I wish I was first flute, but I'm okay with being second. I kinda sit away from the flutes anyway and I'm closer to the oboe player, so we just call ourselves the floboe section.
I play the second chair in a professional orchestra, and it is a doubling job. Playing the piccolo can be fun, but hurtful in practice sometimes. Some people think that the principal is the best flutist, that is not always the case. Each part plays a different role in the orchestra. Each flutist have a personality, some match others dont. I personally prefer playing principal in which goes forward my personality and sound, and I really miss it. If you play with a principal who has a small sound, more conservative, you will be in constant check. In other hand, it helps in gaining in flexibility. Great topic choice. Regards from Brazil!
Second flute is great. We're the ones that make the music that truly stands out during a performance. The audience remembers the flute section thanks to the second flute part that creates such beautiful harmony. We bring the flute section to life and to levels higher than it could attain on its own. We can't rest on our laurels or hide behind other well placed flutists. A well played second flute part is no less important than a well played first flute part. Get out there now and practice and be proud! ( I do think a revision to second flute terminology is needed and re-education of the profession as well.)
I like rotating the chair placement! I also love performing solo repertoire! BUT if I had to pick one placement, I would definitely agree that sitting in second chair just gives you the pleasure of sitting back and enjoying the music being played live around you. I also feel like it trains you to learn how to blend with other musicians, and when you're making embouchure changes or working on tone development, playing second flute gives you opportunities to try out the changes without being as nervous as you would be if you were principal. Especially for a younger musician like me who's constantly trying to advance my tone [(-_-')] , playing second flute definitely gives me opportunities for growth no matter how simple my part is. GO 2ND FLUTES!
+Arin Abramovich Sarkissian Isn't it great? I did a lot of tone and technique experimentation while I was in the 2nd chair too... and a lot of staring at how my friends approached the flute, hahaha! I learned so much just by having time to watch them! :D
I play third/picc and love, love, love it! Wouldn't do anything else. Being a mom of 3 and a wife AND having a part time job means not much time, so not being scored on every piece or playing every concert works well. Also, I am relatively new to playing the flute (will be 5 years in spring. started from scratch), this is my first year in orchestra. I didn't know much about orchestral playing. Didn't even play picc until AFTER the audition (don't recommend it, by the way. Love it, but it is a lot of slow work. OMG, intonation is something else) I didn't realize how soloistic piccolo parts can be. It can only be described as long periods of (boring) rest counting with terrible entrances on 16 second solos. I only had once concert where picc played pretty much everything. That one could be entitled 'How many pieces with picc solos can you program, before you call it a solo picc recital' :) In any case, it's a lot of fun.
+OBunger LOL!!! I know the feel! I was placed on piccolo for the entirety of my 2nd year in university. I should talk about that sometime in a future video. It definitely pushed me to be more confident when I come in to play a solo! So glad you're having fun with this, keep on keeping on! :D
+Uppish (John F) scratch that, meant 482 measures. 28 measures of playing after that was just a nightmare. But I had a seat right next to the pianist. Best seat in the house on the night of the concert. Our school rented an $80,000 piano XD
I love being principal more than second honestly, I feel like the more solos the scarier it is and it's like negative reinforcement. But at the same time I also love piccolo, and in flute choir I love alto flute. I love intonation and the challenge of pitch control. But in college I really love watching my flute friends faces light up when they solo so we swap chairs! It's so fun
2nd flute gets cool harmonies, but 1st flute gets better parts sometimes. For example: Strange Humors by John Mackey. I played it in All county last year, my part was boring AF xD but in concert band, there were 4 flutes, and 4 flute parts, I played 3rd, and the harmonies were just heaven
+Catie Monroe? Hahaha, it really does depend on the piece! Sometimes composers don't know how to write for flutes, so you get dumb parts no matter what chair you play, or the first flutist is overworked, while the 2nd and 3rd flutists are just sitting twiddling their thumbs, hahahaha!
LOVE playing second flute! Never thought I'd get to play in an orchestra after college so when an opportunity for 2nd flute (sometimes picc) happened, I jumped at it. And SO happy I did!!!
In choir, I like being 2nd Soprano or Alto because I like just hearing the Soprano 1's sing super high and I like singing harmony as opposed to the basic melody.
This video made me enjoy sitting in second so much more and cherish how much being second flute teaches you about the flute and the orchestra! Thank you!
Hi Joanna! I turned pro at 14 playing the trumpet but I always preferred 2nd Chair over 1st Chair.(as long as I was 1st Chair, 2nd..the trumpet player in me 😎). In band the 2nd chair plays the main melody in most pieces and that's what people come to hear and that's what you remember through the years. The soloist was the person who sounds the best on a particular song/performance and venue. I earned solo parts while playing 3rd Chair. Coming from South Florida the competition was always extreme! You really were fortunate to play any part to get on stage. I really like your videos especially when you teach your Mother..Awesome! Anthony
I just spent the last Boston Symphony concert watching Elizabeth Ostling. It was interesting to have a different point of reference and to listen to the performance through her ears.
I'm a college saxophonist and I love playing harmonies. Harmonies bring out the melody and make the band sound louder. I love sitting behind the brass. (The saxophones are usually between the woodwinds and the brass in a symphonic band/wind ensemble.) It also gives you clear view of the conductor. Plus, playing harmony is just plain fun!
+Elizabeth Liu Yes!!!! I love playing harmony too! I love that feeling when you hit a harmony note with other instruments, and it just gives you goosebumps!! Ahhhh 😍
i am a violinist, and although i do like playing solo, i love to play towards the back of the first violin section (which i mainly do now) or playing principal/co-principal second violin, as i do in my youth orchestra. However, in string quartets and quintets i love to play the second violin part, as i love to blend, because in order to create the right blend, many composers made the second violin and viola play very interesting parts. second violin in a quartet is very similar in role to second flute, as you are sat in the center of all the wonderful parts being played around you, and you can get solos very often, as many composers would pass around solos between the two violins.
I'm an oboist( and english horn) and frankly I like each seat. I find that there are positives and negatives to each position. I've played mostly second and english horn, but I've had my time in the principal seat as well. There was one occasion that I was happy I was playing second. It was during a summer concert with a community chamber orchestra. The guy who played first had studied under the same teacher I had been studying with and still occasionally take lessons from. One of the pieces was Handel's Queen of Sheba. Basically a double oboe concerto with the oboes not only filling the solo spot but also the tutti. It was a tough piece. Our parts were very similar and I was glad to be second.
+Crystal Garrard It is SO awesome to play with flutists who study under the same teacher as you! I think what intrigued me the most was seeing how they applied the same concepts that I learned. It's surprising how differently other students will interpret the same concept! It really opens your eyes. :)
I love being 2nd Horn. I get every fun parts. I don't like solos as much, but I also love the low register. It's beautiful and amazing parts. Trombone, tenor sax, alto sax, sometimes clarinet parts. It's a perfect blend
I remember in flute magazines they'd always do articles on the principle flutist of an orchestra or even the third flute/piccolo, but never 2nd flutists. I always thought they should have. My private teacher had to play 4th flute, 2nd piccolo and Alto flute in The Planets. Personally I thought that would have made a great article
So weird you decided on this topic, I have a chair test this coming week! I'm actually shooting for second chair in Wind Ensemble! I am currently 4th and I actually really like that chair because I sit in the second row and the first row scares me lol. I was first chair in concert band last year and I didn't like it that much. Too much pressure to play perfect all of the time. I really want second or keep my fourth chair. Chairs don't really matter to me to be honest, I just like being in band in general no matter what chair I am.
I am a 1st flutist, but I was a second flutist in honor band, in our flute section, there were five of us, the top 2 flutes in both the 3rd and 4th period classes joined together and became the 1st flutists.
I'm currently seated first chair,first flute.My band only has one piccolo so I pick up the solo parts if she does not. I find it to be very intimidating and refreshing at the same time because I finally get to help my section.But I am new to my band and on my first try I got first flute and first chair while there are and seniors who are second flutes and below me (I am a sophomore) I plan to join an orchestra soon.Lets see how that goes.
