Stress vs Anxiety in our musical performance! As musicians, the stage is not only a platform for showcasing our art but also a battleground for our inner demons of stress and anxiety. In the latest episode of our podcast, we delve deep into this subject with forensic psychologist Dr. Beth Wright, who offers a compelling analysis of the psychological challenges that musicians face. Dr. Wright distinguishes between stress and anxiety, two terms that are often mistakenly used interchangeably. Stress, she explains, is an acute, fight-or-flight response to a triggering situation, while anxiety is a ..read more

The Complex Dance of Judgment and Opinion in Musical Performance In this captivating episode of Talking Flutes Extra, host Jean Paul Wright is once again joined by his daughter, forensic psychologist Dr. Beth Wright to delve into the intricate relationship between judgment and the mental and performance outcomes for musicians. The discussion kicks off with two thought-provoking listener questions about the effects of internal and external judgment and strategies to alleviate the burdens they impose. Dr. Beth Wright takes us on a journey from our primal roots to the modern-day, explaining how o ..read more

Navigating Procrastination with Dr. Beth Wright In this enlightening episode of Talking Flutes, host Jean Paul Wright is joined by Dr. Beth Wright, a flute player and forensic psychologist, to unravel the complexities of procrastination, especially as it relates to musicians. As the first in a short series focused on musician mental health and awareness, this discussion delves into the voluntary inaction that plagues many of us, exploring its triggers and consequences, and offering strategies to overcome it. Dr. Beth Wright, who happens to be Jean Paul's daughter, brings her personal and prof ..read more

The Flute Pad Revolution: A Symphony of Sustainability Are you a flute enthusiast always on the lookout for the next big thing in instrument care and maintenance? Well, prepare to be blown away by a recent innovation that's been the talk of the flute world, albeit in hushed tones until now. Welcome to the world of Poriflola, a groundbreaking padding system that's set to transform flutes globally. In this week's episode of Talking Flutes, we delve deep into this hush-hush topic that's been quietly making waves among the flute community.   For too long, flutists have faced the perennial pro ..read more

"People don't respond to what you do, they respond to why you do it." Jazz, improvisation, and the quest for one's unique musical voice—these are just a few of the themes explored in the latest episode of Talking Flutes with Let Steve Cole guide you through the art of making every note count. Listen now and let your musical journey take flight! 'Talking Flutes', 'Talking Flutes Extra' and 'Bitesize' are podcast productions for the TJ Flute Company.  For more information visit www.tjflutes.com   ..read more

The Pursuit of Perfection: A Double-Edged Sword As performing musicians, the pursuit of excellence is ingrained in our very essence. The relentless drive to improve, the ceaseless study, and the desire for validation from others can create a challenging landscape for our self-worth. In this short podcast we’ll explore the pressures that musicians face in their quest for improvement, the impact of external measures on self-worth, and provide practical exercises to help musicians discover and appreciate their intrinsic value. 'Talking Flutes', 'Talking Flutes Extra' and 'Bitesize' are podcast pr ..read more

Spicing up your relationship with the flute! Extended techniques expand the palette of flute learning and playing. "The benefits of using extended techniques to improve your flute playing This week on 'Talking Flutes' Jean-Paul speaks with Dr Mary Matthews and Nicole Chamberlain about their latest publication 'Into The Beyond', a method book for flutists looking to develop their extended techniques such as beatboxing, jet whistles, singing and playing, multiphonics, which is a follow on tutor book from their first highly successful method flute book 'Beatboxing & Beyond'. Check out these f ..read more

How to break free from the shackles of comparison! In the intricate tapestry of musical expression, the quest to be true to oneself often encounters a formidable obstacle—comparison. The impulse to measure one's musical journey against others can hinder creativity, stifle growth, and erode the joy of making music. In this short podcast recorded on the banks of a stream in the north of England on a cold day in March, Jean-Paul delves into the critical importance of freeing ourselves from self-limiting factors, particularly the pervasive influence of comparison.   'Talking Flutes', 'Talking ..read more

Transformative Notes from Death Row! In Talking Flutes Extra podcast this week Jean-Paul has a fascinating discussion with musician, composer, flute player and activist Elsa Nilsson. We start with the power of improvisation. The podcast then moves on to a composition using the voice of 'Maya Angelou' with 'The Band of Pulses' and we end with the story, voice and music of Keith LaMar, currently fighting his innocence from Death Row where he has an execution date set for 13th January 2027.   https://www.elsanilssonmusic.com 'Talking Flutes', Talking Flutes Extra' and 'Bitesize' are pod ..read more

Gosh we made it! Join us as we celebrate our 300th episode of Talking Flutes! In this special podcast, we'll reveal the secrets behind our success and share some behind-the-scenes stories from our journey as flutists and podcasters. Whether you're a flute player, a musician, or just a fan of podcasts, you won't want to miss this episode! When we began the Talking Flutes podcast over 6 years ago, we initially had a target of getting to 10 pods and then see what the reaction was. After all, talking about flutes each week was potentially limiting in how many subjects within the flute sphere we th ..read more