The Magic of the Flute

A scene in the 1950s is still etched in my memory. An elderly gentleman, with a military bearing, was playing a 19th century rosewood flute in his large and overcrowded living room, complete with a full-size billiard table and some artefacts in the course of being repaired: such as a large wall clock and a pre-war HMV radio.

The gentleman was my grandad, Mr Bill Roberts, an excellent player who had played in a military band in his younger days on flute and piccolo.

As a young boy, the sound of the flute got to me and has stayed with me ever since. I was fortunate to have had flute lessons from the age of 12, and to have played the flute and piccolo ever since, but rarely in recent years. I have owned a number of flutes, and my latest one I call my “new flute”, although it was my fortieth birthday present from my late wife, which took place many years ago. It is a beautiful silver instrument and a delight to play.

For me, the sound of the flute has a sort of magic: it is ethereal, primeval and universal. I like to think of myself as a musician, but I was not blessed with a good singing voice: not much quality and a small range. Flute playing makes up for this. I have three octaves on my flute and feel that I can make the instrument sing.

It was a great joy for me last week to play the flute in some trios with two musical friends. I am sure that flute playing is good for health: good for breathing and taking one away from the everyday matters of concern.

I have been inspired by many famous flautists over the years, including the French giants of the 20th century, Marcel Moise and Jean-Pierre Rampal (the latter worth a listen on YouTube). Nearer home we have William Bennet and, of course, the phenomenon who is James Galway. His very special playing inspired many young people to take up the flute. It was said that he could breathe in whilst playing the flute, never needing to stop for breath. It is said that when he was principal flute with the Berlin Philharmonic, he was asked not to do so as he was causing some string players to become asthmatic! Flute playing is good for health but remember to breathe for your sake and that of others.

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