Hello Zig!

Thank you again for the helpful advice.

I am originally from NYC, but moved away along time ago. My new humble
abode exists in Charlotte, NC.

I know had I still been in NY, I would have been able to find my
answers a lot faster. Whenever I get back home to visit, it's hard to
break away to go "information" seeking. But I do whenever the chance
arrives!
The internet has been fun in getting me the answers I have been
seeking. I've met some interesting people - yourself included.
I even met an awesome flute player here locally via the internet who's
an old high school buddy of Dave Valentin. This gentleman's name is
Tommy Lopez. He had a website, I believe it was www.flutepraise.com.
Unfortunately for me, he's too busy to teach.

But I found a couple of guys at work to jam with from time to time.
And we've actually started working on writing some original tunes.

Jazz and blues are what I enjoy playing the most. And just like you
mentioned, "going outside the norm" when it comes to playing. That's
what I dig the most about jazz. To take what you feel inside, bend the
heck out of some notes, and sing it through your instrument.

I'll stop rambling on. And I'll pop in from time to time. Let you know
how my upper octave is coming along.

Thank you again,
jazz_iz_it