The Best Age for Learning the Flute

Home Β» The Best Age for Learning the Flute
The Best Age for Learning the Flute

 

The best age for learning the flute is: (drum roll…..)

Almost any age!

 

I began my middle son when he was only 2 years old. Β He cried and begged every day for me to “poot” with him. Β (poot meant flute) Β He was jealous of the time I was spending with his 5 year old brother while practicing. Β So, I did it. Β I purchased a plastic baroque recorder and we began lessons right away. Β The first lessons were all about holding still while I counted to 10. Β We laughed and high-fived every time he could do it.

(I should finish this story with: fast-forward 18 years, and he is an amaaazing musician, and still loves to play the β€˜poot’).

A few years ago worked with a 78 year old student who learned to play beautifully. Β He was so kind and generous. He understood the benefits of learning to play an instrument in his life. After-all, cognitive function enhances and memory retention are enhanced greatly with music study. His beautiful heart was demonstrated through his music. I could hear it and feel it.

Interestingly enough, he kept telling me that he had always wanted to learn to play the flute. Β He told me he wanted to learn well before he couldn’t handle a flute anymore. Β This sparked the teacher in me, and we worked together with much enthusiasm weekly. This is definitely a bucket-list item for many.

I once had a 78 year old student who learned to play beautifully. Β He was so kind and generous. Β Interestingly enough, he kept telling me that he had always wanted to learn to play the flute. Β He told me he wanted to learn well before he died. Β After only 2 years of lessons, he had a heart-attack and did indeed pass away.

I learned a lot of things from this kind man. Β He had so much happiness and joy in him when he came to his lessons. Β It sure was fun to be part of a life-long dream.

Have any neat stories?

Have any questions? Comment below and I will help you out.

Rebecca FullerRebecca Fuller
Get Flutie with us! Learn and enjoy every musical minute.

109 thoughts on “The Best Age for Learning the Flute”

  1. My name is Pamela but my friends call me PJ. I am 67 soon to be 68 yrs young. I have wanted to play the flute since the 5th grade when a band teacher insisted I could not and forced me to play a clarinet which I hated. My parents made me take piano for 17 years thereafter. I told my husband I have 2 things I wish to do…….learn to play a flute and learn to play a harp. So he said……GO AHEAD. πŸ™‚ I just completed the first silver module and look forward to learning. It all seems to be fun to me. I just got a brand new Yamaha flute and can make noise so I guess I am on my way! πŸ™‚

    1. Rebecca Fuller

      Pamela, I am so proud of you for making your dreams happen. Welcome to Learn Flute Online! There are many students here just like you who are learning the flute for the first time later in life. So you are not alone. Keep up the good work! -Rebecca

  2. Hello Rebecca! I just started your Silver lessons and will move on to the Gold when I complete them. I played in jr. high and a little in high school. That was many years ago. I am a recent empty nester and find I have time to devote to developing a talent. I am so excited to relearn to play the flute! Thank you for you wonderful lessons and encouragement!

    1. Hi Andrea, it’s so great to have you here learning to play the flute. You’re in a perfect stage to have a fun hobby like this. You’ll do great! See you again in a lesson very soon. πŸ™‚ ~Rebecca

  3. Dear Mam
    Your Teaching is very useful and Very Exciting to me.
    Also your way is shown me like Mother and Child.

    Kindly Thanking you

  4. Hello Rebecca,
    I am 23 and I am going through a really bad phase right now. I always wanted to learn playing some kind of musical instrument, but ended up procrastinating all the time. So I felt the only way I would probably learn something would be if I start it right away! Somehow Flute was the only instrument that appealed to me! Could spend listening to someone playing it all day long πŸ™‚ Learning the flute will definitely help me keep occupied and motivate me for doing better things in life. I thank you for providing these online classes so that people can learn playing flute from any where they want.
    Thanks a ton Rebecca πŸ™‚

  5. Hi Rebecca,
    I found your tutorials on YouTube and now your website. I’m working though the silver lessons and thinking about subscribing to the gold package. I just wondered if you have any online students from the UK? I’m a Headteacher in a large primary school in Northumberland and we have some flutes in school that aren’t currently being used so I’ve borrowed one and perhaps in time, I’ll be able to surprise the children by playing in assembly!
    Really just wanted to check that signing up from the UK is going to work!
    Many thanks
    Anne-Marie

