Beginner Flute Instruction

In this SECTION, I will introduce you to 4 flutes in the flute family. 

We’ll begin with the C Flute, which is the flute that you think of when you think of the flute. I’ll demonstrate its range and dynamics, and give you a taste of the various sounds you can make with the C Flute. 

I'll also show you the Alto Flute, the Bass Flute and the Piccolo.

By the end of this section you’ll know if the flute is the instrument for you. And if so, you’ll have a lot to look forward to because you can learn to make a lot of fun music with the flute. 

So, join me in this section to discover what you can do with the flute. 

When you think of the flute you’re thinking of this one, the C Flute. 

In this lecture, I’ll demonstrate my Haynes professional model flute and show you some of the differences between a professional model flute and a beginner model.

In this lecture, I'll demonstrate some of the sounds that you can make with a C Flute, from a low C, to a C that's 3 octaves higher. 

I'll also show you some "extended techniques" such as: 

• Flutter tonguing
• Vibrato
• Beat-boxing
• Multi-phonics
• Tongue stops 
• Jet whistle

There's so much that you can do with a flute!

In this lecture, I'll demonstrate the Alto flute, which is in the key of G. 

This beautiful instrument has a larger bore hole size – it’s thicker – and longer than the standard C Flute. This gives it a sultrier, more ethereal sound particularly in the upper register. 

The alto flute is used in Jazz performances and flute choirs.

In this lecture, I'll demonstrate the bass flute, which is in the key of C. 

The bass flute is bigger still than the alto flute. It’s longer with a bigger curved head joint and a larger bore size. It produces a beautiful low bass sound. Since it’s in the key of C, you can play with other C instruments without transposing the music. 

The bass flute is sometimes used in Jazz performances. It adds a nice depth to my flute choir. We notice when the bass flute misses flute choir.

In this lecture, I'll demonstrate the piccolo, which is the smallest member of the flute family. It is also in the key of C which means that you can play with other C instruments without transposing the music. 

It only goes down to a D, and when it goes up to a high C it sounds an octave higher than the C Flute. 

The Piccolo is often played in marching band.

In this SECTION, I’m going to help you make a good purchase decision – to buy the right flute for you or the beginner flutist in your life. 

We’ll discuss some important considerations that effect which flute you buy such as:

• Your age – whether too young or too old
• The size and strength of your fingers and hands
• Your aspirations
• Your budget
• Who makes beginner and intermediate flutes
• Where to buy: online, music stores, auction sites

Not sure if you’re too young or too old to begin playing the flute? In this lecture, we’ll discuss some of the things you need to consider before you buy a flute.

In this lecture, we're going to discuss some of the things that effect the cost of flutes, and which ones you should consider based on your age, your aspirations, and of course, your budget. 

In this lecture, we'll discuss some of the companies that make beginner and intermediate flutes.

In this lecture I’ll share some tips about where to buy your flute and what to keep in mind.

In this SECTION, I’ll teach you how to care for your flute. 

There are things that you must do every time you finish playing your flute and other things that only a trained technician should do – things that you should not try at home. 

In this lecture, I’ll demonstrate the only 2 ways that you should hold your flute. 

This will help keep it safe while it’s out of its case and in your hands. Holding the flute by its “handle” is the only way that I allow my young beginners to hold their flute. 

But there is another way that is acceptable – when you’re ready.

In this lecture, I’ll explain the uses of 3 different kinds of flute cleaning cloths. 

I’ll also reveal a secret place for finding one of the best cloths.

It’s very important to clean the inside of your flute, not just the outside. 

In this lecture, I’ll demonstrate how to carefully take apart your flute, and then correctly clean it inside and out.

What should you do with your flute when you’re not playing it, but are not ready or able to take it apart and put it away in its case? 

In this lecture, you’ll learn how to properly put your flute down on a flat surface, or in a flute stand to protect it. 

Plus, I’ll demonstrate 3 types of flute stands that every flutist may want to own.

There's a certain type of case that you should never carry by its handle. 

In this lecture, you’ll learn about 3 types of flute bags and cases to protect your instrument and carry your music and gear. 

And, I’ll tell you why this type of bag has been my absolute favorite for many years.