I'm a first chair flute player in the ensemble I'm in now, (which I love because it inspires me to do better in a way, considering there's a lot of pressure on me at times) but next year when I get into the highest ensemble (which I auditioned for and got 2nd chair) I'll have a second part and I'll have to play that too. But I'm okay with playing second part as well. Like you said about 2nd having completely different parts, that scares me a whole lot, especially considering that I've never been in this ensemble before.
I agree that second flute is equally important and enjoyable in more intense orchestral rep, but there's that awkward late high school/youth orchestra period where it just double flute 1 down the octave/a third and rests a lot.
Just found this channel literally like 20 minutes ago LOL I'm shopping for a new piccolo to play in band and some how your Jupiter/Yahama flute video from 2011 popped up. I play in a small community band, there are only two flute players. Since I've been in the band the longest, the other gal lets me take the first parts and she takes the second. Since we're small and very informal, we don't do seat assignments and we just work it out as a section who plays what part. She's a better player and I've offered her the first part but she is very happy to play the second. I usually just use the piccolo on a few songs, mostly when we do our July 4th parade. I love the piccolo though and wish I could do that all the time but we need another flutist or two before that happens.
My favorite part to play is 4th horn (or really whatever is the lowest horn part-I would love to play 8th horn in a piece like Ein Heldenleben or Rite of Spring) because I like playing low and supporting the section
I like playing 1st and 2nd flute in orchestra but really I love playing piccolo most. So many good parts! and you can't hide as a piccolo player so it actually helped my confidence a lot.
I played 2nd flute and piccolo in my university's orchestra (when there were 3 parts we would bring in another person to play second and I would play piccolo). I loved it! Right now I'm in a community band and I mainly play piccolo (I'm only one who owns a piccolo) I love playing piccolo so it's great. Playing second flute in my university's orchestra is one of my happiest memories from those days.
I just got promoted from 3rd chair 1st violin to principal 2nd. It is had to play principal 2nd, because I used to follow the first violins in front of me, but now I have no choice but to work it all out on my own. And now sometimes I can't follow the 1sts anymore because we have different parts. I'm sure I get used to it, though!
My section ( in middle school ) is just not as motivated as me and a few others, so I'm usually in first flute, but I still love it, and watching this video increased my cool if I ever get 2nd flute ( adding to my already humble attitude ) 😂 P.S. I'm in love with your rose gold flute!
I play 2nd part and 3rd part. Because I just switched to clarinet this year, but I am a great player and I love doing solos and volunteering to play for the class when the director asks someone to play a piece for the class! I just love band so much and can't wait for chairing which should be anytime now!😝😝 hopefully I get to play 1st chair music cuz I'll practice first part at home sometimes and I played 1st trumpet last year so I'm used to playing difficult and high stuff and it comes natural and easy to me on the clarinet too! Love ur vids btw
completely agree, people who are first flutists (and are more serious about it, in my opinion) tend to worry more about getting the notes right and playing the higher notes. but second flutes have so much more intonation, tuning, and tone to worry about because of temperament. I realised this when we did Saint Saens Op 49. the third movement has a beautiful B major duet that is so exposed and the second flute is the star because it is the richness in a sea of B's. I bought a solid silver flute and i play first now. but i love playing second when i can and explaining this to the seconds.
As a clarinetist, I like being on 2nd. My band director usually does songs that have 3 separate parts like how u said, but to a lot of people it’s still seen as 3rd is the worst and 1st is the best. The second parts always have really pretty melodies, but not annoying like the first clarinet. We are playing the original “Chorale and Shaker Dance” and there’s a 2nd clarinet sólo that I’m aiming for 😊Anyone reading this should look up this song, it’s really cool.
I've been 2nd flute with the Civic Symphony Orchestra of Boston csob.org. I can agree with you for sure about the position. You do have the best seat in the house. I find myself closing my eyes and listening all the time while counting rests. I do enjoy the repertoire a lot of the time. There are many times where I have to anticipate whether the principle flutist is going to make their entrance and cover for him if he doesn't. There are done symphonies where he is just non stop playing and he might run out of steam with concentration. So it's my job to stand by and make the entrance. I still would prefer 1st over 2nd.
For chair, it doesn't matter. I've been in every chair/position in the sections I was in for various ensembles. (Flute, saxophone, euphonium, tuba, percussion) But my favorite parts are the euphonium parts. We get everything from the melody, counter-melody, harmony and bass-lines.
I love playing third trumpet! First has some cool parts, second trumpet is there to support the first, but third trumpet is always doing its own thing.
+JustAnotherFlutist I should clarify that what I said applies to an orchestral setting. In bands third trumpet just had more harmonies. Saint-Saëns' Organ Symphony is a good example. IMSLP the trumpet parts and compare them while listening to the last movement. Sorry for the long reply. XD
I also love being second flutist! I love the lower register of the flute and I love playing harmony! Plus, I don't really like being the "Centre of Attention" and so I don't have the pressure of solos!! YAYY!!!
Also, I LOVE chamber, it's so fun. I have a Gemienhardt 2sp, my other friend has a silver plated student flute as well, then the 2 other flutes have silver, intermediate flutes. (2nd and 4th chair) And I'm 1st chair and piccolo, and I have been playing with/ next to the 2nd chair since last year (I was 3rd, she was 4th) and we can even tune 2 piccolos together, it's MAGICAL how in tune we are with each other XD
JustAnotherFlutist Well we never use 2 piccolos, but my band is going to Disney, and they're doing a parade, I'm not going tho, I don't have $1000 around my house lmao. But I was playing the parade tune with her (God Bless America) and we were tune, idek how. She is the only one in our section going, but a guy in our band plays... everything... and will be marching piccolo. Let's hope they're in tune haha
Can you make a video of you playing your rose gold flute and your silver flute? like a VS video like your Jupiter vs yamaha? idk I think it would be fun! love your videos!
So I play flute as well and it really depends on the setting I'm for what part I like to play. When I am at my home school I loveeeee sitting first chair b/c I get all the solo parts and most picc parts so I really just get to have a ball with all my pride and glory. But then when I got to honor bands I kinda of actually like sitting near the end of the first flutes b/c I get to see other flutes show off and I get to take a break b/c no one is watching me as hard. Don't get me wrong tho, I have been first in an honor band before and it was hella fun but by sitting in a slightly lower chair there's not as much stress to be perfect and you get to enjoy yourself more
So I have a question.. What advice would you give to someone who's given the opportunity to play in a concerto with a major concerto? I just found out that I'm going to play second flute for the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2 with Christopher O'Riley. I used to hate playing second flute but now that I'm older I find that second flute helps me become a better pic player and a better soloist.:)
+Kiara Eijo Best piece of advice: Watch the conductor like a hawk. The conductor will always be looking and following the soloist and may not always cue your part in. If the conductor goes faster, go with him, if he goes slower, just go with it. You can do it! :D Also, I think that as we get older, we start to see that it's not actually a competition which chair we're placed in. Each chair plays a unique role, and over time, we learn to appreciate the intricacies of those roles! :)
So, I play in a wind band and I play (I'm in the "small" band and the "big" band as they call it, basically small is the nickname for the teens and kids and bis is for the adults and older teens odr teens who play at a high enough level) in the small band, if there are different parts, the first part, because i play the 2nd longest and the eldest doesn't want to play first. In the big band things are a little more complicated. We are 5 flutists, the first flutist plays always the first part, the second one plays first and sometimes piccolo, the third plays second and first, like fifty/ fifty the fourth one and me, we play always 2nd part. Sometimes they give us 1st, but that is so rare. I personally don't reallt want to play first in the big band, just because I don't want to take someone else's part. I think that they could be annoyed, I'm the youngest in the big band (15) so I'm OK with 2nd part. But still I want to show the others how well I play and that I'm not the noob... So I try my best everytime I play. This thought made me to practice more and I really got better. So yeah, that's my story😂 I know it's too long again...