    1. Hi Anne-Marie, yes yes yes there are loads of students here in the online studio at Learn Flute Online who are also from the UK. You are in good company. And, yes this works. You’ll be able to take one of those ‘lonely’ flutes and put it to good use for sure. Your students will be both surprised and inspired!! See you soon. ~Rebecca

  6. dear Rebecca
    I have been listening to you how to play flute and I am very impressed the way you connect to student. Only late last year my long relationship came to an end and I am out of my family life. Now I have to much alone time. So I am going to use my passion for music plying flute which I use to play when I was very young. By the way I am now 47 and I am excited to learn how to play flute:)

    1. Hi Ram, I’m so glad you found us. We all welcome you to Learn Flute Online. And, we look forward to your learning. Have a beautiful week. πŸ™‚ Rebecca

  7. I really need to teach my 4 yr old brother… only thing is that he has a hard time spitting correctly, so he can’t really make any sound… so, right now I have had to be content with playing while he presses the keys. any ideas?

    1. I teach lots of young ones. And, yes the best place to start is with the spitting… then the ‘one finger at a time’ movements. And, at the same time work on attention span. I have a pretty great recipe that works wonders. ~Rebecca

  8. Pingback: Gold Module 01 Flute Lessons - Learn Flute Online: Flute Lessons for Learning Beautifully and Fast.

  9. At my 50’s my dream came true, as learning play flute. Thanks Rebecca for offer on line classes. I just finish the first class ever and I love it. I hope I can be a good player.

    1. Hi Rosane, you’re going to be great! You have loads of flute friends right here in these Learn Flute Online learning modules. See you soon! ~ Rebecca

  10. Hi!Im from Vietnam. My son bought this trumpet from England when he was stadying in London. I try to know how to play this flute. Glad to meet your online. I love your lessons. Thank!

    1. Hi Nguyen! We’re so glad you are here learning. Let me know if you have any questions. I want to help you have fun learning the flute. πŸ™‚ Rebecca

  11. Hi I played the flute in 5th grade wanted to be in band but instead the next year took baton twirling lessons and was a twirler in HS and college. It was great! I have been a teacher for over 20 years and decided to play the flute again. I am 61. My husband plays great guitar and I wanted to play too. Picked the flute because I love the way it sounds. I am going to do this and work hard.

  12. I am 65 and was regretting 5th grade! They only had one flute and gave it to the girl who could afford private lessons–I got stuck with the clarinet. Hated it. Made my teeth hurt. So now I went and bought a flute and was going to teach myself from books, but was having so much trouble with embrochure. Your first Module took care of that! And you can teach me to play tunes on my own! How exciting! I had to stop playing guitar because of a stroke, but the flute I can manage. I love to make flutey noises, and am looking forward to a Module every night with practice in the morning. Thank you for all your work.

  13. hi Rebecca I liked the first module lesson and I like it I will do the module 2 lesson on Saturday or sunday because I have to go to school and I get out of school at 4:00 pm well I have to go thanks for inviting me to this program.Merry Chistmas
    sincerely
    Juanita Garcia

    1. Hi Juanita – we are all so happy you are here learning. You will love the lessons, and I’m sure you’ll learn a lot. Have a great week! ~ Rebecca

  14. Hello Rebecca! I just started this but I completed the whole Module 1. Heading to Module 2 right now. I have played flute before but the teacher was very bad and I learned nothing. I am glad to start over and begin again. Thanks a lot for starting this program.

