Free Flute Sheet Music

Tune of the Day: The Flower Duet

This is one of those tunes that everybody knows, though very few know its name. It is taken from a Romantic opera by Léo Delibes, composed in the 1880s. Included in the work entitled Lakmé, the “flower duet” still fascinates listeners by the intensity of emotion it triggers. This is the reason for which it has been included in so many advertisements (particularly for British Airways) and movie soundtracks, not to mention its over-use by television shows.

There are a couple of things which might trouble you when trying to play this piece. The most noticeable one is perhaps its key, which demands the use of five sharp notes. The other one is its syncopated rhythm, with rests on most of the downbeats. But don't be afraid, you really just need to think of the musicality of the piece.

Tune of the Day: Por una cabeza

This famous tango song was composed in 1935 by French-born Argentine singer Carlos Gardel. The title is a Spanish horse-racing phrase meaning “by a head”, which refers to a horse winning (or losing) a race narrowly – by just the length of its head. The lyrics, written by journalist Alfredo Le Pera, speak of a compulsive horse-track gambler who compares his addiction for horses with his attraction to women.

The tune has been featured in numerous films, including Scent of a Woman (1992), Schindler's List (1993), and True Lies (1994).

Thanks to Jenna for suggesting this piece!

Tune of the Day: O'Gallagher's Frolics

This jig is taken from Francis O'Neill's celebrated collection Music or Ireland, published in Chicago in 1903. The melody, set in major mode, predates O'Neill's publication by twenty years, appearing in Ryan's Mammoth Collection (1883) as “Golliher's Frolic”. It is possible O'Neill altered the title to honor piper Charles O'Gallagher, a member, like O'Neill, of Chicago's Irish Music Club at the turn of the 20th century.

Tune of the Day: Study No. 5 by Köhler

Here is another étude from the first book of Ernesto Köhler's Progress in Flute Playing. It is a very melodious cut-time Allegretto in G major.

Tune of the Day: Fugue by Mattheson

This is the second movement of a sonata for 3 flutes in G minor by the German Baroque composer and music theorist Johann Mattheson. It was published in Amsterdam in 1708.

Tune of the Day: Promenade

This is the first movement, and the unifying device, of the famous suite for piano Pictures at an Exhibition. It has also become known through various orchestrations and arrangements, with Ravel's arrangement being the most recorded and performed.

According to critic Vladimir Stasov, in this piece Mussorgsky depicts himself roving through a picture exhibition, now leisurely, now briskly in order to come close to a picture that had attracted his attention, and at times sadly, thinking of the recently departed painter, who was his friend.

The melody and rhythm resemble Russian folk songs: the piece has simple, strong rhythms in asymmetrical meter. It is to be noted that while the original meter of the movement was a rather uncommon 11/4, published editions usually alternate 5/4 and 6/4.

Tune of the Day: Bryan O'Lynn

The earliest appearance of this jig is found in Ryan's Mammoth Collection, published in Boston in 1883. It bears similarities to another Irish tune, “Guiry's Favorite”.