If you’ve stopped sounding good, it may not be completely your fault! 

In this lecture, you’ll learn when to take your flute to a professional technician for a “COA.” 

This is not DIY maintenance!

You’re getting ready to start playing music on the flute!

But first, in this SECTION I’ll teach you:

• How to put your flute together so that you're ready to play
• How to hold your flute to play it
• Where to place your fingers so you can reach all the keys
• How to stand with the proper posture for the best sound 
• 2 ways to make your first sounds with your flute

It can be scary putting your flute together – you’re afraid to break it! 

In this lecture, I’ll show you the best way to put your flute together without damaging it. 

I’ll also show you how to line up the keys and tone hole to get the best sound.

Where should you put your hands and fingers on the flute to play? 

In this lecture, I’ll walk you through the process of getting your hands on the flute with your fingers in the proper positions to play. 

Plus, I’ll show you a few tricks that will work for your hand size.

Does it matter how you stand and hold your body when you play the flute? 

In this lecture, we’ll discuss how to position your shoulders, chest, chin, head, and arms, and how to angle your flute to get the best sound.

In this lecture, I’ll show you 2 fun and easy ways to start making sounds with just your flute headjoint. 

This is a great way for a beginner to gain confidence making their first sounds with the flute.

This is where the fun really begins – You learn to play songs on the flute!

In this SECTION, I’ll teach you:

• 11 beginner songs by ear – without reading music
• We’ll start with 3 easy notes that move in simple steps
• I’ll teach you how to articulate your notes to get a sparkly sound
• We’ll play the same 3 notes but make it a little harder by skipping around
• We’ll add more notes
• Then we’ll add a flat and a sharp
• We’ll play duets together where you play the melody and I play harmony!

In this Lecture, I’ll teach you to play your first beginner song. 

I’ll show you where to place your fingers on the keys to play the notes B, A, and G. Then you’ll play along with me.

Practice this song over and over until you can play along with me at the same tempo and hit each note.

In this Lecture, I’ll teach you to articulate notes with the tip of your tongue to get a sparkly sound without running out of air.

In this Lecture, you’ll play your first duet with me! 

You’ll play the melody that you just learned, and I’ll play harmony. You’ll learn to breath with me on a count of 4 so we start together.

Before you try the duet, practice the song over and over until you can play the melody with me at the same tempo.

In this Lecture, I’ll teach you to play your second beginner song using the same 3 notes: B, A, and G. Then you’ll play along with me. 

I’ll give you a tip about your finger placement, in case you’re playing the very sad sounding Mary Had a Little Lamb.

Practice this song over and over until you can play along with me at the same tempo and hit each note.

In this Lecture, you’ll play your second duet with me! You’ll play the melody that you just learned, and I’ll play harmony.

Before you try the duet, practice the song over and over until you can play the melody with me at the same tempo.

Introducing a “skip.” 

In this Lecture, we’ll use the same 3 notes we’ve used so far: B, A, and G. But this song will be a tiny bit trickier because there’s a skip. 

In the first two songs, we moved by steps. That is, we go from a G to an A to a B to an A to a G, always in order. But now we’re going to skip from a G to a B which makes it a small step up in difficulty.

Practice this song over and over until you can play along with me at the same tempo and hit each note.

In this Lecture, we’ll play another duet together. You’ll play the melody that you just learned, and I’ll play harmony.

Before you try the duet, practice the song over and over until you can play the melody with me at the same tempo.

Introducing the notes C and D. 

In this Lecture, we’ll use the same 3 notes we’ve used so far: B, A, and G, plus we’ll learn C and D. 

This song goes up another small step in difficulty level because we’re not only adding 2 new notes, we’re also adding more skips. 

Practice this song over and over until you can play along with me at the same tempo and hit each note.

In this Lecture, we’ll play another duet together. You’ll play the melody that you just learned, and I’ll play harmony.

Before you try the duet, practice the song over and over until you can play the melody with me at the same tempo.

In this Lecture, we’ll play a second duet together for this song. 

Like before, you’ll play the melody that you just learned, and I’ll play harmony. This time, I’ll play a more complicated duet part. This will make it a little more fun for us.

