Progressive flute methods for children, teenagers and adults
Solo, duet, trio and accompanied repertoire
Suitable for individual and group flute lessons
Beginner to approximately Grade 3 level
Free recordings and piano backing tracks
Book 1 available in multiple languages
Where will The Young Flute Player take you?
Learning the flute shouldn't feel like guesswork. The Young Flute Player maps the whole journey out - every note, every skill, every step introduced at exactly the right moment.
Your very first sound. Photo guides for assembling and cleaning your flute. Easy-to-read fingering charts. Your first five notes, and your first real piece of music.
Playing with confidence. Progressive units build note by note. Scales and exercises are tied directly to the pieces you're playing, so practice always has a purpose.
Playing with other people. Colour-coded duets and trios mean even beginners can hold their own part - often after just four or five notes.
Real repertoire. Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Dvořák, Bartók, Joplin, and traditional melodies from around the world.
Grade 3 and beyond. By the end of the series, you’re a fluent player with solid technique, a working knowledge of theory, and a repertoire to be proud of.
Free support at every step. Every piece has a free recording on YouTube, every piano part has a free backing track, and the playback speed can be adjusted to suit the student. Plus free downloadable graduation certificates to celebrate each book completed.
Choose the right flute-learning path
Book 1 — for young beginners
Young beginners generally begin with Book 1 before progressing to Book
Book 6 — for teenage and adult beginners
Teenage and adult beginners can start with Book 6, The Young at Heart Flute Player, before progressing to Book 2
The books are numbered as part of the complete series, but they do not all need to be studied consecutively. Book 3 provides the accompanying piano parts and teacher duets, while Books 4 and 5 introduce the enjoyment and important skills of ensemble playing. Adult learners may also enjoy the duets and trios in Books 4 and 5 as their playing develops.
"The Young Flute Player series by Karen North is incredible. It works for all ages and all learning needs. It's scaffolded so well, too." - Jessi F
Carefully Scaffolded
New notes, rhythms and techniques are introduced gradually.
Musically Rewarding Classical, traditional and original repertoire develops both skills and expression.
Flexible Learning Paths
Designed for children, teenagers, adults, individual students and ensembles.
Free Audio Support Professional recordings and piano backing tracks support lessons and practice.
Explore The Series
Book 1: The Young Flute Player
A Positive and Engaging Start
Book 1 guides young beginners from their first notes through carefully structured units, varied pieces and enjoyable learning activities. New skills are introduced gradually, helping students build confidence and secure musical foundations. Free professional recordings and piano backing tracks support practice between lessons.
Best for: Child beginners
Level: Beginner to Preliminary
Book 4: Beginner Flute Duets and Trios
Discover the Joy of Ensemble Playing
Book 4 introduces beginner flute players to ensemble music through flexible, colour-coded duet and trio arrangements. Students need only four or five notes to begin the earliest pieces, making the collection ideal for group lessons, first ensembles and students developing confidence in following an independent part.
Best for: Beginner students, group lessons and first ensembles
Level: Beginner to Preliminary
Book 2: The Young Flute Player
Expanding Skills and Musical Confidence
Book 2 continues the progressive journey through Grade 1 and Grade 2 repertoire. Classical works, traditional melodies, studies and longer concert pieces develop technique and expression, with exercises and scales connected directly to the music.
Best for: Students ready to progress beyond an introductory method
Level: Grades 1–2
Book 5: Intermediate Flute Duets and Trios
Build Ensemble Confidence and Independence
Book 5 continues the ensemble journey with varied duets and trios for developing flute players. Flexible arrangements, colour-coded parts and focused warm-ups help students strengthen rhythm, tuning, balance, musical communication and confidence within a group.
Best for: Developing flute students and intermediate ensembles
Level: Grades 1–3
Book 3: Piano Accompaniments and Teacher Duets
Bring Every Flute Lesson to Life
Book 3 is the teacher's companion to The Young Flute Player series, featuring piano accompaniments and flute duets for Books 1 and 2, plus selected later pieces. With easy-to-play accompaniments and backing tracks, students can enjoy making music with others from the very start.
Best for: Flute teachers, accompanists, and parents.
Includes: Piano accompaniments and teacher duet parts
Book 6: The Young at Heart Flute Player
A Flute Method for Teenage and Adult Beginners
Book 6 offers teenagers and adults an age-appropriate introduction to flute playing, with clear explanations, gradual progression and rewarding repertoire. Classical works and traditional melodies are supported by exercises, scales, free recordings, piano backing tracks and duet performances.
After completing Book 6, players can continue with Book 2 and the ensemble repertoire in Book 5.
Best for: Teenage and adult flute beginners
Level: Beginner to early Grade 1
What Teachers and Families Say
The Young Flute Player In Other Languages
Created by Flute Educator Karen North
Karen North, M.Mus., B.A. (Hons.), Dip. Ed. (Music), is an Australian flute teacher, mentor, author and publisher with more than 40 years of successful music-teaching experience.Her creative and carefully structured approach reflects decades of working with children, teenagers, adults, individual students and groups. The Young Flute Player series grew from this practical teaching experience and has helped flute teachers and learners around the world begin strongly and continue with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether the learner is a young child holding a flute for the first time, a teenager discovering a new creative outlet or an adult pursuing a long-held dream, The Young Flute Player provides a clear, encouraging and musically rewarding pathway.
Explore the series and find the right books to support confident learning, enjoyable practice and a lifelong love of flute playing.
Free recordings, free backing tracks and free graduation certificates for every book.