10 classical pieces for learning the flute
Are you starting to play the flute? In this article, explore our selection of 10 superb classical pieces for learning the flute. Each piece has been specially arranged by us for beginner flutists.
In the Tomplay app, you'll find all the sheet music accompanied by a professional audio recording you will be able to use as a guide. Happy reading!
If you look to learn the Flute notes, try our Flute fingering chart tool.
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1. Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake
▶️ Play Swan Lake at beginner level with orchestra
We have chosen to introduce you to a 'must' to start with: Swan Lake is, without doubt, one of the most well-known ballets in the history of music. Both dramatic and bewitching, Tchaikovsky's music still resonates in our ears 150 years since its creation.
In a medium and low register, this piece gets you used to listening to the orchestra and accompanies the first steps towards nuance and dynamics.
Explore the Tomplay sheet music of Swan Lake arranged for beginner level for the flute, with an orchestral accompaniment synchronized with the score.
2. Mozart - Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
▶️ Play "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" in a trio at beginner level
A popular nursery rhyme, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" dates back to the 18th century. Even if he did not compose the melody, Mozart was responsible for popularising this piece through the publication of his 12 variations of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" for the piano in 1785.
A melody everyone knows! Thanks to its simple writing, it allows you to work on anticipating notes/fingering, which is very important for young musicians.
Explore the Tomplay sheet music of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" arranged for beginner level for a flute trio and play the Flute 1, 2, or 3 part accompanied by the high-quality recording of the rest of the trio.
3. Charpentier - Te Deum, H. 146 - Prelude
▶️ Play the Te Deum at beginner level with orchestra
Played for the first time in 1699, Charpentier's Te Deum has always been a symbol of joy. It has been played during celebrations or victories since the Middle Ages and remains one of the most famous classical works.
The work is even more well known for its prelude, the first eight bars of which are used as the introduction to the Eurovision Song Contest.
This piece will reinforce varying notions of rhythm and works on managing slurred notes.
Explore the Tomplay sheet music of the Te Deum arranged for beginner level for the flute with an orchestral accompaniment synchronized with the sheet music.
4. Mozart - Requiem in D minor, K. 626 - Lacrimosa
▶️ Play the Lacrimosa from Mozart's Requiem at beginner level with orchestra
The famous Requiem was Mozart's last work, composed in 1791. Unfortunately, he didn't have time to finish his masterpiece and died during its writing. The manuscript written in the composer's own hand finishes at the eighth bar of the famous Lacrimosa.
His Requiem has become legendary owing to its history and above all through the sober, solemn, and transcendent beauty of the work.
This piece will introduce you to a 12/8 beat with a beautiful, slow melody and sensitive harmonies specific to Mozart!
Explore the Tomplay sheet music of the Lacrimosa from Mozart's Requiem arranged at the beginner level for the flute with an orchestral accompaniment synchronized with the sheet music.
5. Albinoni - Adagio
▶️ Play Albinoni's Adagio at a very easy level with orchestra
If we know the composer Albinoni at all, it is thanks to his famous Adagio. In reality, however, it would appear that it was composed by Remo Giazotto! As the majority of Albinoni's work had been destroyed, Giazotto composed this Adagio from a fragment of a lost sonata.
Written in triple time, this piece offers two possible registers with the same melody: medium or low. It's up to you!
Explore the Tomplay sheet music of Albinoni's Adagio arranged at a very easy level for the flute with an orchestral accompaniment synchronized with the sheet music.
6. Gounod - Ave Maria
▶️ Play Ave Maria by Gounod at a very easy level with a piano accompaniment
This famous Ave Maria by Gounod is among many prayers to the Virgin Mary known in the world. It originates from a piano improvisation on the first Prelude from the Well-Tempered Clavier by Bach. The first version of the work was called Meditation, then took the name Ave Maria when it was adapted for the voice in 1859.
Here, you have a simplified version of this well-known aria, which requires anticipation and good use of rests. These long phrases with held notes also train you to feel the pulsing beat of the rhythm inside you.
Explore the Tomplay sheet music of Ave Maria by Gounod arranged at a very easy level for the flute with a professional piano accompaniment recorded by us.
7. The Skye Boat Song
▶️ Play "The Skye Boat Song" at very easy level with a piano accompaniment
"The Skye Boat Song" is a Scottish folk song from the 19th century. The title refers to the flight of Bonnie Prince Charlie on board a small boat following the defeat of his Jacobite uprising in 1746.
It has become even more popular having been chosen as the theme song for the famous television series Outlander.
This piece offers the opportunity to consolidate the rhythm of the dotted quarter notes and eighth notes with a beautiful Scottish melody.
Explore the Tomplay sheet music of "The Skye Boat Song" arranged at very easy level for the flute with a professional piano accompaniment recorded by us.
8. Handel - Serse - Overture: Ombra Mai Fu
▶️ Play Serse - Overture: Ombra Mai Fu at very easy level with orchestra
An unmissable composer from the baroque period, Handel composed a multitude of operas, including Serse, created in 1738. In the famous aria "Ombra mai fu", the main character Serse, originally performed by a castrato performer, sings of his love to a tree.
This piece brings together all the important elements: breathing technique, rhythms and slurred notes, all in a slow, gentle tempo.
Explore the Tomplay sheet music of "Ombra Mai Fu" from Handel's Serse arranged at very easy level for the flute with an orchestral accompaniment synchronised with the sheet music.
9. Beethoven - Symphony No. 9, Opus 125 - IV. Finale: Ode to Joy
▶️ Play the Ode to Joy at very easy level as a trio
If you could only name one work by Beethoven, it would doubtless be this one: the last movement of his ninth and last Symphony, entitled "Ode to Joy", with reference to the poem by Schiller on which it is based.
Celebrating the unity and fraternity of humankind, the Ode to Joy has become the official hymn of the European Union.
If you want to improve the fluidity of your reading high notes step-by-step, the melody of the "Ode to Joy" is your best choice!
Explore the Tomplay sheet music of Beethoven's Ode to Joy arranged at very easy level for a flute trio and play the Flute 1, 2 or 3 part accompanied by the high-quality recording of the rest of the trio.
10. Bizet - Carmen - Habanera
▶️ Play the Habanera at very easy level with orchestra
To finish this article, let's talk about the opera Carmen by Bizet, probably the composer's most well-known opera.
Written in 1875, it includes many very well-known arias, including the Habanera. This is the only theme directly lifted from the Spanish repertoire.
Indeed, the singer for whom the role of Carmen was written asked him to re-write her grand entry aria many times. Having run out of inspiration after the thirteenth re-writing, Bizet used El Arriglito, a theme from a collection of Spanish songs from 1864.
This piece offers a little challenge with its altered notes (sharp, flat and natural). You can do it!
Explore the Tomplay sheet music of the Habanera from Carmen by Bizet arranged at very easy level for the flute with an orchestral accompaniment synchronised with the sheet music.
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