Before you try this duet, practice the song and the first duet over and over until you can play the melody with me at the same tempo.

In this Lecture, we’ll use the same 5 notes we’ve used so far: B, A, and G, plus C and D. 

We’ll practice moving between B to D, and C to D, with pinky down, pinky up.

Practice this song over and over until you can play along with me at the same tempo and hit each note.

In this Lecture, we’ll play another duet together. You’ll play the melody that you just learned, and I’ll play harmony.

Before you try the duet, practice the song over and over until you can play the melody with me at the same tempo.

Introducing the note E. 

In this Lecture, we’ll use the same 5 notes we’ve used so far: B, A, G, C and D, plus we’ll add E.

Practice this song over and over until you can play along with me at the same tempo and hit each note.

In this Lecture, we’ll play another duet together. You’ll play the melody that you just learned, and I’ll play harmony.

Before you try the duet, practice the song over and over until you can play the melody with me at the same tempo.

Introducing the note F# (“F Sharp”). 

In this Lecture, we’ll use the same 6 notes we’ve used so far: B, A, G, C and D, and the E that we just added. Now you’ll learn F#.

Practice this song over and over until you can play along with me at the same tempo and hit each note.

In this Lecture, we’ll play another duet together. You’ll play the melody that you just learned, and I’ll play harmony.

Before you try the duet, practice the song over and over until you can play the melody with me at the same tempo.

Introducing the note Bb (“B Flat”). 

In this Lecture, we’ll use the same 6 notes we’ve used so far: B, A, G, C, D, E, and the F# that we just added. Now you’ll learn Bb.

Practice this song over and over until you can play along with me at the same tempo and hit each note.

In this Lecture, we’ll play another duet together. You’ll play the melody that you just learned, and I’ll play harmony.

Before you try the duet, practice the song over and over until you can play the melody with me at the same tempo.

In this Lecture, we’ll start on A, but then use a lot of low fingers. Notes used: A, F#, G, E, and low D.

Practice this song over and over until you can play along with me at the same tempo and hit each note.

In this Lecture, we’ll play another duet together. You’ll play the melody that you just learned, and I’ll play harmony.

Before you try the duet, practice the song over and over until you can play the melody with me at the same tempo.

In this Lecture, we’ll be using the low fingers again. 

So, I’ll give you an important tip about playing in the low register. We’ll start on G then go right down to the low D. Notes used: G, D, E, F#, C, B, and A.

Practice this song over and over until you can play along with me at the same tempo and hit each note.

In this Lecture, we’ll play another duet together. You’ll play the melody that you just learned, and I’ll play harmony.

Before you try the duet, practice the song over and over until you can play the melody with me at the same tempo.

In this Lecture, we’ll start on A then go right to the F#. Notes used: A, F#, G, E, D and A.

Practice this song over and over until you can play along with me at the same tempo and hit each note.

In this Lecture, we’ll play another duet together. You’ll play the melody that you just learned, and I’ll play harmony.

Before you try the duet, practice the song over and over until you can play the melody with me at the same tempo.

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the last SECTION of the course.

We’ll wrap up the course in this SECTION with:

• Suggestions about practicing the flute
• The beginner books that I recommend for my students
• A few options for taking more lessons

How long you should practice daily depends on your age and ambitions. 

In this Lecture, I’ll share what I teach my beginner students as well as my young beginners about making your air last, and not getting dizzy.

A good way to practice with this course is to go through a couple of the beginner songs and duets every day. 

Eventually you will be able to play through with me from start to finish. If you do that, you’ll also be reminded of the many tips and tricks that I’ve sprinkled throughout.

Beginner Books will help you learn the basics of reading music and keeping time. 

In this Lecture, I’ll show you the 2 books that I use for my beginner students, including 1 that is great for young beginners. 

I hope that you’ve fallen in love with the flute and that you want to keep learning to play. 

In this Lecture, we’ll discuss a few options for you to continue taking lessons including other online courses, live video calls, and finding a private teacher in your area for face-to-face lessons.

Congratulations on completing this course!

Please contact me to give me feedback and let me know what else you’d like to learn.