Free Flute Sheet Music

Tune of the Day: Trio in A

This simple trio for two flutes and guitar was kindly contributed to our collection by its composer, guitarist Peter Pope. Thank you, Peter!

Tune of the Day: Bushy Park

This tune was composed by British writer and musician Ignatius Sancho (1729–1780), and was first printed in his Twelve Country Dances for the Year 1779.

Bushy Park is the second largest of London's Royal Parks, after Richmond Park. The name was assigned by King Henry VIII in 1529, when he established it as deer-hunting ground.

Tune of the Day: Red River Valley

This cowboy music standard has gone by many different names, notably including “Cowboy Love Song”.

From this valley they say you are going.
We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile,
For they say you are taking the sunshine
That has brightened our pathway a while.

So come sit by my side if you love me.
Do not hasten to bid me adieu.
Just remember the Red River Valley,
And the cowboy that has loved you so true.

Both the melody and the lyrics have very uncertain origins. According to Canadian folklorist Edith Fowke, there is anecdotal evidence that the song was known in at least five Canadian provinces before 1896. This finding led to speculation that the song was composed at the time of the 1870 Wolseley Expedition to Manitoba's northern Red River Valley.

The earliest known written manuscript of the lyrics bears the notations “Nemaha 1879” and “Harlan 1885”, possibly referring to either two counties in Nebraska or to two towns in Iowa.

The song was brought to its greatest popularity by Texan Jules Verne Allen's 1929 recording titled “Cowboy's Love Song”. Allen himself thought the song was from Pennsylvania, perhaps brought over from Europe.

Thanks to Elan for suggesting this tune!

Tune of the Day: Study in C minor by Karg-Elert

This is the twenty-fifth étude from Sigfried Karg-Elert's 30 Caprices: a “Gradus ad Parnassum” of the modern technique for flute solo.

Tune of the Day: Duet in C major by Tulou

This short Andantino for two flutes is taken from the celebrated Méthode de flûte by French flutist Jean-Louis Tulou, published in Paris in 1835.

Tune of the Day: Danse des Sauvages

The Danse des sauvages is arguably the most famous piece from Jean-Philippe Rameau's 1735 opera Les Indes galantes (“The Amorous Indies”). It is part of the fourth and final act, “Les Sauvages” (“The Savages”), which is set in North America and was inspired by Native American music. In particular, Rameau claimed to have based this piece, whose original title is “Danse du grand calumet de la paix” (“Dance of the grand peace pipe”), on the dances performed by two Native Americans from Louisiana, which he witnessed in Paris in 1725.

Thanks to Marian for suggesting this piece!

Tune of the Day: A Lilt from Home

The earliest appearance of this tune in print is as “The Church of Dromore” in Francis O'Neill's Music of Ireland (1903). Many variants have since emerged under various titles, including “Ryan's Favorite”, “The Killaloe Boat”, and “The Lilting Banshee”.