beginner Flute

Step 1

While watching the following videos with a parent, try to complete each step with each video. Remember it is okay to pause the video while you try each step. Parents: You can help by watching to see if they are trying everything correctly and being careful during the assembly so that nothing gets bent or broken. The HARDEST part is getting the first sound, then making a 'good' sound, and then getting it to happen consistently.

Step 2 Mini Flute

Since flute is one of the more difficult instruments to start playing (NOT hardest to play, just harder to start. All instruments are difficult and easy at certain stages), I have created a different starting point instead of starting with the full flute & the Essential elements book. The starting point I have created is called the "Mini Flute" and only uses the head joint and foot joint of the flute. 

Here is a link to my "Mini-Flute" packet for students starting to play the flute: "Mini-Flute" Packet. Click on the link and print out if you do not already have the "Welcome to Band" packet. Read the first pages, and then try it with the videos above and use the play-along music tracks below (click on song name to open a new window and play the music file).

Step 3 How to assemble, place your fingers, and hold the flute

Print out the fingering chart below as a reference. Then watch the "How to assemble your flute" video and put your flute together carefully and properly with the video. Next watch the "How to hold your flute" video and place your fingers in the proper locations and try to hold the flute correctly like in the video.

Step 5 "Let's Play The Flute"

After you can quickly place your fingers where they belong (without struggling) and hold the flute correctly, then you are ready to start playing the "real" flute. Once again, due to the difficulty in starting to play the flute, I have put together a packet called  "Time for the Whole Flute" that bridges the gap between the Mini-Flute packet and playing songs in the Essential Elements book. 

Click Here to go to my "Time for the Whole Flute" packet to print out if you do not have a copy of it. Then try playing the songs with the play-along tracks below (click on song name to open a new window and play the music file).

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS BOOK

After you have successfully completed both the "Mini Flute" sheet and the "Let's Play the Flute" packet, then you  are ready to move on to the Essential Elements book and EEi website. Follow the steps below to get started.

Step 1:

If you have not done so already, head over to my EEI page with instructions for getting signed in to Essential Elements Interactive (EEi). EEi is an amazing resource that's included as part of the Essential Elements book, which you've already purchased - so there is NO additional cost. Once you've gotten signed into EEi, head back here for Step 2.

Step 2:

Open your Essential Elements book to pages 4 & 5 and try songs #1-10 on those pages. Use the features in the "Music Studio" section of EEi to hear a professional musician play them first. You can then also play along with various accompaniment backgrounds for each song. Have fun with it!