So, you want to learn to play the flute and you’ve just bought yourself a shiny new instrument. Now what?
I’m here to answer all your burning questions about the flute, and offer you lots of tips and details about how to get the most out of your flute. This article should tell you everything you need to know about flutes for beginners.
Origins of the flute
From baroque times onwards, flutes were made out of wood and only had a few keys. This limited how many notes this type of flute could play, and made it difficult to play well in tune. Players involved in historical performance still play copies of these instruments, and they are called traverso or baroque flutes.
In the 19th century, Theobold Boehm revolutionized the design of the flute by inventing a new fingering system which is still used today by flute manufacturers.
If you like a challenge then it’s worth checking out his studies that he wrote to show off his new flute. They are fantastic and are standard repertoire for a budding flutist!
Composers have used flutes as solo instruments and for different music groups for hundreds of years and they are still used in the modern symphony orchestra today, and certainly aren’t limited to one music genre.
Why not listen to some of my favorite pieces for flute to inspire your practice?
Types of flute
Flutes come in a variety of shapes and sizes so you have a great choice of instruments. The most common types of flutes are:
- Piccolo
- Concert Flute
- Alto Flute
- Bass Flute
Concert Flute
The most common member of the flute family is the concert flute. It has a range from middle C to 3 octaves above this. This flute comes with either a straight headjoint or a curved headjoint for flutists with smaller hands.
These flutes are most commonly made from metal, either silver or silver plated. You can also buy flutes made from gold and platinum if you want to buy a professional model.
PRICE LEVEL: Intermediate
FEATURES: Silver plated throughout
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Their popularity with teachers and students means that they hold their value well so they are always a sound investment.
- Yamaha is a trusted brand
- Includes a split E, C footjoint and an offset G key
- Available with both straight and curved headjoints for smaller players
- Expensive compared to other beginner flutes
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Piccolo
The smallest member of the flute family is the piccolo. This means tiny in Italian. The piccolo is most at home in the orchestra and adds a magical sparkle to the sound of a full orchestra.
They are most often made from wood to give a more rounded sound to their high range. You can also find piccolos in marching bands.
COMES WITH: An offset G Mechanism
FEATURES: Silver Plated ABS Body, a conical bore, and a hard case
Student Piccolo fc-100
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Amazing Value For Money
- ABS Body Means It'll Withstand Regular Practice And Transport
- Conical Bore Means The Body's Tubing Gets Narrower Towards The Lower End, Resulting In An Even, Consistent Sound
- You'll Need To Upgrade To A More Expensive Instrument When You Progress Further
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
An alto flute is larger than a concert flute and plays in the key of G, so it is a transposing instrument. You will hear this flute played in famous orchestra pieces such as Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloe and Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring.
Alto & bass Flute
It is also featured in the score for Disney’s The Jungle Book. The alto flute represents the snake!
An even lower instrument is the bass flute. This instrument has to have a curved headjoint so the player can reach all the keys! It has a beautiful, mellow sound and can be heard in Holst’s The Planets Suite.
All of these instruments can be used in a flute choir which is a great ensemble to join.
But as the two most popular instruments are the concert flute and piccolo, I’ve created this little video to show the difference:
Anatomy of the flute
How Do I Put My Flute Together?
The flute is made up of 3 parts
- Head joint
- Body
- Foot Joint
The first thing you need to know is how to take your flute out of the box and put it together correctly. Pretty much all flutes come in 3 parts – the headjoint, the body and the footjoint. A good tip is to take 2 pieces at a time and gently wiggle them together. Most student flutes have markings to show you when the flute is lined up correctly.
How Do I Hold My Flute?
Whether you are left or right handed, you hold the flute the same way. Your flute should point out to your right hand side and your left hand should be closest to your head. All 10 fingers and thumbs are important to play the flute but most of the weight of the flute is supported by your right hand thumb and little finger and your left hand 1st finger.
Things to consider when buying a flute
Open or closed hole flute
For a beginner, a closed hole student flute is recommended because they are much easier to play, and more suitable to that skill level. You may want to consider buying an open hole flute if you are interested in playing jazz or contemporary music using extended techniques. You can buy handy plugs to cover the holes whilst you get used to playing with an open hole flute, which is ideal for students.
A great sound effect on the flute is to slowly slide your finger across a tone hole or one of the open holes. This creates a gradual change of sound which is also called a glissando.
Material
Most beginner flutes are silver plated which offer good sound quality at an affordable price. There are also some plastic flutes on the market. These can be a good option for smaller players as they are a reduced size, lighter and more sturdy. However, you do sacrifice some sound quality.
COMES WITH: A great case and cleaning kit
BEST THING: This instrument is super easy to clean and pretty indestructible!
Nuvo jFlute 2.0
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- The ‘donut’ headjoint makes it easier for small arms to reach all the keys.
- There are helpful grip spots to aid good hand position
- Extra “Firstnote’ mouthpiece which is very similar to a recorder mouthpiece.
- Great range of bright colours available.
- You lose some richness of sound that comes from a metal flute
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
The best flutes are made of precious metal. This offers the best sound quality, but they are also the most expensive. Flutes can be made out of solid silver, gold, platinum and even newer metals such as Palladium. Each of these metals has a different look as well as a different sound.
Some flute players prefer to buy a wooden flute. These can offer a softer and more mellow sound and can also look beautiful. If you are interested in baroque or folk music then this might be the material for you.
A good compromise for a mid-range flute is to buy a solid silver head joint with a silver-plated body. You can also change the sound of your flute with a wooden head joint. You will be amazed how much changing a head joint on a flute can affect the sound, it is also a great option to bear in mind if you want an upgrade but don’t want to replace your whole flute.
