First flute book?

[DreamADream]

DD's wanting to learn the flute, I'm going to teach her myself, but don't know what the best book to start with would be these days. Can anyone recommend one please? Thanks!

[Wafflenose]

I use about four, depending on the age of the child, and any previous musical experience. If you don't mind telling us a bit more, I will try to suggest the best one for your DD.

[DreamADream]

Thanks, she's 8 and has no previous musical experience bar the odd bit of piano I've tried to teach her. She did seem to pick that up quite quickly. I think the hardest bit is going to be making sure I stick to the set day/time for her "lessons"!

[Spottyladybird]

I've used Sally Adams Flute Basics in the past which is good.

[Ferguson]

Here are a few ideas:

www.blockiflute.com/NEW-Blocki-Flute-Method-Student-Book-1-5th-Edition_p_25.html

www.musicroom.com/se/id_no/012223/details.html

www.8notes.com/flute/

[Wafflenose]

I would use a combination of Abracadabra and Flute Basics. Flute Basics has a cool chapter using just the head joint, takes it slowly at first, but later goes too fast. Abracadabra uses tunes you know, right from the start, so is great fun, but skimps on the technical side. Together, they should be just right.

[DreamADream]

Thanks all. I was looking at abracadabra, I actually have a feeling there may be a copy floating around at grandma's house somewhere! Flute basics sounds like it would be good for my younger DD too, she could get a sound instantly, but the poor things too small and has inherited my short arms!

I can't even remember what I started out with, but then I was a hell of a lot older than her and could already play other instruments.

[Wafflenose]

My DD started at 6.5 on a curved head join, and looked very comfortable from the start. Many beginner flutes come with both head joints.

[DreamADream]

I'm just being tight and saving myself some money as I already have the flute haha! I'm not sure she's quite got the concentration yet that she needs, but will see how she gets on and maybe invest if she seems to be taking a proper interest. Keeping her at bay with the sodding recorder for now!

[MiddleAgeMiddleEngland]

Funky Flute has some good tunes in it, although some are boring. Many books move too fast so a selection of books so that you can pick and choose is good.

The best method may be to write tunes for your daughter, or get her to write tunes. She may also enjoy playing the melodies of songs she knows.

What's wrong with the recorder? Played properly it has a fantastic repertoire of its own and doesn't deserve to be maligned. It is possible to play recorder at conservatoire level and beyond, just as it is the flute.

It's worth remembering that the flute is a hugely over-subscribed instrument and that only the very best players tend to get places in youth orchestras.