Flute and piano, unfortunately two instruments not sounding too good in combination with me. I’m using the piano for composing and arranging, but on a very basic level. My flute playing is, if possible, even more basic, but last week I decided to make an effort to get my chops together.

As a saxophone player it’s pretty important to at least have some basic knowledge on flute and also on clarinet, for big band and other horn section gigs. That’s why I decided to start working on the flute, and so far it’s ok, although it’s frustrating starting from the beginning with an instrument when you already are on a pretty good level on another one.

In January I was on a small tour with Morgan Andersson Blue Corners. During the tour my ligature (the metal thing keeping the reed in place on the mouthpiece) broke and I had to get a new one. I was happy and pleased with the new one, that by the way also was of another brand and model than I had before. My sound gets more soft and more balanced, but with the downside that I don’t get quite the same edge, power or whatever word suitable. I didn’t consider this a problem until I ended up on the lead chair of a big band the other day. All of a sudden I felt I couldn’t produce the carrying sound needed for the lead part. Somewhere around here my problems began. Now I have been to a couple of music stores, borrowed a number of ligatures and compare them to each other, but so far I’m having a really hard time deciding what feels best.

I hope this problem will solve and that I find a ligature I’m feeling ok with now during the weekend, since my rather intensive gig period starts on Monday. I want to be able to focus on the music and not have to think about if it feels and sounds like it should. I’m looking forward to playing this much though; see if I can stay fresh in my head and manage to create good music every time.

Can also tell you that I’m using this period to quit snuffing (Swedish tobacco, called snus here). With all the gigs coming up I’m having very many rehearsals right now and I thought it would be a good time to quit then, having lot’s of other things to do and think about. 7 days I’m counting so far. Maybe I’m imagining it, but it feels like it’s easier getting up in the morning. I really have to fight at coffee breaks, after food, by the computer, on the bus and in all other situations associated with taking a snus. I’m not giving up though!

Now I’m gonna go and try out some ligatures and practice a little, then I hope I’ll have time to go to the apartment to see how the work is developing and if it’s livable yet.