Are you a flute player? Do you struggle to get gigs or students? Consider if you have a specialty or not!
Specializing as a flute player can help you narrow your focus. Then, you can make sure you take on gigs and students that you enjoy.
Keep reading for some ideas on ways you can specialize as a flutist!
Piccolo Player
One excellent way to specialize as a flute player is to focus on the piccolo. If you like playing the small flute, you can make that your main thing.
Then, you can become the go-to piccoloist within your studio or group of musical friends. Whenever someone needs a piccolo player, they can call you and ask you to play.
As a piccolo specialist myself, I love playing solo piccolo music and piccolo in an orchestra. It’s an excellent option, and the piccolo is fun if you can get over the high pitches.
Low Flute Player
If you don’t like the piccolo and prefer lower notes, you can also specialize in one or more low flutes. You can focus specifically on an instrument such as the alto flute or bass flute.
Then, you don’t have to worry about balancing your time between multiple low flutes (or your money, because they can be expensive).
More people are becoming low flute specialists, so the repertoire is growing. Low flutes are also pretty popular in flute choirs, so that can be a good place to start if you want to learn the lower flutes.
Baroque Flute Player
If you love the music of Bach, Telemann, and Vivaldi, consider specializing as a Baroque flute player. Of course, you can start by focusing on Baroque music on your modern instrument.
However, you can also buy a replica Baroque flute. Then, you can learn the different fingering system.
A Baroque flute has a sweeter tone than the modern metal flute. So if you want to take historical performance practice seriously, you can do that with a wooden flute.
Contemporary Flute Player
Perhaps you really like 20th and 21st century music. You could specialize in contemporary music. The music in this category can vary greatly, so you can find something you like.
If you can’t decide between focusing on piccolo or low flutes, this can be a good specialization. Then, you can play all of the flutes amongst different pieces.
You can also combine this specialty with either a piccolo or low flute focus. Then, you can narrow down the music that you want to learn and perform.
Ethnic Flute Player
If you like playing flutes from other cultures, this can be a great way to specialize as a performer. You can play instruments such as the ocarina, tin whistle, or Native American flute.
Then, you can learn or arrange music for those instruments. You can perform in traditional venues, or you can find your own venues to perform in.
If you like playing with others, you can look for broadway shows that use ethnic flutes, such as The Lion King. That way, you can perform on your different flutes for more people.
Collaborative Flutist
While not a super common specialization, you can also become a collaborative flute player and play in chamber groups. You could join a woodwind quartet or quintet, or you could join or form a different group.
Then, you can look for music for your group’s instrumentation, and you can perform it. If you like working with other musicians, this can be a rewarding speciality.
You can market yourself to other musicians and let them know you’re available when they need a flutist. That way, you can get gigs playing with others.
Sacred Music Performer
Whether or not you’re religious, you can also focus on performing sacred music. I’ve done a few church gigs, and even though I’m not religious, I do enjoy playing in worship services.
You can also play for weddings, baptisms, bar/bat mitzvahs, and other religious events. And you don’t need to be a member of the religion to perform.
This is a great specialization if you live in a rural area or small city. Almost every town or city has at least one church. You can pitch yourself to local churches to get gigs without having to worry about constant travel.
Remote Recording Artist
The age of COVID-19 has made remote recording more common. If you have a knack for technology and have or can get a good mic, you can record yourself playing at home.
Then, you can release your own album online or through a streaming service. Or you can sell your recording services to clients who need a flute player.
You don’t have to worry about leaving home, so it can give you more control over your schedule. And you can still make a good amount, especially if you take on client projects.
Virtual Concert Performer
If you want to perform from the comfort of home but prefer playing live, consider giving virtual concerts. You can set up your own concerts and sell tickets yourself.
Or you can sell your services to people and businesses who need music. Then, you can set up in your home studio, and you can play for people live.
You don’t have to worry about editing your recording, and you can sell as many tickets as possible. There’s no need to worry about booking a venue or dealing with a limit on seats.
Educational Performer
Another way you can specialize as a flute player is as an educational performer. You can play for schools and other educational organizations. Before or after your performance, you can talk about the flute and playing music.
This can be a great second specialty for ethnic flute players, piccoloists, and low flute specialists. You can use the talking portion of performances to educate students on the different members of the flute family.
Educational performance can also be a good way to market yourself as a flute teacher. If students see your performance and decide they want to learn to play flute themselves, you can gain new students.
So…
You don’t just have to be a regular flute player. If you want to get more gigs, you should consider specializing in a specific flute or type of music. Then, you can focus on that and become an expert, meaning you can charge more for your performances.