Omgggg I totally get this. So I started hs, and I was being such a try hard in band. I was first chair (I was so happy), and in marching band I was second chair to my section leader, and I js grew to have this idea that first flute was the best especially bc in middle school second flute was the harmony and didn’t get the perks first flute did. And then he put me from the concert band to wind ensemble and that’s when this changed because I was exposed to new musicians who were at a much higher level than me (only 2 out of 4 flutists were better than me though lol) and it opened my eyes and I was put on second flute for the first time in awhile since I started. And it made me realize that the level I was playing at, second flute wasn’t where the bad players were and the conductor put strong players on second too. And I got to experience the cool harmonies I got to make the with first flute and the parts that I’d play without them and hear them in the middle of the whole band. It was such an experience and opened my eyes up but then my conductor put me on piccolo so no I’m only a piccolo player and first flute, but man did my opinions change the first day in wind ensemble.
I loved playing principal in youth orchestra, but for wind ensembles, I prefer second flute/piccolo. I totally get the whole gold thing too. I've played on good flutes and they just play so easily for me. The only reason why I was unsure about trying to get one was because I loved having power and edge to my tone. So that's why I got a gold riser on my head joint. It's still powerful but it blows freely.
+Ger Vang Cool! It's so great that you figured out exactly what you like in your tone before deciding what to get! :D I agree on the feeling of a gold riser in a silver headjoint--power but free-blowing!
im 1st flutist but im in 6th grade and the only flutist, but i like playing with the band but i like small solos like every other beat for 2 mesures and stuff like that
I play the cello and one day the person who usually sits on the 2nd chair did not come so the conductor asked me to sit there just for this one rehearsal. It was an amazing experience, because you hear and feel this cello sound in your back and you can hear everything the violins and violas play because you sit in a half circle with them and you're also quite in the middle. The conductor stands just one step away from you, you can see every facial expression and sometimes he whispers something to us. :) The only disadvantage is that you really have to play almost perfectly because he can hear everything and also if you just pretend to be playing. (sometimes I do that because it's so damn difficult) but unfortunately this was only one rehearsal. I usually sit in the third row, so that I still have cello sound behind me and can see the conductor well. :) Are there any other cellos here? Where do you like to sit?
I feel I FEEL I HATE PLAYING FIRST FLUTE AND PLAYING SOLOS AND PLAYING REALLY FAST BUT WHEN YOU BECOME A FLUTIST THESE ARE ALL THE THING YOUR REQUIRED TO DO!!!!
I'm a usually play second and third parts because I play in a band that pretty much everyone is a year older than me. I kind of like it sometimes when my band director messes up with distributing the parts because that means that pretty much my intre part is a solo. And I agree- resting is really fun when all of the other instruments have a cool part.
I play the oboe in two youth orchestras and a symphony, and I prefer first but second isn't all that bad. Being first and having all those lyrical and technical passages can be very rewarding, but underwhelming. If you want to get better especially as a kid, I think its good to be second as it gives you a very good motivation. Also, if you are first from a slacking perspective, you have to put more time in. Being second can mean you barely don't need to practice at all, and you can learn something else. But, the second oboist always gets an accompaniment. So I think first is best, but second can help you be a better player and can allow you to play something else and not get wrapped up in practicing TOO much as first may have to do.
Omg it's so weird that I feel we are so similar! I am the second flutist in band and just yesturday we sight read a piece called Blue Shades and i had solos and i kinda like being 2nd chair lol
I love sitting 1st chair! I have been first chair since 6th grade (I am in 8th grade now). In 7th grade, we auditioned for our first honor band. I didn't really know what was to happen but I got 1-2. This year, I ended up getting 1-1!!!! I was so happy! Now I'm going to All State! So summarizing this paragraph up, I love sitting 1st chair because I feel like you can see the whole audience and the conductor very well.
+Flute Addict Ohhhh, interesting reason for loving the 1st chair! I never thought of that because I personally don't enjoy sitting in that chair, but good point! You really _can_ see the audience and conductor from that chair! :D
In VAMSO right now... Definitely a challenge haha my favourite position is actually 1st assist just cuz it doesn't carry the same pressure as the real 1st haha
I play first flute, and I love but, I thinks that is more challenging to play as second, because is very very difficult to try to find the correct tune especially when you play thirds and fifths, is easier to be always playing the principal voice.
+Pablo Vergara Hehe! It _is_ more difficult to tune when you're the 2nd flutist, and that's precisely one of the challenges I love! I understand that not everyone likes it, but that's why we need people in all the chairs! Just hold on to your tone/tuning, and you'll make it easier for 2nd/3rd flutists to tune to you! :D
I loveeee playing second flute during concert season b/c I love not being the center of attention, but weirdly enough, I love playing piccolo during marching season O_o
+Sapphire Kawashima Haha, I share your sentiment! I think playing piccolo offers a different challenge altogether. Humans are not one-dimensional--we're all interested in a variety of different things at the same time! So it's not a surprise that we would love playing 2nd flute, but always thoroughly enjoy playing piccolo! I think you love the unique challenges that both positions pose!
At first, I hated second flute (mostly because all through high school, I was first chair. Once college hit, I was second chair). Once I got used to it, I fell in love with it
I'm glad to hear someone else say that they like listening to people play when they have rests. I feel like a lot of other violinists are just sort of... waiting to play rather than sitting back and enjoying everyone else's part. Then again I don't like a lot of other violinists, I prefer violas, cello/bass, and, well, flutes (and oboes), as far as people go. Basically everyone but my section.
I am a 1st flute but I think the 2nd flute part is a lot harder than the 1st flute, I am in a flute Choir there’s flute 1,2,3,4,alto and bass, and flute2,3 and 4 are a lot harder involving having to double tongue and other things 😔
My band (the other musicians, the conductor, etc) has a huge huge emphasis on first part > all other parts, which kinda sucks because of the pressure that it puts on you to always be the best, and because those who happen to be in the first chairs are so, so annoying about it. My band also has way too many flutes, so there's often not enough space when we perform somewhere outside of school, and on one such occasion one of the first flutes had all other 19 of us move because "there was no way" she was sitting in the second row.
Another problem is that in the music that we play, only the first flute parts are interesting and challenging (probably a consequence of being a high school band at a public school, not professional) so the second parts are really just boring and easy - which reinforces the first > second prejudice.
I’m just like her I love being second flute but when it comes to trumpet I loooooove first trumpet because I love playing High notes that my head section leader didn’t know I could play and I looove playing very complex rhythms because fast music is something that I like playing on trumpet. But when it comes to flute I love dark and haunting sounds which something that not that many people think when they think of a flute. If i owned a bass flute and a baroque flute and a regular c flute I would not want anything else in the world, probably a piccolo and a piccolo trumpet but if I had those instruments I wouldn’t want anything else.
My name is Tony from Coral Gables, Florida and never experienced the flute and I will like to learn to plays the flute beginners student and understanding the notes sheets and will buys a flute so I can practice and learning. I’m hard of hearing using a pair of hearing aids with booster so can hear the music Joanne. I love and likes Seattle. Been there about 30+ times Joanna
I'm mixed on this topic. I taught myself the piano by ear at a young age. I picked up the flute like it was nothing (my father is a professional bassist). I would decide whether I wanted to try for 1st or 2nd depending on the music presented. #lazyass! If I totally loved the piece, I made it mine if I could. If it didn't tickle my fancy, I'd slide on back and bow graciously to whomever wanted that bad boy! I loved 2nd chair. It meant I was further away from falling off the stage due to vertigo! lol!
My freshman year, I actually sat second flute. I was a little disappointed because I was about the only one who could actually play it (I mean they're all simple notes, not really anything above what you learned in 7th grade, how was I the only one who could actually play that stuff?) and had to carry everyone else. Now I wouldn't mind sitting second. Maybe because I still am the only one capable of hitting all octaves well enough for the second part to be heard. May also be because my band director would never let his favorites sit second either. I've worked hard to earn my 3rd chair in the first row for the past three years. I guess sometimes I wish my band director would stop focusing on his favorites to realize I have a lot of talent and potential too. Especially for the piccolo part since I usually am the one carrying my competition when she messes up and quits playing. Did it last year too. And yet she was still picked even after proving she wasn't the best match for the part. Favoritism, everybody. I mean, I admit she's a fantastic player. But only on the flute. She knows that instrument best. She's always flat, never warms her wooden piccolo up properly, and then proceeds to play airily, barely getting anything out of the thing. And then our director usually looks at me since his favorite is obviously never wrong. This has become quite the rant. I apologize.
