Practice pieces for beginner flutists. Recommended practice pieces.
When you think of the flute, you think of a shiny, beautiful woodwind instrument with a gentle tone—one that plays a major role in orchestras, concert bands, and ensembles.
If you’re reading this, you might be a new student who joined the school band and was assigned the flute, or an adult considering the flute as a new hobby.
However, when you actually try to play, you’ll likely find it’s harder than you imagined.
This time, for those just starting to handle the instrument, I’ll introduce some easy songs you can play on the flute and recommended practice pieces.
These are all standard tunes that cover the basics, so please give them a try!
Practice pieces for beginner flutists. Recommended practice pieces (1–10)
Greeting of Love, Salut d’AmourEdward Elgar
This is the famous piece Salut d’Amour by the British composer Edward Elgar, renowned for Pomp and Circumstance.
Composed in 1888 as an engagement gift for Caroline Alice Roberts, it exists in various arrangements; while it’s best known on violin, it also makes a lovely flute study.
By playing the well-known phrase from the first half of the piece with a stable tone, you can improve your flute skills.
The original is in E major with four sharps, but try practicing it in D major with two sharps—like the violin version—and once you’ve leveled up, challenge yourself with the original key.
My WayNancy Sinatra Frank Sinatra
Why not try an American classic on the flute? This piece is by American singer Frank Sinatra, with the original song being a French-language hit from 1967 by Claude François.
Canadian singer Paul Anka wrote new English lyrics for the French song, and it became this famous version when Sinatra performed it.
If you listen to the track, you can hear the flute tone in the accompaniment! When practicing the vocal lines, keep the singer’s image in mind.
While the flute is often associated with a high register, its low register is also very appealing—and mastering it is wonderful! Let’s work on the low register as well.
BoyhoodInoue Yosui
Let’s try playing songs by Yosui Inoue, a Japanese singer-songwriter, on the flute.
Yosui Inoue’s “Shonen Jidai” is a very simple piece and well-suited for flute practice.
Even without adding any arrangement, if you play it with a stable tone, you can make it a compelling performance.
One of its appeals is that within a single piece you can practice the low-to-middle register in the first half and the high register in the second half.
For songs with vocals like this, listen carefully to the lyrics and the singer’s phrasing, and once you can play the basics, try imitating the nuances of the singing.
It’s also a great choice for a flute recital.
Merry-Go-Round of LifeHisaishi Joe
Introducing “Merry-Go-Round of Life” from Studio Ghibli’s masterpiece Howl’s Moving Castle, created by Japan’s renowned animation studio.
This piece is popular in Japan and also very well-loved abroad—you often see performance videos on social media! It’s in 3/4 time, a waltz, so practice keeping a steady pulse.
If you can’t keep up with the tempo at first, start slowly and gradually increase the speed as you get comfortable.
Familiar tunes are easier to learn, help you get started with practice, and boost motivation! Ghibli pieces are always worth having under your fingers, so be sure to add them to your repertoire!
It’s a small worldRobert Bernard Sherman
This is the theme song of the attraction “It’s a Small World,” found in Disney parks around the world.
The tune is adorable and fits the flute perfectly! It’s a great practice piece for both solo and ensemble playing.
You can use it to work on melodic leaps, and if there are two or more players, you can enjoy call-and-response ensemble parts.
Even if both players are beginners, it’s not difficult and becomes fun to play with just a little practice.
Even at a slow tempo it can sound like a lullaby, and it’s a piece you can play slowly and make it sound nice when someone says, “Play something for us!”
When You Wish upon a StarLeigh Harline
This piece captivates with its beautiful melody and message of hope.
Born as the theme song for the 1940 film Pinocchio, it quickly became an iconic Disney tune.
Covered by many artists, it’s a popular song also used in the Disney logo and theme parks.
It’s great for beginner flutists too: with its relaxed tempo and lovely melodic line, it’s perfect for honing basic playing techniques.
The lyrics, which give you the courage to pursue your dreams, are also deeply moving.
It’s a must-play not only for Disney fans but also for anyone seeking soothing music.
Mickey Mouse MarchJimmie Dodd
This is the theme song of the Mickey Mouse Club, representing Disney, a favorite for everyone.
How about playing this globally beloved Mickey tune on the flute? There are various arrangements, but the original melody is quite simple.
If you look at the range, it’s made up of just six notes—G A B C D E—covering less than an octave.
Come to think of it, since it’s sung by both children and adults, a wide range can be hard to sing, and for a song to be sung worldwide, a narrow range that anyone can manage is probably best.
With a little practice, you can play it on the flute with ease.
If you’re up for a challenge, you could use it as a scale exercise and play it in every key! Mastering all keys would be amazing.
Let’s enjoy a Disney mood on the flute.