One of the more common questions I'm asked is how I mic my flute, and manage to hear myself, while playing with a full band. After nearly ten years of playing on the road I've learned a few things that work well for me and would like to share them with you in this article.

Wireless lavaliere microphone vs. the standing microphone

Unless I'm working with a super sound man who really knows "his/her" stage...I stay clear of the wireless. I've had too many troubles with competing signals, dead spots on the stage (when the sound drops in and out) intermittently, and feedback issues to trust it for every performance. However; if I am lucky enough to work with someone who really knows the venue- like the Kennedy Center- I will go wireless. I like using the Audio-Technica Lav which I clip onto the leather tie. I found the mic to be too hot and breathy at first so I modified it by removing the windscreen and wrapping a piece of tape around the outside of the mic head. I've talked with other touring musicians who use the same microphone. There are plenty of channels to help you get around most of the local signals and the range is really good.

For most performances I stick with a standing microphone -whichever the sound man has to offer- and work with a rather short delay. Delays are tricky for live shows since they should be set to the tempo of the song; otherwise the notes are not in time and crash into each and/or those of my fellow band members.

Monitors- Floor Wedge vs. Personal "in-ear" Monitor

We all like to play with a nice reverb and delay on our flute, most of us play better and with more feeling when hearing the warmth that it brings to our song. In addition to the problem mentioned above, effects can wreck havoc on our sound. I've died a thousand times as the sweet sound of my flute grows into an ungodly shrill sound because the effects were being pushed through the floor wedges. My advise is to practice playing your songs without delay and ask the sound man to put the effects on the house feed and keep your monitors dry. It'll sound great and will spare you and your audience an audio beating.

If you are playing with a band and can afford to buy in ear monitors...do! I like the Shure Personal Monitor PSM 600 for the same reasons I listed above for the wireless mic. Additionally, I like that I can dial in my volume from my hip pack. Ask your sound man to put your flute "alone" in your ear with the band mix on the floor. If they push up the floor mix volume enough you'll be able to hear your band just fine. ..works like a charm!

One for the road

Learn what your flute feels like when you are playing (and when you can hear yourself). Each flute will vibrate and feel a certain way when you are playing them in tune. When you’re in the emotion of the moment and your band is playing really well...and very LOUD, it's easy to push too much air into your flute and make it go sharp. Even if you can't hear yourself you've got to trust in your sound man and trust that the audience can hear you. I made this mistake for years! I would usually push so much air into the flute that I'd get nasty chirps and overblows. After hearing a few live recordings of my playing I focused on how the flute felt in my hands when it was in tune and I’m a better performer because of it.

Lastly, remember to thank your sound man. I usually try to do it at the top of the show so they work harder for me. Good luck!