+kagome123451 Hey, it's alright--sounds like you needed to vent. Favoritism sucks, I totally agree. It doesn't seem worth it to talk with your band director/section about this. Is it possible for you to find an extra-curricular youth symphony or wind ensemble? Perhaps you can find another group on the side with more supportive flutists and conductors. If you can't, you can suck it up for the rest of high school, then audition into a wind ensemble at a college. The idea is to someday, somehow, find your way into a different group, so that this experience isn't your lasting impression of playing in a group. :) I believe in you! You will prevail!
JustAnotherFlutist Thanks you. It's been a long 4 years, so it's just kind of built up. I'm not sure if there's any groups around that I could join, At this point in the year, it seems almost pointless. A high school senior can only fit in to so many places, y'know? It also depends on which college I go to as well. A lot of places don't have exactly what I'm looking for, so all I can really do is choose between my dreams and my hobby. It's a tough decision.
We get tested every once in awhile to see what chair we are. I was first in the beginning ( and very proud) then kicked down to 3rd, and now im 6th.( This is out of about 13 flutes, which isnt THAT bad but still disappointing) I really liked being 3rd & 1st the best. I really need to try harder to get back where I was >.
+Chrystall WentzUrieAllen While I support you working harder, don't overlook what you can learn in your current chair too! Maybe you can learn to blend, to listen around you more, and to watch your peers and learn from how they approach embouchure, posture, hand positions, etc! :)
Because I am totally deaf, and I use cochlear implants to hear, it is easier for me to sit on the far end of the orchestra, that way I hear everything in my left ear (which is what I've been listening with my entire life). I just recently got a cochlear implant for my right ear, so I'm still teaching myself to listen with it, and it's a lot of fun having stereo sound in the middle of an orchestra, which makes second flute also my preferred location!😄
+Carter Terrano Oh my gosh, that is so cool!!! You are awesome!! It must be SO lovely to hear the surround sound!! Enjoy it to the fullest, it's MAGICAL in the 2nd flute chair!!
I love being principal flute in orchestra. I generally either play principal or piccolo, I've never been on to enjoy playing second. Funnily enough I don't really like playing solo either, I would much rather play chamber music or in orchestra.
+JustAnotherFlutist my goal is to play in a WWQ! I am studying at very small small small school at the moment so we don't have the instruments to put together a WWQ. But I am hopefully moving to the US in 2017 to do post grad study :)
I am currently a 1st trumpeter (or should I say 2nd too because I play both 1st and 2nd at the same time?) in my section but honestly, I do not like being 1st sometimes. I feel pressure when I am told to go first by my conductor and seniors who went like "Go upgrade yourself to 1st. We need support inside." Definitely, I have no choice but to move on to 1st. Sighs, so much misses being 2nd but glad I am first now because I am able to learn and advance myself, you know... >
+Crystal Ong Ohhhh, I feel you! When I was appointed first chair during my master's degree, I was so nervous! But I think you have an advantage right now: you know what it's like to be 2nd and what you like in a 1st trumpeter. Be that 1st trumpeter that you wanted when you were in 2nd chair! That way, you can give back to the other 2nd chairs :)
+JustAnotherFlutist that advantage is super true >< I really love playing 1st because of its melody. I will continue to work hard as 1st trumpeter before I step down from my band in months time. ^^ Thank you so much!
1st chair flute. Last year I was his favorite next to an 8th grader (I was a 6th grader) so by age I was 2nd. But this year, by talent I compete with another girl, but because Im his favorite, I'm first chair.
+Nikki Ta Awesome! I'll just leave a gentle reminder here to take care of your section and always be kind and considerate to all the musicians around you. :) Being the teacher's favourite has its perks, but make sure you use those perks for good, and for the benefit of the flutists who have been placed under you. :)
I've been playing flute for two years now, but I'm more interested in piccolo. I know I need to play flute for a long time before I start piccolo, but I would like to know just HOW LONG that is.
Did u start playing picc yet? I started playing picc about 4 years into flute. I started flute in 4th grade, and I got into picc around 8th. Trust me, waiting is worth it
Building your fundamentals on flute will help a lot. When I started picc, I could play up to a high Ab/A. My chromatic was pretty good at about 130-140 bpm. Tuning on flute vs tuning on piccolo are two different worlds. Hell, tuning on piccolo vs tuning just about any other band instrument are two different dimensions XD. Also, I would start around the time your band director would ask if anyone would like to play the piccolo part. The piccolo part stands out a lot more and most people consider it a lot harder. When u start, good luck with it!
+Uppish (John F) No, I haven't started yet. I can't afford my own piccolo, and my school doesn't have one, either. My band director doesn't even ask us to tune, let alone play two instruments. I'm the only one in the band that tunes, so it's pointless. I'll get a piccolo some day.
In my band, I'm first chair because I had a private lesson with the teacher and he realised how far I had practiced ahead so he made me first chair because I had practiced ahead and was really good.
I wish I was first flute, but I'm okay with being second. I kinda sit away from the flutes anyway and I'm closer to the oboe player, so we just call ourselves the floboe section.
+Josh Pearce Hehe, the floboe section! Oboists are awesome!
I play flute and oboe so I am a floboe lol
+Josh Pearce We call ourselves the floboe section too!
Lol I just got an oboe part playing flute!
Floboe, hehe
I play the second chair in a professional orchestra, and it is a doubling job. Playing the piccolo can be fun, but hurtful in practice sometimes. Some people think that the principal is the best flutist, that is not always the case. Each part plays a different role in the orchestra. Each flutist have a personality, some match others dont. I personally prefer playing principal in which goes forward my personality and sound, and I really miss it. If you play with a principal who has a small sound, more conservative, you will be in constant check. In other hand, it helps in gaining in flexibility. Great topic choice. Regards from Brazil!
Second flute is great. We're the ones that make the music that truly stands out during a performance. The audience remembers the flute section thanks to the second flute part that creates such beautiful harmony. We bring the flute section to life and to levels higher than it could attain on its own. We can't rest on our laurels or hide behind other well placed flutists. A well played second flute part is no less important than a well played first flute part. Get out there now and practice and be proud! ( I do think a revision to second flute terminology is needed and re-education of the profession as well.)
I like rotating the chair placement! I also love performing solo repertoire! BUT if I had to pick one placement, I would definitely agree that sitting in second chair just gives you the pleasure of sitting back and enjoying the music being played live around you. I also feel like it trains you to learn how to blend with other musicians, and when you're making embouchure changes or working on tone development, playing second flute gives you opportunities to try out the changes without being as nervous as you would be if you were principal. Especially for a younger musician like me who's constantly trying to advance my tone [(-_-')] , playing second flute definitely gives me opportunities for growth no matter how simple my part is. GO 2ND FLUTES!
+Arin Abramovich Sarkissian Isn't it great? I did a lot of tone and technique experimentation while I was in the 2nd chair too... and a lot of staring at how my friends approached the flute, hahaha! I learned so much just by having time to watch them! :D
JustAnotherFlutist I am in a band and play and I belive (and hope) that i get 2nd or 3rd chair
I play third/picc and love, love, love it! Wouldn't do anything else. Being a mom of 3 and a wife AND having a part time job means not much time, so not being scored on every piece or playing every concert works well. Also, I am relatively new to playing the flute (will be 5 years in spring. started from scratch), this is my first year in orchestra. I didn't know much about orchestral playing. Didn't even play picc until AFTER the audition (don't recommend it, by the way. Love it, but it is a lot of slow work. OMG, intonation is something else) I didn't realize how soloistic piccolo parts can be. It can only be described as long periods of (boring) rest counting with terrible entrances on 16 second solos. I only had once concert where picc played pretty much everything. That one could be entitled 'How many pieces with picc solos can you program, before you call it a solo picc recital' :) In any case, it's a lot of fun.
