Everything (so far) about Flute Etudes

 

I have learned that the best etudes are the ones that are the most melodiously attractive because we don't play them mechanically, but beautifully. There's also a lot to be said about suiting the level you're actually at and not straining your flute playing too far too fast.

It can get ugly and stressful if you have no air left and the leaps are too large, I know from hundreds of mistakes that I have made. :>) Jen (writing to the emailing flutist).

_______________________________

It was so interesting helping to locate the emailed mystery etude last week (which turned out to be Kohler's Virtuoso op.75) because it brought to light several features of self-teaching flute players:

- they can lack enough gorgeous etudes that a flutist can really fall in love with in their collection (and be playing off random photocopies with no composer's name nor opus number)

- they can, possibly accidentally, be playing Virtuoso Etudes when there may be more appropriate graded etudes that won't strain the embouchure over long practice sessions like some "work-outs" can (don't forget Andersen injured his tongue trying to out-do his imagined competition and ended his own career).

- they can possibly be just "playing through" a favourite page of an oft repeated etude for fun without making any daily technical improvements. Although we all want to have fun etudes to play, we also want to be improving each time.

So to be fairly sharing all that I know I went through my past blogposts and have linked all the best information about etudes that I've written to date, below. 

Enjoy! Many have links to free etudes.

And comment below if you have favourites to add (comments can take a few hours to appear as they are moderated to avoid spam).

Best and hope this helps get all the info. in one place,

 Jen

______________________

Jen's Articles on Flute Etudes

with links to many free ones and etude books to invest in over time.

Introduction to Flute Etudes

Graded flute exam syllabus that includes quality etudes by name and publisher (in pdf)

How to learn flute etudes

Jen's favourite etudes list (with links)

Beginner/Novice Etudes (a teacher asks)

Kummer op110 Etudes for Intermediates (with practice videos)

Intermediate/Advanced Topics:

Intermediate Etudes Collection from Australia (well worth it!)

Making etudes easier for yourself (de-monstering advanced etudes)

J.S. Bach works used as Etudes

Using Etudes for Sightreading

___________________end list so far 2025

Questions welcome!!!