Quality of keys
Most student flutes have silver or nickel plated keywork. However, if you want to invest in a quality instrument then you will have the option of solid silver or gold keywork. This greatly improves the sound so is a great thing to look out for.
Very cheap flutes often have key work which is too soft so it bends easily. Avoid these flutes, because they are a bad investment that often cost a lot in repairs!
How much does a flute cost?
Flutes range massively in cost, from the price of a decent restaurant meal to the cost of a car! Watch this video to find out more:
B-foot or C-foot
Beginner flutes usually come with a “C” foot joint. This is all you need until you have been playing for quite a while.
A “B” foot joint gives you an extra low note which is a lovely addition for more advanced players. There are some pieces in solo and orchestral repertoire that require a B foot joint.
How to care for your flute
After every practice session you should clean your flute to remove any moisture that might have built up whilst you’ve been playing. You can use a cleaning cloth or gauze and your cleaning rod to remove moisture – or like me, use a ‘cleaning swab’ like this.
If you’re feeling extra keen then you can also polish the outside of your flute using a silver polishing cloth so give it the best shine. I like this cloth from Music Nomad.
You should also book your instrument in for a service with a qualified repairer every year or so. They will make sure your flute is adjusted correctly and replace any pads which have become too worn.
Your flute teacher or online forums will have recommendations for trusted repairers. Most woodwind shops also have an in house repairer. But if in doubt, join the Ted’s List VIP Facebook Group and ask the members who they can recommend.
I would warn you against trying to fix a flute yourself unless you really know what you’re doing. You should bear in mind that you make the problem worse, which will cost even more to fix!
Accessories for your flute
There is a huge series of products and accessories to choose from, because the flute is such a popular instrument. Here are the things you absolutely must have.
Case
COMES WITH: Water Resistant Design
FEATURES: Lightweight Material
Protec LX308 Pro Pac Lux Messenger Flute/Picc Case
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Lots of pockets for all accessories
- Adjustable strap
- Looks smart and professional
- Quite bulky
- More expensive than smaller cases.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Your instrument needs a case for when you take it out of your house to rehearsals and lessons. A hard case is best as it protects your flute from damage and weather conditions.
Your instrument will normally come with a standard case, but you can also get great cases which include storage pockets for pencils and cleaning accessories.
You can also get cases which fit a flute and a piccolo, this can be useful if you need both for orchestra.
Instrument Stand
COMES WITH: Lightweight design
FEATURES: Soft plastic coating that won't scratch your instrument
K&M compact stand
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- It folds up so small it can even fit inside your foot joint in your case so it takes up no room at all in your bag!
- Smart, black colour, great for concerts
- Can feel a little flimsy.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
A stand for your instrument is very important, because this keeps your flute safe whilst you are not using it. I always find I do much more practice if my instrument is already out of its case and on the stand in my room.
Somehow it seems easier to persuade yourself to practice!
I like this K&M compact stand above as it folds up so small it can even fit inside your foot joint in your case so it takes up no room at all in your bag!
If you are looking for something more sturdy, Hercules Stands are famous for being a very secure place for your instrument.
COMES WITH: A carry bag for convenience
PRICE LEVEL: Intermediate
Hercules Deluxe Flute/Clarinet Stand
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Soft, velvet fabric to protect your flute
- Can also be used for a clarinet
- Folds up into carry bag
- Quite heavy!
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Music Stand
INCLUDES: Light | Carry Case | Sheet Music Clip
FEATURES: A carrying bag and a sheet music folder
Cahaya Portable Music Stand
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Amazing complete kit
- Has everything you need
- Strong, yet transportable
- None!
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
A music stand is so important for all musicians for practice at home as this means you can play with the best possible posture. If you have your music balanced on a table or a chair then it is likely you will end up looking down instead of straight ahead. This will affect your sound and your breathing.
Luckily music stands are very affordable so there is no excuse to not have one. You can get a wide range of colours and styles.
Once you’ve bought your stand make sure you have it at the correct height. Your teacher can help you with this if you’re unsure.
How to tune your flute
Nobody likes an out of tune flute, so you should learn how to tune up correctly for everyone’s sake.
Most ensembles tune to an “A”, so play this note and listen carefully against a piano, oboe or electronic tuner.
You adjust your headjoint to find your tuning. Pulling the headjoint out a centimetre or so will make the flute flatter as the instrument becomes longer – so do this if your tuner or your teacher says you are sharp.
If you are flat then push your headjoint in a bit. If you can’t push in anymore then try blowing air down your instrument. Your instrument might just be a little cold so warm it up with your air and then try again.
If you are finding it hard to play in tune then check your embouchure hole position on your lip. Your lip plate should sit right in the middle of your bottom lip with the hole in the headjoint pointing up to the ceiling.
It might take a bit of experimenting to find the perfect spot as tiny adjustments can make a big difference to your sound.
Flute for beginners
Summary
We hope this guide to flute for beginners has been helpful, and given you a real insight into this wonderful instrument.
Flutes are a budget friendly woodwind instrument and a great instrument for children to learn. You can make a lovely, soft sound and can play scales with ease. What are you waiting for? Start playing the flute today!
Nina Barwell
Young flautists need a good teacher, since it is so easy to learn bad habits. No flautists make progress without daily practice. It is so much fun to learn to get a good tone and good technique because this opens doors to play in many groups. To become inspired, young players should listen to recordings of great flautists.
Beginning with the Flute was an adventure but I can finally say that I am good enough to play a few notes! Extremely proud!
Well done Maxine. Keep up the good work!