    πŸ™‚ ~Alina~ πŸ™‚

  15. hi Rebecca i am glad you r my teacher because if you can teach a 2 year old then u can teach me a 13 year old thanks a lot for all the help so far i just completed my first lesson i am a fast learner

  16. Hi there! I’ve enjoyed the site, and wanted to add my thanks. Here is a little about me..
    I used to play trumpet. Played in several bands.. took jazz studies in college.. was very accomplished.
    I got a staph infection.. when I went to the hospital, they gave me 90 minutes to live! .. emergency surgery.. I did live.. LOL.. but the infection attacked my gums, and one by one, I lost my teeth. .. and the ability to play trumpet.
    So.. I learned blues harmonica. Great fun, and it fits in your pocket. πŸ™‚
    I’ve always enjoyed the sound of a flute.. and it is so versatile.. can play it classical.. or jazz… even tock or rap. LOL
    I figured I would look for a deal on one… found one for $20 at a yard sale! .. an inexpensive student model.. but I had a flute person I know check it all out.. it’s in perfect condition! She about fell over when I told her what I paid. πŸ™‚
    Been playing it for three weeks.. the dentures pose a bit of a challenge. But nothing I can’t overcome. Can play chromatic scale in two octaves already.. doing a lot of long tones to work out the tone issues.. resurrected all my jazz studies books.. and at 58, I’m happy as a lark to be making music again. πŸ™‚
    The site is wonderful! .. and I thank you! I’m learning a lot from a multitude of different sources. For now, and the immediate future, I’ll focus on scales.. a life long study.. and the organist at church has invited me to play some simple duets with him
    So, very, very cool!

    1. Jim, it sounds like you’re a fun student. And, about the teeth – no worries- I have a plethera of 8 year olds in my studio… they have baby teeth, then NO teeth, then BIG teeth. Our bodies just adjust as we show them what is needed. Glad to have you here! πŸ™‚ Rebecca

  17. Hello Rebecca! Thanks for this. I’m really eager to learn and become very good at playing the flute and with just this 1st module, I know I am on my way there.
    Just a curious question, how long do you think it would take a beginner like me to become good enough to join a band?

    1. Hi Tope, this is a great question. It all depends on how well you practice. I have many students who have come through my program and studied very carefully, daily, and in a smart manner. They are doing well and are all playing in local bands and church bands… having a great time too!! You can do it… (I think it depends on what kind of band you are talking about) ~ Rebecca

  18. Hi Rebecca! Thanks a lot for being, such a nice teacher. As rest of your students, I always wanted to play the flute. I had always been interested in music and can sing too. My parents never allowed me to learn anything, since they think it as a deviation from studies and think that my grades might fall. Now you are my secrete teacher. I have no flute yet, but I completed module 1, with a plastic bottle of course. I am secretly working part-time to raise the fund for a flute on my own. Eagerly waiting for that special day. Wish me luck. πŸ˜€

  19. Hi Rebecca.

    I’m so grateful that you offer these lessons online and for free! It’s very kind hearted and benevolent of you.

    1. Hi Holly, I am so happy you are here to learn. I am excited you will be learning how to play the flute from me. πŸ™‚ ~ Rebecca

  20. Hi Rebecca. I played the flute from 11 throughout my 20’s. My dad was a Concert and Solo Violinist with a degree in music. I was in hot pursuit of playing that violin, but dad claimed he was not teacher able. So I became interested in flute. I had a few years of private lessons and onetime I was on stage with dad. He was Concert Master and I was filling in for player in the Flute Section. Dad looked over at me playing with the biggest smile I ever saw. That was my destiny, play professionally and Solo.

    I am older now and have a condition in my brain. I have lost all the abilities I learned. I think it is in there, but is embarrassing when asked to play a classical piece and I have to decline. I want to become professional but no one teaches here, plus being a single mom is costly. How far can your online program take me? And can I get back to where I was? Thank you.

    1. Oh Hi Shari, I’m SO glad you have found me. I can totally help you. I actually work with a lot of people with right/left brain connection, etc. If you are able to learn on your own you can do the online lessons I have here as many times as you need to learn. And, I am totally available to anyone who needs/wants extra help. I’m not sure where you live, but I do weekly skype lessons as well as live ones here in my studio. Just let me know when you need/want. I’d love to chat with you and help you on your way “back”. πŸ™‚ ~ Rebecca

    1. The classical flute. Traditionally silver. You can message me from the contact page if you have more questions. πŸ™‚ ~ Rebecca

  21. Ms. Rebecca you have a beautiful spirit. Thank you for sharing your gift with us. Your example is a great reminder of what is important in life.

