How to Play the Flute: Everything You Need to Know to Play the Flute

I had always wanted to play the flute since I was forced to play clarinet throughout middle school band. Eventually, I purchased a flute and taught myself to play based on the instruction the flute players got in class. Years later, I decided I wanted to get back into playing music again and needed a refresher course on the flute. I wish I had this book the first time I wanted to teach myself the flute! The book goes far beyond some simple tips, charts for where to put your fingers for each note, and songs to play. There is in depth advice on how to hold the instrument, how to breathe, how to achieve the best tone, when to use alternate fingerings, and much more! I am so impressed by this book. There are plenty of practice songs too and better songs than I've found in most of these kinds of books. I enjoy listening to myself play them! The best thing about the pieces is that most are designed to teach something (such as a new note, a new key signature, a new time, etc.) and since they are actually nice songs it's much more fun to practice and learn. Even though I had previous musical experience and could already read music and knew a little about the flute, I think that I could have taught myself using this book. I used to have difficulty hitting higher notes too and this book had really helped me. The quality of my playing, especially my tone, has improved greatly and even though I can play much more advanced pieces now I still come back to this book to review and practice. This book would be a great resource for a new player in a band or music program or taking lessons as well as someone who is self-taught. All teach yourself to play books should be like this one.

I had learned to play the flute in grade school, but had not played in about twenty years. This book has an excellent layout of the basics, with charts and helpful hints, as well as music in increasing levels of difficulty. A reasonably priced guide (worth more than the list price, in my opinion), whether you are a beginner or looking for a refresher course.

I started playing flute in 6th Grade, and I'm 42 now. I didn't think there was much to know about the flute, but there is! I was surprised to find the history of the flute interesting, and there was a few things about care of the flute I didn't know. Plus, the exercises have really helped me. I just play the flute for fun, but I really love this book.

I got this book because of the great reviews and I wasn't disappointed. I can't believe I'm actually playing the flute! I think it's a great beginners book which moves at the right pace and has a good solid introduction. It took me about 3 weeks to reach the end of the book and play 95% of the pieces most of which are popular so you'll know if you're playing wrong or not.. There are pieces like "Greensleeves" (my fave), "Swan Lake", a lot of classical pieces whose melodies I knew already but not their titles.I'm now trying to look for a second book to continue with.

Absolutely perfect! Had I been able to browse through the book in a conventional bookstore, I still would have chosen this book. It has illustrations and diagrams to show fingering, how to hold the instrument, how to blow into it, everything for the beginner. The second best thing in lieu of a good teacher.