Free Flute Sheet Music

Tune of the Day: Adagio by Loeillet

This is the very first movement from a collection of twelve sonatas by Jean-Baptiste Loeillet, first published around 1710.

Tune of the Day: March in D major

This piece appeared in the second of two volumes of works that Johann Sebastian Bach presented to his wife Anna Magdalena. A number of the compositions in this second volume are of questionable authorship, though they are often listed on J.S. Bach's works list. Other family members, including Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, are known to have written some of the pieces, one of which might have been this charming March in D major. The piece has a playful melody, and shows that kind of irresistible charm and bouncy exuberance that has typified so much of Mozart's early keyboard works.

Tune of the Day: Get Up Old Woman and Shake Yourself

This jig is taken from Francis O'Neill's collection Dance Music of Ireland, published in Chicago in 1907. It is one of the earliest tunes that O'Neill remembered hearing from his boyhood in County Cork, Ireland.

Probably the oldest appearance of this jig is in Alday's Pocket Volume of Airs, Duets, Songs, Marches, etc. (Dublin, 1800), where it is listed under the title “Go to the Devil and Shake Yourself”, although that is also the name of a different 18th-century British tune.

Tune of the Day: Study in E-flat major by Karg-Elert

This is the thirteenth étude from Sigfried Karg-Elert's 30 Caprices: a “Gradus ad Parnassum” of the modern technique for flute solo. It is marked quasi 2 flauti, meaning that it should almost sound as if it were played by two flutes; which is why it is written as two distinct voices.

Tune of the Day: O passi sparsi

Sebastiano Festa was an Italian composer of the Renaissance period. While his musical output was small, he was one of the earliest composers of madrigals, i.e. secular (as opposed to religious) songs that were arranged for several vocal parts.

One of Festa's madrigals, “O passi sparsi”, based on a sonnet by Petrarch, acquired some fame beyond Festa's limited circle. It was copied in many manuscripts up to mid-century, and appeared in instrumental arrangements as well.

Thanks to Doug for suggesting this piece!

Tune of the Day: A Holy Praise

Today we are very happy to propose a piece which was kindly contributed to our collection by its composer, Cheryl Cleveland-Kannianen.

“A Holy Praise” is an original composition for alto flute and piano appropriate for worship or recital. It begins and ultimately circles back to the bright and traditional Christian hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy”, but the majority of this work is a creative exploration of expanded melodies, textures and key signatures. The piece is characterized by an upbeat beginning, with a middle section which turns pensive before returning to a pleasant cheerful pace. It then closes with a majestic and strong ending, taking full advantage of the alto flute voice.

Full duration of this piece is 4.5 minutes. If a shortened version is needed, it is possible to create a satisfying 3-minute version by retarding at measure 59 and holding the chord on beat 3 as an ending.

Dr. Cheryl Cleveland-Kannianen is a retired scientist who is now pursuing a Music Degree at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC, with a focus on composition. Music has long been her therapeutic hobby; she has served as an active member of the Music Ministry of several churches throughout her adult life. Cheryl is also an avid flute player and has been a participant in various flute choirs within the Raleigh Area Flute Association (RAFA) for over a decade. This piece is her first offered composition for alto flute and piano.

Tune of the Day: What Ails You?

This jig appears to be unique to Francis O'Neill's early-20th-century collections Music of Ireland (1903) and The Dance Music of Ireland (1907), both published in Chicago, where O'Neill was working as Police Captain.