+OBunger LOL!!! I know the feel! I was placed on piccolo for the entirety of my 2nd year in university. I should talk about that sometime in a future video. It definitely pushed me to be more confident when I come in to play a solo! So glad you're having fun with this, keep on keeping on! :D
+JustAnotherFlutist Can't wait to hear about that :)
Long periods of rests.....oh god. Rhapsody in Blue...486 measures of silence....oh my god.
I still love picc though XD
+Uppish (John F) scratch that, meant 482 measures.
28 measures of playing after that was just a nightmare. But I had a seat right next to the pianist. Best seat in the house on the night of the concert. Our school rented an $80,000 piano XD
Haha, and you have to count every single one of them. See, math can be useful.
I love being principal more than second honestly, I feel like the more solos the scarier it is and it's like negative reinforcement. But at the same time I also love piccolo, and in flute choir I love alto flute. I love intonation and the challenge of pitch control. But in college I really love watching my flute friends faces light up when they solo so we swap chairs! It's so fun
Sitting in the middle is glorious by the way. Some of the pieces this year that we've played have gave me chills on the stage. It's so amazing.
+radiantxdreamer Ahhhhh, yessss, so true!!!
I personally like being second flutist because I get to harmonize with the main part and I don't have the pressure of solos. :)
Exactly! I agree.
2nd flute gets cool harmonies, but 1st flute gets better parts sometimes. For example: Strange Humors by John Mackey. I played it in All county last year, my part was boring AF xD but in concert band, there were 4 flutes, and 4 flute parts, I played 3rd, and the harmonies were just heaven
+Catie Monroe? Hahaha, it really does depend on the piece! Sometimes composers don't know how to write for flutes, so you get dumb parts no matter what chair you play, or the first flutist is overworked, while the 2nd and 3rd flutists are just sitting twiddling their thumbs, hahahaha!
JustAnotherFlutist It's true! They 1st flutes had a really pretty part, while we just sat there like "12- 2-3-4- 13-2-3-4"
LOVE playing second flute! Never thought I'd get to play in an orchestra after college so when an opportunity for 2nd flute (sometimes picc) happened, I jumped at it. And SO happy I did!!!
+artbylisa That is awesome!!! So happy for you! :D
In choir, I like being 2nd Soprano or Alto because I like just hearing the Soprano 1's sing super high and I like singing harmony as opposed to the basic melody.
I love being first bassoon for the same reason you love being second flute a supportive role but gets the opportunity to solo on occasion
This video made me enjoy sitting in second so much more and cherish how much being second flute teaches you about the flute and the orchestra! Thank you!
Hi Joanna! I turned pro at 14 playing the trumpet but I always preferred 2nd Chair over 1st Chair.(as long as I was 1st Chair, 2nd..the trumpet player in me 😎). In band the 2nd chair plays the main melody in most pieces and that's what people come to hear and that's what you remember through the years. The soloist was the person who sounds the best on a particular song/performance and venue. I earned solo parts while playing 3rd Chair. Coming from South Florida the competition was always extreme! You really were fortunate to play any part to get on stage. I really like your videos especially when you teach your Mother..Awesome!
Anthony
I just spent the last Boston Symphony concert watching Elizabeth Ostling. It was interesting to have a different point of reference and to listen to the performance through her ears.
I am with you here. Love playing (and singing) harmony or counterpoint!
I'm a college saxophonist and I love playing harmonies. Harmonies bring out the melody and make the band sound louder. I love sitting behind the brass. (The saxophones are usually between the woodwinds and the brass in a symphonic band/wind ensemble.) It also gives you clear view of the conductor. Plus, playing harmony is just plain fun!
+Elizabeth Liu Yes!!!! I love playing harmony too! I love that feeling when you hit a harmony note with other instruments, and it just gives you goosebumps!! Ahhhh 😍
i am a violinist, and although i do like playing solo, i love to play towards the back of the first violin section (which i mainly do now) or playing principal/co-principal second violin, as i do in my youth orchestra. However, in string quartets and quintets i love to play the second violin part, as i love to blend, because in order to create the right blend, many composers made the second violin and viola play very interesting parts. second violin in a quartet is very similar in role to second flute, as you are sat in the center of all the wonderful parts being played around you, and you can get solos very often, as many composers would pass around solos between the two violins.
I'm an oboist( and english horn) and frankly I like each seat. I find that there are positives and negatives to each position. I've played mostly second and english horn, but I've had my time in the principal seat as well. There was one occasion that I was happy I was playing second. It was during a summer concert with a community chamber orchestra. The guy who played first had studied under the same teacher I had been studying with and still occasionally take lessons from. One of the pieces was Handel's Queen of Sheba. Basically a double oboe concerto with the oboes not only filling the solo spot but also the tutti. It was a tough piece. Our parts were very similar and I was glad to be second.
+Crystal Garrard It is SO awesome to play with flutists who study under the same teacher as you! I think what intrigued me the most was seeing how they applied the same concepts that I learned. It's surprising how differently other students will interpret the same concept! It really opens your eyes. :)
I love being 2nd Horn. I get every fun parts. I don't like solos as much, but I also love the low register. It's beautiful and amazing parts. Trombone, tenor sax, alto sax, sometimes clarinet parts. It's a perfect blend
I completely agree! I was 2nd flute in my arts high school orchestra and absolutely loved it. Wouldn't want it any other way.
Yes trying my teacher's gold flute was awesome as well. That was almost 20 years ago.
I remember in flute magazines they'd always do articles on the principle flutist of an orchestra or even the third flute/piccolo, but never 2nd flutists. I always thought they should have. My private teacher had to play 4th flute, 2nd piccolo and Alto flute in The Planets. Personally I thought that would have made a great article
So weird you decided on this topic, I have a chair test this coming week! I'm actually shooting for second chair in Wind Ensemble! I am currently 4th and I actually really like that chair because I sit in the second row and the first row scares me lol. I was first chair in concert band last year and I didn't like it that much. Too much pressure to play perfect all of the time. I really want second or keep my fourth chair. Chairs don't really matter to me to be honest, I just like being in band in general no matter what chair I am.
+radiantxdreamer That's the spirit! I love your attitude and wish that more people can think like you!
I am a 1st flutist, but I was a second flutist in honor band, in our flute section, there were five of us, the top 2 flutes in both the 3rd and 4th period classes joined together and became the 1st flutists.
I'm currently seated first chair,first flute.My band only has one piccolo so I pick up the solo parts if she does not. I find it to be very intimidating and refreshing at the same time because I finally get to help my section.But I am new to my band and on my first try I got first flute and first chair while there are and seniors who are second flutes and below me (I am a sophomore) I plan to join an orchestra soon.Lets see how that goes.
I'm a first chair flute player in the ensemble I'm in now, (which I love because it inspires me to do better in a way, considering there's a lot of pressure on me at times) but next year when I get into the highest ensemble (which I auditioned for and got 2nd chair) I'll have a second part and I'll have to play that too. But I'm okay with playing second part as well. Like you said about 2nd having completely different parts, that scares me a whole lot, especially considering that I've never been in this ensemble before.
I agree that second flute is equally important and enjoyable in more intense orchestral rep, but there's that awkward late high school/youth orchestra period where it just double flute 1 down the octave/a third and rests a lot.
Courtney Conkling Like Beethoven Symphony 6 2nd flute part
3rd trombone, waddup! Also Percussion, but there really is no seating arrangement for that.
Just found this channel literally like 20 minutes ago LOL I'm shopping for a new piccolo to play in band and some how your Jupiter/Yahama flute video from 2011 popped up.
