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Brass instraments...and Flutes

Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2006 8:58 pm
by roan520
I've always wondered, i play flute, and i while ago while listening to some flute players play i heard one of them buzz thier lips while playing (A MISTAKE) in the higer notes. So since you have to buzz your lips when playing brass, would it be possible to play flute and a brass instrament?

Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2006 9:19 pm
by JazzGeek
But of course! I've played flute longer than I've played the trombone, so, yeah it's possible to play both. My old friend Jimmy Brown, of the old school r&b band "Brick", plays trumpet, sax, flute and trombone equally well---check out his solos on the tune "Happy" from their debut album (circa 1978).... 8-)

Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 3:44 pm
by Harsona42
It's definitely possible, but you really have to decide how much time you want to devote to practice. To be able to play flute and a brass instrument, and both at a proficient level, would require a very hefty amount of practice time to maintain your embouchure for both instruments. Your flute playing abilities will probably suffer slightly because you will be developing new muscles in your embouchure for brass playing. However, if you just want to be able to noodle around on the instrument, it shouldn't be too much trouble.

I'm not sure if your seriously considering learning a brass instrument but if you are, you do have one thing going for you: air support. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that flute and tuba are the two instruments that require the most air so you shouldn't have too much trouble in that area.

P.S.-I'd recommend Trombone :tbone: :clap:

Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 4:56 pm
by uncheckedtrumpet
Harsona is correct on the air support required for flute and tuba. 8-)

Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 9:53 pm
by roan520
but wouldn't there be a tendency to want to buzz while playing flute?

Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:04 pm
by ZJH
I would think that there wouldn't be buzzing while playing the flute once you get accustomed to playing both instruments. It may happen due to adjusting your embouchure during the beginning, but as you settle in, I don't see why that would happen. I'm just speaking speculatively, of course; I'm only a flute player and a singer. ;p

but why?

Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:57 am
by Chapagne
The question I would ask is, why double that way? I don't see many jobs out there for flute/brass doublers. However, being able to play several woodwind instruments is in demand. If it's just for fun, that's cool, but if you're thinking of going pro, I don't think it's very useful.

Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 6:17 pm
by Fluba
Yup As has been said, there is not much of a change from flute air to tuba (or bass bone) air. Its not until you get to a baritone (or small bore euph, if there is such a thing) or a regular bore trombone that you start to notice the resistance. I really don notice the resistance anymore though, even when I noodle around on a horn or trumpet. Only horn that I have ever felt resistance on that was annoying was a shoulder euphonium bugle that one of the guys at RCC has.

But remember, flute players will make the switch to most any instrument easily enough. You have air, so don't be afraid to use it. And, yes, it feels a little weird to go back to flute after playing brass. I find my self using too much air on my flute now at time. Its fun though. Makes you work for a better tone.

And, yes, as my name implies, I do flute and tuba. And Bass Bone and, well, almost anything that you give me a fingering chart to.

Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:49 pm
by copycat
french horn would be a good option too, according to an ex-instructor of mine. I forgot why though... :oops:

I was a flute player myself and I found tuba not too difficult to pick up as well

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 8:29 pm
by PeterPanIsWhoIam
yeah i play oboe and frech horn so definitely possible

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 1:42 am
by Not2Cre8tive
ya! its possible!.

i played flute like 7 years.. then for marching band my teacher asked me to play tuba.. its fun :)

as for the wanting to buzz on the flute.. if you just played a song 200 times in a row.. then try and pick up a flute and play.. the first couple minutes.. ya! :P


yay for Flubas~

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:02 pm
by FluteOfTheNewWorld
Trumpet through 6th grade, then flute starting in 7th.

Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 10:34 pm
by LoyalTubist
roan520 wrote:but wouldn't there be a tendency to want to buzz while playing flute?
Good tubists don't buzz their lips when they play. There is an aperture between their lips, making the cleanest sound possible.

Re: Brass instraments...and Flutes

Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 7:21 pm
by Music_freak211
Yeah, it's definitely possible. I play flute and I'm learning tuba and I haven't too many problems.