    1. Thank you, I can tell you are a wonderful person as well. And, you are very welcome. I just want everyone to be able to learn. πŸ™‚ ~ Rebecca

  22. I just finished module 1 it was great I am 15 and previously played the sax but it eventually got TOO heavy and a friend of mine played and she enjoyed playing so I bought a flute and looked for lessons online and found you I was happy and so was my mother. She was happier than I was because she knew she hadn’t wasted her money .thanks for the inspiration and I’m off to module 2!!!!!

  23. Hello Rebecca,
    I just got a flute yesterday and it’s a brand new Yamaha. Thank you so much for teaching me the way to put your mouth on the Head Joint. I watched tuns of videos on YouTube for how I would do so. Nothing, I learned absolutely nothing until I fount you. You helped me so much. Also after reading what you’re boy did I felt really confident and plus it was really cute!!!!!!!!!

    Thanks again Back to watching more of you’re videos. πŸ™‚ :p

  24. hello rebecca the module 1 is great for the beginners it teaches about the nodes also it’s great.

    1. You’re welcome, Nayan. Keep moving through those modules and you will learn a lot! πŸ™‚ ~ Rebecca

  25. hello rebecca the module 1 is great for the beginners it teaches about the nodes also it’s great.

  26. Hi Becky..
    I wanted to learn with an Indian flute. What’s the difference between the one u have and the wooden long Indian flute..people call it bansuri too..!!
    And its sooooo nice I found ur lessons at last..

    1. Hi Ramya, I’m glad you asked this question because I actually am asked quite often if the Indian Flute (not to be confused with Native American Indian Flute) is the same as the flute I’m teaching here on this Learn Flute Online website.
      The flute from India is called the Bansuri – it is made of bamboo and has carved holes for your fingers.
      The silver/classical flute is also called a “western concert flute”. It is the most common in the world, and the most versatile because of the range and ability to play chromatic tones.
      If you are here to only learn bansuri, then you will run out of similarities rather quickly. If you can find yourself a silver flute, you will be so glad. πŸ™‚ ~Rebecca

  27. Hello Rebecca!

    I just did the First Module and i have learnt a great deal of things, thank you!
    I just wanted to point out to you that number six does not show the answers to the pitch differences…. Pretty sure I’ve got it right but still would appreciate the correct answers.
    Ta

  28. I feel most encouraged after hearing about the 78 year old man and Icaro I’m a mere 62 and have never played a musical instrument …not even a recorder. Really enjoying the lessons and your approach Love KAY

  29. Gabriel Arana

    Thx 4 the motivation. I just started w/ ur silver modules, and I love the way u made them. It makes me feel u r actually there, in person. I hope 2 advance steady through all these mods, then migrate to golden, then… whatever comes next! The best material from the best teacher…

    1. RebeccaFuller

      Ah thank you Gabriel. We are all so excited for you to join us learning. You will find we are all rooting for your success! πŸ™‚

  30. Christine Bianco

    I began playing in the 8th Grade Orchestra. I worked my way up to be the First Chair. I remained there for two years. I moved on to High School and played in the Marching Band for a year. I got married at 16 and had to quit High School. I am now 45 and haven’t played the Flute since. I was finally able to go out and buy a Flute from a Pawn Shop. It is so sad that I can’t seem to remember what note is what. It seems I forgot all that I knew. I can remember some of the fingering position and in the pitches and some reading like a whole note a quarter note, etc. I just cannot seem to play reading the music like I used to back in school. It is frustrating. I am amazed how easy it is to have forgotten. I am needing a refreshment course. Please help. Thank you. I really want to start plating music and not just some notes on it again.

  31. Finally after many complications I am here at last :). Really excited, but afraid I’m to stupid to learn. Thanks for your time Rebecca!

    1. Hey Esther, you’re at the perfect stage of life to learn. I promise you can learn. Follow the modules in order and take your time to perfect to the best of your ability and you’ll see yourself learning really well. The flute is so much fun to know how to play. Very rewarding! πŸ™‚ Rebecca

  32. Rebecca, I’m 63 and wanting to learn to play the flute. I have been trained in playing classical guitar yet problems in my fingers stopped me from playing. I can move my fingers well enough to play the flute, so I decided to give it a go. And here I am, just finished your first module and looking forward to the second. I do read music, so it make it easier for me to play a song, yet the sound is not that perfect, so I decided to start from the beginning and des cover what I’m doing wrong.
    Nice set of lessons and very well presented. Thank you very much Rebecca.