I play in a small community band, there are only two flute players. Since I've been in the band the longest, the other gal lets me take the first parts and she takes the second. Since we're small and very informal, we don't do seat assignments and we just work it out as a section who plays what part. She's a better player and I've offered her the first part but she is very happy to play the second. I usually just use the piccolo on a few songs, mostly when we do our July 4th parade. I love the piccolo though and wish I could do that all the time but we need another flutist or two before that happens.
I like 2nd or 3rd part clarinet.
I was 9th chair second clarinet in our all city band but in school band I’m always playing 1st clarinet
My favorite part to play is 4th horn (or really whatever is the lowest horn part-I would love to play 8th horn in a piece like Ein Heldenleben or Rite of Spring) because I like playing low and supporting the section
I like playing 1st and 2nd flute in orchestra but really I love playing piccolo most. So many good parts! and you can't hide as a piccolo player so it actually helped my confidence a lot.
I played 2nd flute and piccolo in my university's orchestra (when there were 3 parts we would bring in another person to play second and I would play piccolo). I loved it! Right now I'm in a community band and I mainly play piccolo (I'm only one who owns a piccolo) I love playing piccolo so it's great. Playing second flute in my university's orchestra is one of my happiest memories from those days.
I just got promoted from 3rd chair 1st violin to principal 2nd. It is had to play principal 2nd, because I used to follow the first violins in front of me, but now I have no choice but to work it all out on my own. And now sometimes I can't follow the 1sts anymore because we have different parts. I'm sure I get used to it, though!
My section ( in middle school ) is just not as motivated as me and a few others, so I'm usually in first flute, but I still love it, and watching this video increased my cool if I ever get 2nd flute ( adding to my already humble attitude ) 😂 P.S. I'm in love with your rose gold flute!
There are two flute parts in our band, 1st and 2nd. I'm first chair 2nd part.
I play 2nd part and 3rd part. Because I just switched to clarinet this year, but I am a great player and I love doing solos and volunteering to play for the class when the director asks someone to play a piece for the class! I just love band so much and can't wait for chairing which should be anytime now!😝😝 hopefully I get to play 1st chair music cuz I'll practice first part at home sometimes and I played 1st trumpet last year so I'm used to playing difficult and high stuff and it comes natural and easy to me on the clarinet too! Love ur vids btw
+Ryan Kuchek Haha, that's awesome! Sounds like you thrive in the spotlight! You do you and don't forget to have fun! ;)
completely agree, people who are first flutists (and are more serious about it, in my opinion) tend to worry more about getting the notes right and playing the higher notes. but second flutes have so much more intonation, tuning, and tone to worry about because of temperament. I realised this when we did Saint Saens Op 49. the third movement has a beautiful B major duet that is so exposed and the second flute is the star because it is the richness in a sea of B's.
I bought a solid silver flute and i play first now. but i love playing second when i can and explaining this to the seconds.
I love playing the piccolo and I will continue to do it through my high school years. I would never change that!
As a clarinetist, I like being on 2nd. My band director usually does songs that have 3 separate parts like how u said, but to a lot of people it’s still seen as 3rd is the worst and 1st is the best. The second parts always have really pretty melodies, but not annoying like the first clarinet.
We are playing the original “Chorale and Shaker Dance” and there’s a 2nd clarinet sólo that I’m aiming for 😊Anyone reading this should look up this song, it’s really cool.
I've been 2nd flute with the Civic Symphony Orchestra of Boston csob.org. I can agree with you for sure about the position. You do have the best seat in the house. I find myself closing my eyes and listening all the time while counting rests. I do enjoy the repertoire a lot of the time. There are many times where I have to anticipate whether the principle flutist is going to make their entrance and cover for him if he doesn't. There are done symphonies where he is just non stop playing and he might run out of steam with concentration. So it's my job to stand by and make the entrance.
I still would prefer 1st over 2nd.
For chair, it doesn't matter. I've been in every chair/position in the sections I was in for various ensembles. (Flute, saxophone, euphonium, tuba, percussion) But my favorite parts are the euphonium parts. We get everything from the melody, counter-melody, harmony and bass-lines.
+Sadimal Ohhhh, I love the euphonium sound! So mellow and wonderful
I love playing third trumpet! First has some cool parts, second trumpet is there to support the first, but third trumpet is always doing its own thing.
+Nathan Riley Haha, that's so cool! I actually didn't know that, since the flutists sit way too far in the front, haha! :D
+JustAnotherFlutist
I should clarify that what I said applies to an orchestral setting. In bands third trumpet just had more harmonies. Saint-Saëns' Organ Symphony is a good example. IMSLP the trumpet parts and compare them while listening to the last movement.
Sorry for the long reply. XD
I also love being second flutist! I love the lower register of the flute and I love playing harmony! Plus, I don't really like being the "Centre of Attention" and so I don't have the pressure of solos!! YAYY!!!
I play second part in orcheatra and I like it! The principal player always takes all the flute music!!!
Also, I LOVE chamber, it's so fun. I have a Gemienhardt 2sp, my other friend has a silver plated student flute as well, then the 2 other flutes have silver, intermediate flutes. (2nd and 4th chair) And I'm 1st chair and piccolo, and I have been playing with/ next to the 2nd chair since last year (I was 3rd, she was 4th) and we can even tune 2 piccolos together, it's MAGICAL how in tune we are with each other XD
+Catie Monroe? OHHHH, beautiful piccolo tuning really is magical when it is achieved!!! Go you! Your section sounds absolutely lovely! :D
JustAnotherFlutist Well we never use 2 piccolos, but my band is going to Disney, and they're doing a parade, I'm not going tho, I don't have $1000 around my house lmao. But I was playing the parade tune with her (God Bless America) and we were tune, idek how. She is the only one in our section going, but a guy in our band plays... everything... and will be marching piccolo. Let's hope they're in tune haha
Can you make a video of you playing your rose gold flute and your silver flute? like a VS video like your Jupiter vs yamaha? idk I think it would be fun! love your videos!
+chickabowbow90 Haha! I played this flute 2 videos ago, and you can see it featured in all my videos on my "JustAnotherFlautist" channel ;) Enjoy!
So I play flute as well and it really depends on the setting I'm for what part I like to play. When I am at my home school I loveeeee sitting first chair b/c I get all the solo parts and most picc parts so I really just get to have a ball with all my pride and glory. But then when I got to honor bands I kinda of actually like sitting near the end of the first flutes b/c I get to see other flutes show off and I get to take a break b/c no one is watching me as hard. Don't get me wrong tho, I have been first in an honor band before and it was hella fun but by sitting in a slightly lower chair there's not as much stress to be perfect and you get to enjoy yourself more
I play in concert band and jazz orchestra and 2nd alto sax is my bae!
So I have a question.. What advice would you give to someone who's given the opportunity to play in a concerto with a major concerto? I just found out that I'm going to play second flute for the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No.2 with Christopher O'Riley. I used to hate playing second flute but now that I'm older I find that second flute helps me become a better pic player and a better soloist.:)
+Kiara Eijo Best piece of advice: Watch the conductor like a hawk. The conductor will always be looking and following the soloist and may not always cue your part in. If the conductor goes faster, go with him, if he goes slower, just go with it. You can do it! :D
Also, I think that as we get older, we start to see that it's not actually a competition which chair we're placed in. Each chair plays a unique role, and over time, we learn to appreciate the intricacies of those roles! :)
+JustAnotherFlutist I agree and I also believe that playing a lot of second flute and piccolo has made me a stronger flutist. :)
"Rock-maninoff" killed me omg
So, I play in a wind band and I play (I'm in the "small" band and the "big" band as they call it, basically small is the nickname for the teens and kids and bis is for the adults and older teens odr teens who play at a high enough level) in the small band, if there are different parts, the first part, because i play the 2nd longest and the eldest doesn't want to play first. In the big band things are a little more complicated. We are 5 flutists, the first flutist plays always the first part, the second one plays first and sometimes piccolo, the third plays second and first, like fifty/ fifty the fourth one and me, we play always 2nd part. Sometimes they give us 1st, but that is so rare. I personally don't reallt want to play first in the big band, just because I don't want to take someone else's part. I think that they could be annoyed, I'm the youngest in the big band (15) so I'm OK with 2nd part. But still I want to show the others how well I play and that I'm not the noob... So I try my best everytime I play. This thought made me to practice more and I really got better. So yeah, that's my story😂 I know it's too long again...
