I suspect i know a lot about flute playing now but its hard to put it into practice.

The problem

When you have reached a good level of playing the best practice (to make music) is to play solo, or enter MUSIC competitions, play as a duet (clarinet ), play in ensembles and orchestras. But the bottom line its hard to find like minded musicians and the opportunities to do all of that.

Conclusion
Faced with this problem i suspect we rely on teachers to drive us forward and motivate even though the do not help us truly play music once y have reach a good level of skill.

Do you agree? What approaches have you found?

Let me share some thoughts with my usual caveats- I'm a rank beginner and can't speak from experience- at least not regarding the music field directly.

You said "we rely on teachers to drive us forward and motivate". I think teachers need to motivate kids who are just starting out. But if you're anwhere on the spectrum of professional or even someday approaching professional, you need to be 100% self motivated. Music is a terribly difficult field to succeed in under the best of circumstances. Having to be externally motivated while competing for a shrinking pool of jobs against competition from around the world who has figured out self motivation a long time ago is going to be almost impossible.

Yes, your teacher is a source of information about orchestras, competitions, etc... But music, like many other fields, is changing rapidly, and your teacher may be a better source of information about yesterday's opportunities, not todays. Leverage everything your teacher has to say. But figure out what is new on your own, working with friends, etc.. This may include youtube projects, creating your own ensembles using tools like meetup, creating music for new media like video blogs and video games, and other things that nobody else has thought of because you are the first!

Best of luck.

Really good comments. I agree on all points.

Firstly let me say I am not a flute player (just a musician). So I can't know the specific issues you have for the flute.

I can guess though that 'the repertoire' and the styles of music normally open to flute may me more limited than, say, the piano.

Recently I witnessed someone turning up with a french horn to play in a jazz band I was playing in . We all felt bad that this person really couldn't join in - the sound didn't fit and there were no F parts in the music sets.
But to me - with the right group of open minded people - why not see a french horn playing jazz??

Anyway - my answer to your question is - it depends what you want to play. What music speaks to you most and makes you want to express yourself? If it's solo pieces, then I think you will need some mentor to help you find the right skills and to listen to your playing and give you feedback.

I always advocate playing in some kind of ensemble (whether big or small). It's a way to share experiences with other musicians. Even if they play different instruments than you, there is still much to lear from each other.

In one jazz band I play in, a lady plays tenor sax and flute (no - not at the same time). There is one number w're playing where she starts on sax and switches to flute - I love the colour change this brings to the piece.

One more thing - whatever way you find now to help you move forward - I think it changes over time. What you do today may not be what you need in the future.

When you decide what to to - let us know (I always like to find out how things turn out).

Rbreslin,

Not as lucky as you. My skills, and pleasure, are centred on playing classical music in the most musical way I can. I love all types of classical music (old to modern) in all forms e.g.: solo to orchestral.

I agree with your comments, if I cannot connect with fellow musicians I will have no choice but to find a teacher for inspiration to play music with. That said, my ideal would be to find a musician to meet periodically and target odd events be play for charity, competitions or just fun.

Guess my next issue is finding a teacher that plays as a musician as opposed to teaches lol.

PS: One of my other challenges is finding places to practice when I travel for work...hotels are not great.

I will keep in touch.

Faced with this problem i suspect we rely on teachers to drive us forward and motivate even though the do not help us truly play music once y have reach a good level of skill. Do you agree? What approaches have you found?

The quality teacher should remain an inspiration, they should provide you with the blueprint for daily success in your practice/development routine. They should also be wise enough to be a coach for your performances, competitions and such if you so desire. It is up to your self-drive to do your own work however.
Keep learning and improving your skills. Your development as a musician is a life-long commitment or for as long as you remain in music.

~bilbo
N.E. Ohio