JakFlute (me) on Jakarta Globe

September 24, 2009

Tasa Nugraza Barley

Charity Olivia, 18, is is one of the youngest members in JakFlute, a group which aims to connect flute players in a nation where the instrument is not well-known. (JG Photo)


Jakarta’s Flutists Band Together

Inspired by the lack of opportunities for flutists to meet and practice, two professional musicians recently decided the time had come to unite players of the instrument in Jakarta by establishing the country’s first flute community.

Metta F Ariono founded JakFlute with fellow player Marini Widyastari in June.

“We were surprised to find that there were actually many flutists in this city. So we decided to create JakFlute,” Metta said.

“Indonesians are not very familiar with Western classical music instruments, but there are now more people who want to learn them, including the flute,” she said.

“There are three families of orchestral instruments. There are string instruments, wind instruments and percussion instruments. The flute is a wind instrument. Among all the wind instruments, flute is the most popular,” Metta said.

JakFlute now has 14 active members who meet every Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Senopati.

They have already had one public performance and are preparing to perform at the National Monument, or Monas, on Oct. 11 as part of Japan Week, a cultural celebration organized by that nation’s embassy in Jakarta.

To attract a more diverse audience, JakFlute play a variety of songs, including classics and modern hits.

“We want to show the public that playing the flute can be lots of fun and that it’s not a boring musical instrument,” Metta said.

United in their love of the flute, members of JakFlute want to share the instrument and the beauty of its sound.

Another member, Fiona, said, “It’s such a shame that so few people know about this musical instrument.”

“Most parents will send their children to a private piano class when they want to build their musical ability. It never occurs to them that other instruments might be as beautiful as piano or guitar,” Metta said.

Asked why there were more female flutists than male players, she explained, “It’s not that the flute is a ‘female’ musical instrument, I don’t believe in such a thing. But I think it’s because the flute produces a very soft and melodic sound.”

One of JakFlute’s missions is to connect flutists in Jakarta so they can play together and exchange information and develop their musical talents.

“You can play flute solo, but it’s so much better if you can play in a big group,” Marini said.

JakFlute is not just a group of people with the same hobby, with members so close that it’s like a family, she added. “It’s that kind of atmosphere that all of us enjoy.”

JakFlute Members Share Their Thoughts:

Charity Olivia, 18, student
Cherry, as her friends call her, is one of the youngest members in JakFlute and has been playing flute since the 10th grade.

“I fell in love with the flute because it produces a very beautiful sound,” Cherry said.

The young musician said she joined JakFlute when it was first established and that she liked being part of the community because it gives her a chance to improve her skills.

“There are so many great flute players here and they always give me new tips and tricks,” she said. “My parents are so supportive and they are happy with my decision to join JakFlute as long as it doesn’t interfere with my school schedule.”

Tsukasa Hirota, 40, Japanese Diplomat
Jakarta is Hirota’s third post after having worked in China and Canada. As the only foreigner in the group he gets a lot of attention from other JakFlute members.

“It’s so much fun being a member of JakFlute. The people are so nice and kind too,” said Hirota, who has been playing the flute for many years.

“It’s wasn’t easy at first since I’m the only foreigner. But I’ve always believed that music is a universal language, so I talk to them with my flute,” he said. “The tutors have great skills and they’re very nice. My playing skills have been improving since I joined this community.”

Hirota said he hoped he could help the flutists’ group flourish. “Flute has a very promising future in Indonesia, there are many good flutists here.”

Metta F Ariono, 33, musician and JakFlute founder
Metta has been playing music since she was only 4 years old. Her first instrument was piano, but later she learned the recorder from her father. In 1993 she saw an orchestra perform for the first time and felt drawn to the music.

She began studying the flute intensively in 1995 at university when she joined a classical orchestra for the very first time.

Now a professional flutist, she plays concerts and gives lessons. This year, she and her friend Marini Widyastari founded JakFlute.

“We want to conduct at least two shows every year so that our members can have the chance to improve their skills,” Metta said. “I’m very excited [about JakFlute]. I never thought we would have so many members.”