I like being 1st chair double bass because I often time get to play the ~melody~ of bass parts...
Omgggg I totally get this. So I started hs, and I was being such a try hard in band. I was first chair (I was so happy), and in marching band I was second chair to my section leader, and I js grew to have this idea that first flute was the best especially bc in middle school second flute was the harmony and didn’t get the perks first flute did. And then he put me from the concert band to wind ensemble and that’s when this changed because I was exposed to new musicians who were at a much higher level than me (only 2 out of 4 flutists were better than me though lol) and it opened my eyes and I was put on second flute for the first time in awhile since I started. And it made me realize that the level I was playing at, second flute wasn’t where the bad players were and the conductor put strong players on second too. And I got to experience the cool harmonies I got to make the with first flute and the parts that I’d play without them and hear them in the middle of the whole band. It was such an experience and opened my eyes up but then my conductor put me on piccolo so no I’m only a piccolo player and first flute, but man did my opinions change the first day in wind ensemble.
I loved playing principal in youth orchestra, but for wind ensembles, I prefer second flute/piccolo.
I totally get the whole gold thing too. I've played on good flutes and they just play so easily for me. The only reason why I was unsure about trying to get one was because I loved having power and edge to my tone. So that's why I got a gold riser on my head joint. It's still powerful but it blows freely.
+Ger Vang Cool! It's so great that you figured out exactly what you like in your tone before deciding what to get! :D I agree on the feeling of a gold riser in a silver headjoint--power but free-blowing!
I'm a 1st doubling on piccolo. (second seat) the section leader and I tend to share the piccolo parts.
+Jason Rosenblum Awesome! That certainly lightens the load! :)
im 1st flutist but im in 6th grade and the only flutist, but i like playing with the band but i like small solos like every other beat for 2 mesures and stuff like that
I play the cello and one day the person who usually sits on the 2nd chair did not come so the conductor asked me to sit there just for this one rehearsal. It was an amazing experience, because you hear and feel this cello sound in your back and you can hear everything the violins and violas play because you sit in a half circle with them and you're also quite in the middle. The conductor stands just one step away from you, you can see every facial expression and sometimes he whispers something to us. :) The only disadvantage is that you really have to play almost perfectly because he can hear everything and also if you just pretend to be playing. (sometimes I do that because it's so damn difficult)
but unfortunately this was only one rehearsal. I usually sit in the third row, so that I still have cello sound behind me and can see the conductor well. :) Are there any other cellos here? Where do you like to sit?
I feel I FEEL
I HATE PLAYING FIRST FLUTE AND PLAYING SOLOS AND PLAYING REALLY FAST
BUT WHEN YOU BECOME A FLUTIST THESE ARE ALL THE THING YOUR REQUIRED TO DO!!!!
Yasss, i am 2nd clarinet in my school band, and the scores are completely diffrent to the 1st and 3rd scores and its so fun :)
For one year I played 3rd flute the next year I played 1st and this year I play 2nd and I love it
I'm a usually play second and third parts because I play in a band that pretty much everyone is a year older than me. I kind of like it sometimes when my band director messes up with distributing the parts because that means that pretty much my intre part is a solo. And I agree- resting is really fun when all of the other instruments have a cool part.
+Kellie M. Hahaha, it's pretty cool to play with people older than you, right? I love watching and learning from them :)
I am second flutist now because I'm a freshman.. and of course the senior has the first chair. Next year I get first chair and I am so excited!
I play the oboe in two youth orchestras and a symphony, and I prefer first but second isn't all that bad. Being first and having all those lyrical and technical passages can be very rewarding, but underwhelming. If you want to get better especially as a kid, I think its good to be second as it gives you a very good motivation. Also, if you are first from a slacking perspective, you have to put more time in. Being second can mean you barely don't need to practice at all, and you can learn something else. But, the second oboist always gets an accompaniment. So I think first is best, but second can help you be a better player and can allow you to play something else and not get wrapped up in practicing TOO much as first may have to do.
Omg it's so weird that I feel we are so similar! I am the second flutist in band and just yesturday we sight read a piece called Blue Shades and i had solos and i kinda like being 2nd chair lol
+Karen Vasquez Hehe, embrace the 2nd chair! If you like it, there's no shame about it! ;)
+JustAnotherFlutist lol update just wanted to tell you, I got first chair in band+orchestra and I'm kinda of ok with it. 😄
I love sitting 1st chair! I have been first chair since 6th grade (I am in 8th grade now). In 7th grade, we auditioned for our first honor band. I didn't really know what was to happen but I got 1-2. This year, I ended up getting 1-1!!!! I was so happy! Now I'm going to All State! So summarizing this paragraph up, I love sitting 1st chair because I feel like you can see the whole audience and the conductor very well.
+Flute Addict Ohhhh, interesting reason for loving the 1st chair! I never thought of that because I personally don't enjoy sitting in that chair, but good point! You really _can_ see the audience and conductor from that chair! :D
in my band i play oboe (only oboist) and I have to double the second flute part
I'm first flute in my schools Advanced Band and I LOVE IT
In VAMSO right now... Definitely a challenge haha my favourite position is actually 1st assist just cuz it doesn't carry the same pressure as the real 1st haha
I'm second chair but I'm fine with it because I still play first part. Our first chair gets solos though
I play first flute, and I love but, I thinks that is more challenging to play as second, because is very very difficult to try to find the correct tune especially when you play thirds and fifths, is easier to be always playing the principal voice.
+Pablo Vergara Hehe! It _is_ more difficult to tune when you're the 2nd flutist, and that's precisely one of the challenges I love! I understand that not everyone likes it, but that's why we need people in all the chairs! Just hold on to your tone/tuning, and you'll make it easier for 2nd/3rd flutists to tune to you! :D
I am first chair in my school wind ensemble. Just got done performing in moderate band. Second chair WOOHOO!!!
+FlutesForever Aw yeah, gotta love a 1st chair who fully appreciates the 2nd chairs!!! You rock! :D
I loveeee playing second flute during concert season b/c I love not being the center of attention, but weirdly enough, I love playing piccolo during marching season O_o
+Sapphire Kawashima Haha, I share your sentiment! I think playing piccolo offers a different challenge altogether. Humans are not one-dimensional--we're all interested in a variety of different things at the same time! So it's not a surprise that we would love playing 2nd flute, but always thoroughly enjoy playing piccolo! I think you love the unique challenges that both positions pose!
At first, I hated second flute (mostly because all through high school, I was first chair. Once college hit, I was second chair). Once I got used to it, I fell in love with it
I'm glad to hear someone else say that they like listening to people play when they have rests. I feel like a lot of other violinists are just sort of... waiting to play rather than sitting back and enjoying everyone else's part. Then again I don't like a lot of other violinists, I prefer violas, cello/bass, and, well, flutes (and oboes), as far as people go. Basically everyone but my section.
I am a 1st flute but I think the 2nd flute part is a lot harder than the 1st flute, I am in a flute Choir there’s flute 1,2,3,4,alto and bass, and flute2,3 and 4 are a lot harder involving having to double tongue and other things 😔
My band (the other musicians, the conductor, etc) has a huge huge emphasis on first part > all other parts, which kinda sucks because of the pressure that it puts on you to always be the best, and because those who happen to be in the first chairs are so, so annoying about it. My band also has way too many flutes, so there's often not enough space when we perform somewhere outside of school, and on one such occasion one of the first flutes had all other 19 of us move because "there was no way" she was sitting in the second row.
Another problem is that in the music that we play, only the first flute parts are interesting and challenging (probably a consequence of being a high school band at a public school, not professional) so the second parts are really just boring and easy - which reinforces the first > second prejudice.
