ChrisCracknell wrote:
Another Rock-climber/flute player. Seems to be a common combination. Me too. Also played (and still do) boehm flute for a while before starting the wooden flute.
Hi Chris. I haven't met many rockclimbing flute players over the years even though the flute and the mountains seem to be ideal partners. I hope I have a few more years of rockclimbing left in me. I have been very concerned lately since the finger joint pain I developed recently has taken so long to heal. I don't know if it is related to all the intense stress that I have placed on them for so many years, or whether it is just age-related arthritis starting to show up. Regardless, I'm about to return to the climbing gym and begin to get in shape for the spring climbing season around here. I have a deep yearning to return to Yosemite and Tuolumne Meadows to repeat some old classics that I haven't done for many years before I no longer have the physical ability to do them anymore.
It is nice hear that experience on the Boehm flute will be somewhat helpful with the Irish flute. I too have had problems learning to keep my fingers close to the keys on the silver flute, especially for fast passages. An even bigger problem for me, however, has been tightening up and over gripping when a fast or difficult passage is approaching. I can feel the dread rising several measures before the passage, and by the time I get there, I'm mentally gripped and finger-tied. Wow, sounds a lot like approaching the crux on a rockclimb! It's amazing how the mind can get in the way of our physical ability.
At my age I doubt that I will ever become a speed demon on the flute. Maybe I'll have to stick to slow airs!
Diane and DCrom - Any time spent in the mountains and hiking trails is all good...it's food for the soul.
BTW the flute is scheduled to arrive tomorrow!
Bob
Apart from one deliriously happy post describing the new flute of course...
