Duration of the online course: 3 hours and 40 minutes
New
Play your first flute songs with confidence in this free online course—learn posture, breath, fingerings, and reading notes, plus practice-friendly tutorials.
In this free course, learn about
How to safely open, handle, and assemble a flute (case, joints, correct alignment)
Proper wind-instrument posture and breathing basics (incl. sizzle airflow exercise)
How to form a flute embouchure and make a first sound using the headjoint
Correct flute hold and the 4 balance points to avoid dropping the instrument
Using a fingering chart to learn notes and map staff notes to fingerings
Fingerings and reading for beginner notes: D, Eb, C, B, A, G, F, Bb (and F# intro)
Common beginner transitions and challenges, like moving between D and C cleanly
Basics of rhythm reading: whole notes, dotted rhythms, and repeat/section markers
Reading accidentals: what flat symbols mean and how they change the note played
Playing simple songs with these notes (Hot Cross Buns, Minor Buns, Ode to Joy, etc.)
How beginner arrangements are structured into parts/phrases (e.g., Uptown Funk, Star Wars)
How to sing and play flute simultaneously and how to create sound while singing
Course Description
Starting the flute can feel intimidating: so many keys, a new way to breathe, and that first clear tone that seems to disappear as quickly as it arrives. This free online course is designed to take you from total beginner to confident early playing with a calm, step-by-step approach that helps you build real habits from day one. You will learn how to handle and assemble the instrument safely, set your body up for comfort, and create a consistent sound without forcing or guessing.
Instead of rushing into complicated material, you will focus on the foundations that make everything else easier: posture, breathing support, and a workable embouchure that produces a stable tone. You will also develop reliable hand position and balance, so the flute feels secure and you can move between notes without tension. Along the way, you will connect what your fingers do to what you see on the music staff, using fingering charts as a practical tool to learn new notes and avoid common beginner mistakes.
As your note range grows, you will apply each new skill in musical context through approachable, recognizable melodies and short exercises that keep practice fun. These play-along style tutorials help you turn isolated fingerings into real music, while reinforcing timing, note values, and basic reading fluency. You will also get guidance on details beginners often struggle with, such as smooth transitions between notes, holding long tones steadily, and staying relaxed while keeping the flute balanced.
By the end, you will be able to put your instrument together correctly, produce clear notes, read and play a growing set of pitches, and perform simple songs with better tone and control. Whether you are learning for school band, returning to music after a break, or simply trying a new instrument for enjoyment, this course gives you a supportive path to meaningful progress and the confidence to keep going.
Course content
Video class: Beginner Flute Lesson 1 - Opening the Case02m
Exercise: What is the first step when preparing to open your flute case?
Video class: Beginner Lesson - Posture, Breathing, Sizzle (for all Wind Instruments)03m
Exercise: What is the first step for proper posture when playing a wind instrument?
Video class: Beginner Flute Lesson 2 - How to Make a Sound! (embouchure, band face, head joint)06m
Exercise: What is the correct way to form an embouchure when playing the flute?
Video class: Beginner Flute Lesson 3 - How to Put the Flute Together03m
Exercise: What is the correct alignment of the foot joint in relation to the body of the flute when assembling it?
Video class: Beginner Flute Lesson 4 - How to Hold the Flute04m
Exercise: What is the term used to describe the specific spot on the flute for each finger, which should not be changed while playing?
Video class: Flute - How to Learn New Notes with a Fingering Chart03m
Exercise: What is the primary purpose of a fingering chart when learning to play the flute?
Exercise: What is the purpose of a fingering chart when learning to play the flute?
Video class: Beginner Flute Lesson 5 - First Note! D04m
Exercise: What does the fingering chart indicate when learning to play the flute?
Video class: Beginner Flute Lesson 6 - New Note (Eb)03m
Exercise: What is the correct way to play an E flat on the flute according to the lesson?
Video class: Flute - How to Play B-A-G and HOT CROSS BUNS (Beginner Lesson)06m
Exercise: What are the three initial notes of Hot Cross Buns for beginner flute players?
Video class: Beginner Flute Lesson 7 - How to Play C03m
Exercise: What are the main balance points to consider when playing the note C on the flute?
Video class: How to NOT DROP Your Flute!!! The 4 Balance Points02m
Exercise: When playing the note C on the flute, which of the following is not used as a balance point?
