Flute Repertoire Pt 1
by Cristy Cox
Flute Repertoire Pt 1
Flute for Beginners –
Including the tutor books listed above-
1. Abracadabra Flute- Malcolm Pollock- published by A & C Black London
2. The Andrew Scott Flute Method Book 1- published by Masterpiece Music
3. Boosey Woodwind Method Flute Book 1- published by Boosey and Hawkes
Plus-
4. Essential Elements- Hal Leonard 1999
This is a great band book, and is part of a series for all instruments- often if a school is wanting students to be involved in a band or ensemble they will choose this book as then all students are learning the same pieces that can then translate easily into a band situation. The only problem is for flutes they are very difficult. Our version starts off on a D, a rather complicated finger position as it involves remembering the places for seven fingers, and next a C, which only requires two fingers and the change between the two notes is one of the hardest they will ever have to learn on the flute. Most other tutor books begin on B, A and G, which have easy fingers to remember.
5. Off to a Great Start- Mark Walton- Australian Wind Music Publications, 1997
I used this book most commonly before discovering the Abracadabra books. The layout and diagrams are appealing, large and easy to read. Now I find it moves a little slow in the beginning and sometimes does not have enough variety of songs.
6. Flute Finesse- Pauline Chang- Diva Publications 2003
Pauline Chang’s 12 pieces in this book are all original, lovely and interesting. The first few are easy and complement a tutor book, and they start getting trickier as they progress. They are all named a word that starts with ‘f’ and then flute, eg Flexible Flute or Fretful Flute, which is appealing to students. I love number 6- Fanciful Flute- for teaching dotted crotchets, number 8- Flouncing Flute- for its 6/8 time signature, and number 9 for its use of a quaver rest at the beginning of a bar.
Intermediate-
7. 66 Great Tunes- Mark Walton- Australian Wind Music Publications
A vast collection of pieces in this book, from classical to jazz, and most of them just a straight-forward easy version of many well-known pieces. Good to use for exams and competitions, but also just to work through one at a time. Has an optional piano book.
8. Solo Pieces for the Beginning Flautist- Mizzy McCaskill and Dona Gillian- Mel Bay 2003
This is a great introduction into classical pieces, includes all the standards that are essential for students to learn, they’re easy to read, and spaced out well in larger print. I find students mostly like this book, and it’s a nice intermediate between a tutor book and some of the following books listed in the advanced section.
9. Disney Solos for Flute- Hal Leonard Corporation
Students love this book. The CD backing is excellent, and very inviting to play along with. Although it is fast, and students need a fair degree of technical ability for some quite fast songs and passages, and includes key signatures up to four flats and sharps. Mostly grade 4 standard. A good complementary book, probably not enough to be used on its own.
10. Film Favourites- Hal Leonard Corporation 2004
Similar to Disney Solos, this has songs that students know and like to play. Some pieces are around a grade 2 standard, but mostly grade 3. It also comes as a series for all instruments, and has a solo version and band arrangement of each piece, so it’s ideal to use in group lessons with other instruments.