I’m just like her I love being second flute but when it comes to trumpet I loooooove first trumpet because I love playing High notes that my head section leader didn’t know I could play and I looove playing very complex rhythms because fast music is something that I like playing on trumpet. But when it comes to flute I love dark and haunting sounds which something that not that many people think when they think of a flute. If i owned a bass flute and a baroque flute and a regular c flute I would not want anything else in the world, probably a piccolo and a piccolo trumpet but if I had those instruments I wouldn’t want anything else.
OMG! I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE TO LOVE BEING A 2ND FLAUTIST!!!!
ME, too!
My name is Tony from Coral Gables, Florida and never experienced the flute and I will like to learn to plays the flute beginners student and understanding the notes sheets and will buys a flute so I can practice and learning. I’m hard of hearing using a pair of hearing aids with booster so can hear the music Joanne. I love and likes Seattle. Been there about 30+ times Joanna
Im a first clarinetist in a festivle that happenes in March, and i am mortified
I'm mixed on this topic. I taught myself the piano by ear at a young age. I picked up the flute like it was nothing (my father is a professional bassist). I would decide whether I wanted to try for 1st or 2nd depending on the music presented. #lazyass! If I totally loved the piece, I made it mine if I could. If it didn't tickle my fancy, I'd slide on back and bow graciously to whomever wanted that bad boy! I loved 2nd chair. It meant I was further away from falling off the stage due to vertigo! lol!
I personally love playing as third/bass trombone parts as it gives me an excuse to use my bass trombone and I love playing along with the tubas
+ScarletDawn SkyClan Oh man, you love those low parts, don't you? :D Those beefy low notes always give me goosebumps!
its very similar to 1st/2nd violin.
My freshman year, I actually sat second flute. I was a little disappointed because I was about the only one who could actually play it (I mean they're all simple notes, not really anything above what you learned in 7th grade, how was I the only one who could actually play that stuff?) and had to carry everyone else.
Now I wouldn't mind sitting second. Maybe because I still am the only one capable of hitting all octaves well enough for the second part to be heard. May also be because my band director would never let his favorites sit second either.
I've worked hard to earn my 3rd chair in the first row for the past three years. I guess sometimes I wish my band director would stop focusing on his favorites to realize I have a lot of talent and potential too. Especially for the piccolo part since I usually am the one carrying my competition when she messes up and quits playing. Did it last year too. And yet she was still picked even after proving she wasn't the best match for the part.
Favoritism, everybody.
I mean, I admit she's a fantastic player. But only on the flute. She knows that instrument best. She's always flat, never warms her wooden piccolo up properly, and then proceeds to play airily, barely getting anything out of the thing. And then our director usually looks at me since his favorite is obviously never wrong.
This has become quite the rant. I apologize.
+kagome123451 Hey, it's alright--sounds like you needed to vent. Favoritism sucks, I totally agree. It doesn't seem worth it to talk with your band director/section about this. Is it possible for you to find an extra-curricular youth symphony or wind ensemble? Perhaps you can find another group on the side with more supportive flutists and conductors. If you can't, you can suck it up for the rest of high school, then audition into a wind ensemble at a college. The idea is to someday, somehow, find your way into a different group, so that this experience isn't your lasting impression of playing in a group. :) I believe in you! You will prevail!
JustAnotherFlutist Thanks you. It's been a long 4 years, so it's just kind of built up.
I'm not sure if there's any groups around that I could join, At this point in the year, it seems almost pointless. A high school senior can only fit in to so many places, y'know?
It also depends on which college I go to as well. A lot of places don't have exactly what I'm looking for, so all I can really do is choose between my dreams and my hobby. It's a tough decision.
I am first chair, and I naturally picked up and did great.
which flute is your gold flute?
We get tested every once in awhile to see what chair we are. I was first in the beginning ( and very proud) then kicked down to 3rd, and now im 6th.( This is out of about 13 flutes, which isnt THAT bad but still disappointing) I really liked being 3rd & 1st the best. I really need to try harder to get back where I was >.
+Chrystall WentzUrieAllen While I support you working harder, don't overlook what you can learn in your current chair too! Maybe you can learn to blend, to listen around you more, and to watch your peers and learn from how they approach embouchure, posture, hand positions, etc! :)
+JustAnotherFlutist Okay! I'll give that a try. Thanks a ton(:
Because I am totally deaf, and I use cochlear implants to hear, it is easier for me to sit on the far end of the orchestra, that way I hear everything in my left ear (which is what I've been listening with my entire life). I just recently got a cochlear implant for my right ear, so I'm still teaching myself to listen with it, and it's a lot of fun having stereo sound in the middle of an orchestra, which makes second flute also my preferred location!😄
+Carter Terrano Oh my gosh, that is so cool!!! You are awesome!! It must be SO lovely to hear the surround sound!! Enjoy it to the fullest, it's MAGICAL in the 2nd flute chair!!
I love being principal flute in orchestra. I generally either play principal or piccolo, I've never been on to enjoy playing second. Funnily enough I don't really like playing solo either, I would much rather play chamber music or in orchestra.
+Matthew Lee Ahhh, I love chamber music too!! My ultimate favorite group to play in is a woodwind quintet. ^_^
+JustAnotherFlutist my goal is to play in a WWQ! I am studying at very small small small school at the moment so we don't have the instruments to put together a WWQ. But I am hopefully moving to the US in 2017 to do post grad study :)
I am currently a 1st trumpeter (or should I say 2nd too because I play both 1st and 2nd at the same time?) in my section but honestly, I do not like being 1st sometimes. I feel pressure when I am told to go first by my conductor and seniors who went like "Go upgrade yourself to 1st. We need support inside." Definitely, I have no choice but to move on to 1st. Sighs, so much misses being 2nd but glad I am first now because I am able to learn and advance myself, you know... >
+Crystal Ong Ohhhh, I feel you! When I was appointed first chair during my master's degree, I was so nervous! But I think you have an advantage right now: you know what it's like to be 2nd and what you like in a 1st trumpeter. Be that 1st trumpeter that you wanted when you were in 2nd chair! That way, you can give back to the other 2nd chairs :)
+JustAnotherFlutist that advantage is super true >< I really love playing 1st because of its melody. I will continue to work hard as 1st trumpeter before I step down from my band in months time. ^^ Thank you so much!
1st chair flute. Last year I was his favorite next to an 8th grader (I was a 6th grader) so by age I was 2nd. But this year, by talent I compete with another girl, but because Im his favorite, I'm first chair.
+Nikki Ta Awesome! I'll just leave a gentle reminder here to take care of your section and always be kind and considerate to all the musicians around you. :) Being the teacher's favourite has its perks, but make sure you use those perks for good, and for the benefit of the flutists who have been placed under you. :)
I play as a first chairman in band
are you still doing live sykpe helping? °-°
Im not in an orchestra but im in symphonic band soo im 2nd flute but i really want to be a 1st flute
I've been playing flute for two years now, but I'm more interested in piccolo. I know I need to play flute for a long time before I start piccolo, but I would like to know just HOW LONG that is.
Did u start playing picc yet? I started playing picc about 4 years into flute. I started flute in 4th grade, and I got into picc around 8th. Trust me, waiting is worth it
Building your fundamentals on flute will help a lot. When I started picc, I could play up to a high Ab/A. My chromatic was pretty good at about 130-140 bpm. Tuning on flute vs tuning on piccolo are two different worlds. Hell, tuning on piccolo vs tuning just about any other band instrument are two different dimensions XD. Also, I would start around the time your band director would ask if anyone would like to play the piccolo part. The piccolo part stands out a lot more and most people consider it a lot harder. When u start, good luck with it!
+Uppish (John F) No, I haven't started yet. I can't afford my own piccolo, and my school doesn't have one, either. My band director doesn't even ask us to tune, let alone play two instruments. I'm the only one in the band that tunes, so it's pointless. I'll get a piccolo some day.
In my band, I'm first chair because I had a private lesson with the teacher and he realised how far I had practiced ahead so he made me first chair because I had practiced ahead and was really good.
I play flute
I'm 11
Yay I'm second flutist too!
Going to all district auditions today
Good luck!
+Meredith Z All the best! You can do it! :D