Flute School FAQ

Are you accepting new students?
I am now accepting students for Spring 2010 in Campbell and Mountain View.
How can my child or I get the most out of private flute lessons?
In some ways, private instrumental lessons are like working with a personal trainer to further your physical fitness goals. You can also draw similarities from other sports such as tennis or even basketball. You meet with your private teacher typically once a week. The teacher/coach evaluates your current performance and suggests new exercises or suggests changes in your form and how you perform the exercises. You are then expected to perform the new exercises or try to apply the changes in your form while you perform the exercies on your own during the week. At the next lesson, your teacher/coach assesses your progress and suggests new exercises or changes so you that you will improve your form, technique and fitness.

In short, you or your child is responsible for your own progress. Pay attention to the suggestions given to you at the lesson and apply them in your individual practice sessions. The improvement occurs between lessons, in your daily practice sessions, not at the lessons. For most people, this takes a lot of discipline. I will be your cheerleader and coach but I can't make you a better flutist if you don't put in the effort outside of the lesson.
How much practice do I need?
The amount of time you put in the gym for your physical fitness is similar to the amount of time you need to put into your flute practice. I am not a health expert but I've heard that you need to engage in exercise a few days a week, every week in order to maintain current weight or level of fitness. If you want to lose weight or improve your level of fitness, you are supposed to engage in exercise most days of the week, every week. I truly believe that this is also the case for flute study. If you want to improve as a flutist, you need to practice at least 5 days a week. If you want to maintain your current level of playing, just practice 3 days a week. I assume that you want to improve your flute playing if you take flute lesson with me. Therefore, I expect you to practice 5 days a week.

If you are a student who plays flute in the school band 5 days a week, those band classes are not enough practice for someone taking private flute lessons. If you are taking private lessons, I assume that you want to be challenged beyond what is offered in your school music program. Again, (I love comparing music study to sports) if you really want to be a good basketball player, 5 days of P.E. class at school is not going to make you into a fantastic basketball player. You need to play a lot of basketball after school, perhaps join a league, and work with a good coach.

For every day that you practice, you may need to practice 30 minutes to 1 hour or more. 30 minutes a day is quite manageable if you plan the practice time into your daily schedule and routine. I will work with you to suggest an appropriate duration of practice on an individual basis.
I am a busy adult, how much do I really have to practice?
If you are a beginner with little or no prior musical training, you will need to find a way practice 5 days a week. This is important for muscle memory and coordination since playing a musical instrument involves all your senses and your entire body. You can't depend only on your intellect or short term memory. You may need to keep up this level of practice for the first 6 months, depending on your progress. If you already play at an intermediate level, you can get away with less practice. Since you are an adult student, I'm happy to see you at lessons even if you are not completely prepared as long as you are making progress. Even as an adult student, you need to set a practice schedule and stick to it, even if it's only twice a week.
Should I rent or buy a flute for my child or myself?
Renting a student flute at first, until you are certain that you or your child will continue with the flute, is a good idea. I do not recommend buying a flute on your own. However, if you decide to purchase a flute, I'd be happy to give you some recommendations and/or go with you to a music store to help you select a good quality instrument.
What should I prepare for the audition?
1. Prepare any piece that you can play well. It can be a solo piece or even a piece that you are playing in your school band.
2. Prepare two scales.
3. Prepare to sing a song of your choice. It can be any song that you like and can sing well.
4. I may also ask you to sight-read a piece or rhythmic exercise.

Beginners who do not have a flute or can't play any songs on the flute yet do not have to prepare anything in particular. However, I may ask you to sing something with me.
Where can I rent or buy a flute?
A list of music stores in the Peninsula and South Bay can be found here. Student flute rental rates are generally between $20-25 per month. Many music stores also offer a rent-to-own or buy-back program. I do not recommend renting a flute from a store without an in-house repair facility and repair professional.
Why do you require auditions and interviews for new students?
The audition and interview is important for both teacher and student since most private lesson teacher-student relationships last many years. During the interview process we can determine if I am the right teacher for you or your child. For children under 13 years old, the interview is more with the parents than with the child.
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