    Icaro
    Australia

    1. Hi Icaro, thank you for writing. I personally think you’re in a perfect time of life to learn to play the flute. There are dozens just like you in my program.. (and doing very well I might add). I can’t wait to see you progress! πŸ™‚ Rebecca

  33. Hi Rebecca,
    Thank You for giving your time. I am 65 joined the band in church, they did not have a flutist so I decided to get one from Amazon. I got it and started with your lessons from the beginning, I know some music as I played the violin and the piano, but stopped, so I am a bit rusty, hence I am starting from the beginning. I was getting some problems blowing but through perseverence and your teaching I am getting there. I will keep you informed of my progress. Thanks again and may God Bless You.

    1. Hey Theodore, number 2 is after lesson number 1. Are you in the Silver Level modules? Don’t forget that you need to be logged in as a student to see them. πŸ™‚ The student login page is in your menu bar at the top of the page. Need more help? Email me and I”ll walk you through what you need: [email protected]

  34. Hi Rebecca

    Thank you for offering these lessons. I am 43 and have wanted to learn how to play the flute for some time, your lessons offer me an opportunity to see if I like it and to even see if I can do it. Had two piano lessons in my life, love music but can’t read it. I am a newbie on all counts.

    I feel like I am about to pass out from just learning to make a tone. I think I am trying too hard or going to fast at times and my head gets light! LOL

    I am finding I am having to turn the face plate slightly to get the tone/toot to come out. So perhaps it is the way I am holding it. Looking forward to more of the modules after I practice my tone more.

    1. Hi Robin, you’re at a perfect age for learning with my style of teaching. You’ll love it…and you’ll excel! I promise you can learn.
      The dizzy’s go away. Don’t worry. Just stop playing for a bit once you are dizzy. I’ll show you how to make your body use the air more efficiently.
      Also, about your lip plate turning towards you a bit.. usually that’s because you’re pulling your face back in a “smile” like position instead of keeping it in a more relaxed position. Look in a mirror and check this. Can’t wait to see you progress! -Rebecca

  35. Thanks so much miss Rebecca for the lessons.I thought it was late for me to start learning the flute at 13 but after reading this article it really makes me want to learn it better.Thank you so much!:)

    1. So glad you are here learning, Janice. I’m positive you’ll do well with my method. Everyone is just playing so well here! It’s great!! -Rebecca

  36. I’m so impressed already and I just stopped 3 years worth of lessons. Looking forward to learning more from you. Thanks so much for doing this, Rebecca.

  37. I love your lessons, but I find some of them teaching me stuff I already know. You see, you had options for new flautists and returning flautists, and i have never played the flute, so i chose new. But, i have played piano for 10 years and violin for 7, so I already knew about notes and stuff… Is there any way you could make an option that’s for people who are not new to music, but are new to flute?

    1. Anna Sophia, I agree. This program you see right now is for true beginners. I will work on a different version for those who are already familiar with music. For now, just watch the videos for reinforcement, just in case you missed something. The Gold Level takes you into the Minuets pretty quickly (after finishing learning all of the skills needed for folk songs). πŸ™‚ Thanks for the great suggestion.

  38. Hi Rebecca,
    I want to thank you very much, because I always wanted to learn playing flute but I could not find a website which teaches in my native language,Turkish. My english level is not good but when I listened your lessons, I was excited, because you teach very smooth and easy like a ESL teacher:) I love it. Thank you again

  39. omgggggggggggggggggggg cant beleave that your just how shuld i say it to you like
    your just a wanderful teachr aosome teachr thank you so much and love youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu 3>

  40. ps, i think you are the best teacher [even though i am eleven and haven’t seen many flute teachers] and even though its easy for me because I have been playing the flute for 3 years I still admire your teachings and didn’t skip ahead. thank you for teaching me so far!

