June 21, 2004

Curious George: flute music My sister is getting married in October and has a friend who she'd like to play the flute as the bride walks down the aisle. Said sister has very simple, mainstream musical tastes and would like the flaustist to play something most people will recognise; that is, popular music as opposed to classical. Does anyone have any suggestions for appropriate music that would sound good on the flute?
  • Dude, some Jethro Tull would totally kick ass!
  • excuse me ma'am, its flaustist; I hear Britney Spears plays a mean skin flute.
  • how about askin' her
  • The Beatles spring to mind, especially: And I love Her I Will
  • Ugh, I was being so careful not to put 'flutist' that I didn't notice the extra 's'.
  • oh lordy i can just imagine what this post is going to end up looking like. hope you enjoy some, um, "unique" suggestions, trac!
  • What's wrong with flutist? The dictionary lists both variants.
  • Anything by Yngwie Malmsteen would be nice, I think.
  • Both flutist and flautist are correct. The OED cites the former from the 17th century, the latter from the 19th century. Flutist seems the preferred form in American English, and is, I believe, the form that you will find in The New Grove 2nd edition.
  • "La La Love You" - Pixies (whilst incorporating the whistle)
  • Barry White, man. I love i feel unusual's suggestion of The Beatles. Their music has a huge spectrum of love songs to choose from. Anything else will run the risk of sounding cheesey. (Think of the movie "The Wedding Singer" and how hilarious Air Supply sounded when played by a string quartet.) One of my friends got her Master's in bassoon performance. When she got married, four of her classmates played a bassoon quartet arrangement of "She Loves You." It was fabulous. It was perfect for the thin, farty bassoon voice.
  • Will the flute be playing solo, or accompanied?
  • Bohemian Rhapsody The Axel-F Theme or, for realsies: if she's REALLY mainstream, she might like My Heart Will Go On from "Titanic"
  • Without prying into religious affiliations, has your sister checked this out with the person performing the ceremony? A cousin of mine was all set to have "All I Ask of You"from Phantom of the Opera sung at her wedding, and the (Lutheran) minister refused to allow such obviously secular music in a Lutheran wedding. We were all a bit relieved at being spared that performance. At a different cousin's wedding, a friend of the bride played Morning Has Broken on the flute, and everyone thought it was great. YMMV.
  • certainsome1, I don't think she's that mainstream. I hope not. For the first dance, they're playing "If God Will Send His Angels" by U2 -- apparently it's from the City of Angels soundtrack and is their favourite song. And the flute will be solo. Beatles are always a solid choice, so I'll suggest those to her. Thanks, i feel unusual. On preview: ambrosia, that's one of my sister's favourite songs -- I can't believe we didn't think of that! The ceremony won't be religious and our step-grandmother is a celebrant who will happily go along with (almost) anything.
  • The thing to remember here is that a flute, unlike harp or piano, can only play one note at a time, so simple melodies are best.
  • For the first dance, they're playing "If God Will Send His Angels" by U2 My sister and her husband wanted this played at their wedding, but because they weren't getting married in a church they weren't allowed to, because it was against the terms of the hotels marriage licence to play any "religious music".
  • something most people will recognise; that is, popular music as opposed to classical How about recognizable classical music? Like Bach or Vivaldi? (BTW, fuck you, DeBeers. [Warning: Flash])
  • Nah, Wedge, trust me when I say that's not her scene at all. :)
  • I was at a wedding recently where The Rainbow Connection was played on the flute (unaccompanied). It worked in its own way--a lot more subtle than I expected.
  • The Rainbow Connection *spazzes* Friggin Great Song!
  • I cannot believe nobody suggested "Daydream Believer" by the MONKEES.
  • or, what about: Should I Stay Or Should I Go and, of course: Our Love Would Be Much Better (If I Gave A Damn About You) Sorry, I know that's no help.
  • You lot are hopeless. *laughs, shakes head*