Video class: The D-C Challenge! Flute Beginner Tutorial03m
Exercise: What is one of the most challenging transitions for beginner flute players?
Video class: Flute - How to Play F (with Free App fingercharts.com)03m
Exercise: What key configuration should you use on the flute to play the note F as described in the lesson?
Video class: Flute: Hot Cross Buns (Key of B-flat) Tutorial03m
Exercise: Which combination of notes forms the first phrase of 'Hot Cross Buns' on the flute?
Video class: Hot Cross Buns Flute Tutorial03m
Exercise: When learning to play Hot Cross Buns on the flute, what does a whole note require you to do?
Video class: How to Play D on Flute00m
Exercise: Which keys should you press on a flute to play the note D on the fourth line of the staff?
Exercise: Which keys on a flute should you press to play the note D on the fourth line of the staff?
Video class: FLUTE: Ode to Joy (Beethoven) Tutorial06m
Exercise: In the context of learning 'Ode to Joy' on the flute, what musical concept is demonstrated by a 'quarter note with a dot next to it'?
Video class: How to Play E flat on Flute01m
Exercise: When reading sheet music for the flute, if a note is in the fourth space of the staff with a flat symbol in front of it, what note should be played?
Exercise: What does the flat symbol indicate when placed before a note on the staff?
Video class: How to Play B flat on Flute01m
Exercise: Which of the following is the correct fingering for playing the note B flat on the flute?
Exercise: What is the fingering for playing the note B flat on the flute?
Video class: How to Play C on Flute01m
Exercise: Which keys need to be pressed down in order to play the note C in the third space of the staff on the flute?
Exercise: When playing the note C on the flute, as taught in this lesson, which keys do you press down?
Video class: How to Play G on Flute00m
Exercise: Where is the middle G located when playing the flute?
Exercise: Where is the middle G note located on the music staff for flute players according to the fingering chart described?
Video class: How to Play F on Flute00m
Exercise: How is the note F played on the flute according to the fingering described for the middle F?
Exercise: In flute playing, which line or space on the staff corresponds to the middle F note?
Video class: MINOR BUNS on Flute | Beginner Tutorial08m
Exercise: What is the primary note adjustment in the 'minor buns' tune compared to the 'hot cross buns'?
Exercise: What is the significance of the flat symbol when reading sheet music for the flute?
Video class: Easy 2-note Flute Song! LET'S GO CHEER #105m
Exercise: In flute playing, which of the following describes the correct finger positioning for playing the note 'D'?
Exercise: When playing the note F on the flute, which keys should your fingers press?
Video class: EASY 2-Note Flute Beginner Song: Let's Go Cheer #203m
Exercise: In the 'Let's Go Cheer Number Two,' which notes are played on the flute?
Exercise: What are the two notes used in the 'Let's Go Cheer Number Two' song for the flute?
Video class: Another One Bites the Dust | EASY FLUTE TUTORIAL06m
Exercise: What is the primary difference between the easier and more challenging versions of 'Another One Bites the Dust' for beginners on the flute?
Exercise: Which technique is used to maintain balance while playing the flute according to the 'Another One Bites the Dust' beginner lesson?
Video class: BLUEY THEME for flute! (EASY) #flute #flutesong00m
Exercise: What is the primary technique that beginners should focus on when learning to play the flute?
Exercise: What is typically the first note taught to beginners learning the flute?
Video class: BLUEY THEME for flute | Original Key00m
Exercise: Which of the following instruments is known for having a high-pitched sound and is typically part of an orchestra's woodwind section?
Exercise: What is a common material used to make beginner flutes?
Video class: Flute - How to Learn New Notes with a Fingering Chart03m
Exercise: What is the primary purpose of a fingering chart when learning to play the flute?
Exercise: What is the purpose of a fingering chart when learning to play the flute?
Video class: How to Play B flat on Flute01m
Exercise: Which of the following is the correct fingering for playing the note B flat on the flute?
Exercise: What is the fingering for playing the note B flat on the flute?
Video class: How to Play C on Flute01m
Exercise: Which keys need to be pressed down in order to play the note C in the third space of the staff on the flute?
Exercise: When playing the note C on the flute, as taught in this lesson, which keys do you press down?
Video class: How to Play D on Flute00m
Exercise: Which keys should you press on a flute to play the note D on the fourth line of the staff?
Exercise: Which keys on a flute should you press to play the note D on the fourth line of the staff?
