"Could you write a few practice tips for flute players for the web site?” David asks blithely - meaning: I know this woman; I can’t believe she actually teaches anybody anything. Well the books are full of perfectly sound approaches to practicing - set yourself goals, practice regularly, choose a good environment to work in, always start with long notes to warm up, divide your time: 1/3 tone 1/3 technical 1/3 pieces blah! blah! blah! etc.

Let me add one or two from personal experience. It is possible to practice while cooking the family meal. Cooking the potatoes will get you through the warm-up but take care when grilling chops, sausages etc. - you’ll probably only get through a sustained scale or two before turning them. Arpeggios go well with peas and carrots, these are short and can be adjusted to finish just as the peas start to boil over.

Gravy is tricky unless you have three hands however your scales will definitely increase in speed. Roasts are wonderful, stir fry - a bit tricky. Jam making is definitely a no no! I fondly think I may have been able to perfect that tricky passage in the three hours it took to clean the stove.

Life is full of little challenges for adults trying to find time to practice or maybe David just might be right - how does she teach anybody anything?

Yours in the fervent hope of one day playing faster than Andante,

Barbara (from the bushes).

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Yeh! Right! Barbara Moulday - thanks heaps for these gems! Bad luck though - I’m sure you’ve got no hope of anyone believing that you are not an amazingly wonderful flute teacher and all round nice gal. !!!!!!!!