Flute Renaissance

The flute renaissance is here!

The flute is suddenly the hottest instrument. It’s making a huge splash in pop music (thank you, Lizzo) and I’m seeing a spike in kids choosing the instrument for band.

Lizzo Is Making the Flute Cool

Check out this article from The Guardian, dated July 2019:

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jul/09/flute-lizzo-and-the-woodwind-renaissance?fbclid=IwAR2fqIhgVAvGQ-GrnJdcE-SXq_-Ta9ge9cXrQgDrqyaLVCoevxel-Q7X1Q0

And this one from Fox News:

https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/lizzo-boosts-flute-sales-as-classical-music-has-renaissance-on-instagram?fbclid=IwAR0vsi124eG5mP8IMNBVs5IJ4Q9r55Hg9YdkUmKh7OX-iVQwDjc834RqGuk

Lizzo

LANGUAGE ALERT! The artist Lizzo doesn’t hold back. Her ferocious playing is matched by her foul mouth. However, she proves that the flute has a role beyond the sweet, delicate, instrument of the classical orchestra.

https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/lizzos-10-best-flute-videos/

Flutes in Space

Astronaut Cady Coleman brought her flute into space with her. You can watch a video of her and Ian Anderson in their flute duet between space and earth.

Still a Classic

Minds are still being blown by Ian Anderson, one of my favorite flutists who was able to fuse hard rock, classical, folk, and jazz. He’s a Renaissance Man if there ever was one! (Bonus points if you can name the tune quoted in the extended flute solo in the video below!)

I’ve always known that the flute is an amazingly versatile instrument. It’s fun to see a new generation of flutists expressing themselves through the flute.

Fuzing Rock and Classical

I love the flute and I find it to be an incredibly versatile instrument. From renaissance music to pop and everything in between. Sometimes, all of it at once!

Scholars Take Note

James Russell, student extraordinaire, discovered that 2 of the 5 most-downloaded Ph.D. theses from Ohio universities are flute-related:

Lin, Horng-Jiun “An Illustrated Basic Flute Repair Manual for Professionals.” Electronic Thesis or Dissertation. Ohio State University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1211871566

Fair, Demetra “Flutists’ family tree: in search of the American Flute School.” Electronic Thesis or Dissertation. Ohio State University, 2003. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1054645874

Have you noticed an increase in flute interest? Post your thoughts below.

For more ideas about creativity, please read my other blog posts:

http://marlenehartzler.com/eating-popcorn-with-chopsticks-novelty-is-the-spice-of-life/

http://marlenehartzler.com/new-ideas-for-creative-practice/

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