions and suggestions for future podcasts to [email protected] and to @talkingflutes on FB and @tjflutes on IG or @flute on Twitter. 'Talking Flutes' and 'Talking Flutes Extra' are podcast productions by the TJ flute Company. For more information visit www.trevorjamesflutes.com