Prelude: This page is dedicated to beginner flute players! 
The "Prelude to Flute" practice book is not quite complete yet, but several students have worked through the first 25 pages with great success.  Look for it to be digitally published soon.

A great flute experience starts with the flute HEADJOINT - master getting great sound on that first.  Continue to warmup with just the headjoint throughout your flute journey! 

My progression in teaching beginner players is:

1. Headjoint alone
2. Headjoint + Body with one-handed playing (right hand stabilizes by holding barrel)
3. Full flute - Repeat tunes putting right hand in a neutral position to simply focus on good hand position. 
4. Full flute playing with foundation set and ready to join the other band instruments. 

If you haven't yet decided to play the flute, watch this video to learn about the flute family! ​

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Part 1:
​   Headjoint Alone

video: Clean your flute

VIDEO TUTORIALS:

First Flute Sounds

• Parts of the headjoint
• Finger Frowns
• Pooh bear
• Brush and Pout vs. Kiss and Roll

Weight Lifting
Rock and Roll
Slide Whistle
Palm Stoppers
​Alarm

CURVED HEADJOINTS
Does holding the flute feel like a long reach?  Consider a curved headjoint until your arms and fingers grow a bit more. 
​This curved headjoint is $29 on Amazon.  It works well in my experience.  It's likely a little loose for your flute - then you can just add a bit of tape to tighten the fit (it's temporary, after all). 

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Part 2:
​   Left hand only

Right hand holds barrel.
Left hand on keys.
​Playing notes G, A, B, C.

VIDEO TUTORIALS: 

Technique: Scale Pattern GAB
Tune: Hot Cross Buns
Tune: Cardiff by the Sea
Tune: Au Claire de la Lune
Tune: Down by the Station
Technique: 4-note Scale Pattern GABC
Tune: Juba
Tune: Rigaudon
Tune: Bransle
Tune: Folk Tune

Struggling with air direction, centering tone, or playing low and high notes?  The Pneumo Pro is an excellent tool to help visualize air for $40 on Amazon.

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Part 3:
​   The right hand

VIDEO TUTORIALS:

Right Hand Position
​Interval Practice: D-C
Technique: 5-Note Scale Pattern in G (GABCD)
Tune: Rolling Along 
Tune: Stille, Stille
Tune: Gavotte

Part 4:
​   Thumb Bb

VIDEO TUTORIALS:

Technique: 3-Note Scale Pattern g-minor
Tune: Rainy Day Tune
Technique: 5-Note Scale Pattern g-minor
Concept: Key Signatures
Tune: Evening Walk 
Tune: Welsh Folk Tune
Tune: Swedish Folk Tune
Technique: 5-Note Scale Pattern F-major
​Tune: Savior of the Nations, Come!