  41. Hi rebecca, I just wanted to thank you for teaching me! you are awesome. And I just wanted to ask if you think I can go to a higher level because I already know the basics and in a few days summer is over and since all the flutists dropped out, I am the only one. So, I am the only flutists in my school’s band and with your teaching I hope i would go to a higher level and impress my band students and teacher.

  42. i like your method of teaching. i need to secure a flute to continue but the price of flute is highwill check renting.

    1. Hello, I am a brand new student, only a two days and I know absolutely nothing. So far all is well. I love the note[s] lesson. I acquired my flute at a pawn shop. It is great and it seems to long to be played with some skill [which will obviously take some time, poor thing]. Check pawn shops in you area and e-bay – just a thought.

  43. I’m 13 and I played clarinet 6th and 7th grade. I always wanted to play flute and my band director gave me a flute today. It’s summer and I have 5 weeks to learn it and be very good so I can go back into advance band. I’m hoping your lessons will get me there! Its good that I already know about notes and everything. Now I just have to learn them! πŸ˜›

    1. Oh, Sierra. This is exciting! You will be the most knowledgeable one in the whole class after working on my lessons this summer. Make sure you go through as many of the Gold Level lessons as possible. You’ll be amazed at what you can do compared to the others. In fact, you’ll end up being the resident “in-band” flute expert. πŸ™‚ Rebecca

  44. Well, I don’t feel so bad – I am young then at 64 to start flute. I have played the highland bagpipes for over 20 years and always wanted to play the flute. I have retired for a spell with the band – and here I am!!

  45. Thanks, dear Rebecca – I am 66 years old – I have played the Guitar for about fifty five years and bought the flute for my son to learn on – he never did, my wife passed away a year and eight months ago, so today I thought about the flute – It is a brand new Yamahah silver flute and has never been used – Thank you so much for having these lessons – I look forward to learning everything from you.- warm greetings!!!

    1. Oh, I’m so glad you’re learning to play the flute Arnold. I can’t wait to see your improvement. πŸ™‚

  46. It just finished my first module! So excited. I am 50 yrs old and have always wanted to learn the flute. My sister and son are musicians and now so can I!!!!! Thank you so much

  47. wow….78 year old…not too late …he he he he …it was my passion to learn the flute and am very thankful to have you as my teacher miss Rebecca…the flute i’m now using is originally belongs to my son,now he’s 13….me and my wife bought it for him to learn it because at that time he’s so interested to play the flute…but now , i’m the one who’s really eager to know the flute…i just thought that buying a flute here in the Philippines is uncommon…people here plays most the guitar…and i will not allow this instrument just to sit and collect dust…i have to learn it and play it and it …of course with your help…thank you very much ma’m…

    1. Oh Michael, I’m so glad to read this. I hope you enjoy the lessons so much. I will help you learn, and everyone will enjoy listening to you. πŸ™‚

        1. Aside from the videos and webinars, you have to schedule a private lesson with me if you want to “meet” with me live. See you in the videos!! πŸ™‚

    2. Hi , im from the Philippines too. And i wanted to play flute too but the problem is I don’t have enough money to purchase one. But i have my Maestro flute when I was in 4th grade and it is still with me but its better when i play the metal flute. Isn’t it?

      1. Yes, the flute that I’m teaching here on this website is the concert flute (metal). I have many other students from the Philippines, I’m sure you can find a flute. πŸ™‚ ~ Rebecca

  48. curtis st louis

    hi Rebecca i just starting ,this is my first wind instrument. i like to learn every thing fron u my first lesson was o some.

  49. I played the flute all through 6th grade, but didn’t take band in 7th or 8th grade. I soon forgot how to play, and was very upset. So thank you so much for teaching me how to play again. You are awesome!

    1. I’ve been teaching 5 year olds for 20+ years and it definitely is a super fun challenge. You have to take everything in baby steps and create fun all along the way. If you really want to know more about that, I can help you. πŸ™‚

      1. Can you help me to learn and is it possible to share suggestion(About feature and all) to buy a new flute.

        I am a beginner and i would like to know about the instrument.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top
Step 1 of 3

Choose which best describes your flute level:

Step 2 of 3

Where should I send your lesson info?

*Step 2 of 3

Where should I send your lesson info?