How to Play the Flute

Presented by Sarah Noah

Learn how to play the flute in these free online video lessons, including basic techniques and tips for beginners on buying and caring for a flute, embouchure, scales and more.

Series Summary

A member of the woodwind family, the flute is a reedless instrument that plays music when air is blown over the opening or an edge. Early flutes were made of bone and date back 30,000 to 50,000 years in certain parts of the world. There are different types of flutes including piccolo, treble flute, concert flute, soprano flute, bass flute, hyperbass flute and contra-flutes. The concert flute is the most common flute and is played using the fingers to push down “keys” that let air escape from certain holes. Each combination of keys makes a certain note. These flutes all vary in octave, range and pitch. There are bamboo flutes and double flutes that are made using organic materials and played by covering holes with your fingers. In this series of videos, learn more about playing the flute from our expert. An experienced player, she first teaches you about buying and assembling your flute. You will also learn about the accessories needed for playing and caring for your flute. Learn scales easily by watching videos on the C scale and F scale. Tuning your flute is often necessary to get the right sound. Other common problems with flutes are addressed in this series as well. Get tips on private lessons and instructional books and learn how to play the flute!

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Where to Buy a Flute

Pick the right flute for a beginner and check out these tips for beginners on shopping for and buying a flute in this free video flute lesson.

Flute Hand Positioning

Study holding and playing notes on the flute and check out tips for beginners on the correct hand positioning for your flute in this free video flute lesson.

Breathing When Playing the Flute

Learn how to breathe and check out tips for beginners on the proper technique for breathing when playing flute in this free video flute lesson.

Assembling a Flute

Put your flute together smoothly and check out these tips for beginners on how to assemble your flute in simple easy steps in this free video flute lesson.

Playing an F Major Scale on the Flute

Learn scale exercises for the flute and basic techniques for beginners on how to play the F Major scale in this free video flute lesson.

Posture for Playing Flute

Proper posture saves flute players and check out tips for beginners on the proper posture for playing flute in this free video flute lesson.

Playing a C Major Scale on the Flute

Learn scale exercises for the flute and basic techniques for beginners on how to play the C scale in this free video flute lesson.

Flute Embouchure

Learn some helpful embouchure exercises and find techniques and tips for beginners on embouchure for playing flute in this free video flute lesson.

Flute Accessories

Accompany your flute with accessories and check out these tips for beginners on shopping for and buying flute accessories in this free video flute lesson.

Basic Care for the Flute

Flute maintenance is crucial and check out tips for beginners on taking care of your flute in this free video flute lesson.

Flute Mouth Techniques

Learn helpful mouthing exercises and find techniques and tips for beginners on how to implement slurring, tonguing, and vibrato into your flute playing in this free video flute lesson.

Buying a Beginner Flute

Pick the right flute for a beginner and check out these tips for shopping for and buying a flute for beginners in this free video flute lesson.

Private Lessons & Flute Books

Learn the benefits of private flute lessons and get tips for beginners on how private lessons and books can help improve flute playing in this free video flute lesson.

Tuning a Flute

Learn about tuning a flute takes skills and find out tips for beginners on how to tune your flute in simple easy steps in this free video flute lesson.

Common Problems with Flutes

Learn tips for beginners on how to overcome common problems with flutes in this free video flute lesson about troubleshooting problems for flutes.

Buying a Professional Flute

Professional flutes are very different from high school band class. Find out tips for shopping for and buying a professional flute in this free video flute lesson.

How to Play the Flute

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