Video class: How to Play E flat on Flute01m
Exercise: When reading sheet music for the flute, if a note is in the fourth space of the staff with a flat symbol in front of it, what note should be played?
Exercise: What does the flat symbol indicate when placed before a note on the staff?
Video class: How to Play F on Flute00m
Exercise: How is the note F played on the flute according to the fingering described for the middle F?
Exercise: In flute playing, which line or space on the staff corresponds to the middle F note?
Video class: How to Play G on Flute00m
Exercise: Where is the middle G located when playing the flute?
Exercise: Where is the middle G note located on the music staff for flute players according to the fingering chart described?
Video class: Flute - How to Play Let it Go from FROZEN07m
Exercise: What is the starting note when playing the chorus of 'Let It Go' from the movie Frozen on the flute, using the F major scale?
Video class: Flute - How to Play Happy by Pharrell Williams08m
Video class: FROZEN - Do You Want to Build a Snowman? - for Flute04m
Exercise: Which set of notes is part of the E flat major scale as mentioned in the lesson for playing 'Do You Want to Build a Snowman'?
Video class: Stay With Me (Sam Smith) for Flute03m
Video class: Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars) for FLUTE07m
Exercise: In learning the flute for beginners through lesson arrangements, how is the song Uptown Funk structured in terms of parts and phrases?
Video class: FLUTE - See You Again (Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth)04m
Exercise: In the flute lesson for 'See You Again,' how many phrases are in Part A of the song?
Video class: How to Play WATCH ME (Whip/Nae Nae) on FLUTE08m
Video class: Star-Spangled Banner (arr. Mark Williams) FLUTE01m
Video class: Star Wars for FLUTE05m
Exercise: In the flute lesson, how is the main theme from Star Wars structured?
Video class: Jingle Bells - EASY Tutorial for Flute03m
Exercise: What does the thick black line with a number on top indicate in sheet music?
Video class: Flute Tutorial: How to Play Greensleeves (What Child is This)05m
Exercise: What key signature is the piece 'Greensleeves' written in according to the lesson?
Video class: 7 Years by Lukas Graham - FLUTE TUTORIAL06m
Exercise: What key is the song 'Seven Years' by Lukas Graham originally recorded in?
Video class: Cool! How to SING and PLAY the Flute at the Same Time!03m
Exercise: What is an important technique for creating sound when singing into the flute?
Video class: MINOR BUNS on Flute | Beginner Tutorial08m
Exercise: What is the primary note adjustment in the 'minor buns' tune compared to the 'hot cross buns'?
Exercise: What is the significance of the flat symbol when reading sheet music for the flute?
Video class: Easy 2-note Flute Song! LET'S GO CHEER #105m
Exercise: In flute playing, which of the following describes the correct finger positioning for playing the note 'D'?
Exercise: When playing the note F on the flute, which keys should your fingers press?
Video class: EASY 2-Note Flute Beginner Song: Let's Go Cheer #203m
Exercise: In the 'Let's Go Cheer Number Two,' which notes are played on the flute?
Exercise: What are the two notes used in the 'Let's Go Cheer Number Two' song for the flute?
Video class: Seven Nation Army on the Flute (Easy Tutorial)07m
Exercise: What is the correct way to play the note D on the flute according to the lesson?
Video class: HARRY POTTER on FLUTE! (Hedwig's Theme tutorial w/ Sheet Music)08m
Exercise: What is the correct fingering combination for playing an F sharp on the flute?
Video class: Another One Bites the Dust | EASY FLUTE TUTORIAL06m
Exercise: What is the primary difference between the easier and more challenging versions of 'Another One Bites the Dust' for beginners on the flute?
Exercise: Which technique is used to maintain balance while playing the flute according to the 'Another One Bites the Dust' beginner lesson?
Video class: BLUEY THEME for flute! (EASY) #flute #flutesong00m
Exercise: What is the primary technique that beginners should focus on when learning to play the flute?
Exercise: What is typically the first note taught to beginners learning the flute?
Video class: BLUEY THEME for flute | Original Key00m
Exercise: Which of the following instruments is known for having a high-pitched sound and is typically part of an orchestra's woodwind section?
Exercise: What is a common material used to make beginner flutes?
This free course includes:
3 hours and 40 minutes of online video course
Digital certificate of course completion (Free)
Exercises to train your knowledge
100% free, from content to certificate
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