What are the best gifts for flute players? There are tons of gift ideas out there, and not every gift is right for every flutist.
Be sure to consider the musician in your life. And if you’re a flutist, don’t hesitate to make your wish list specific to help your loved ones get you what you want.
Before we get into the gift ideas, this post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy to learn more.
No time to read the whole post? Flute sheet music is the best gift for flute players, regardless of their experience.
- Best Accessory: Flute Bag
- Best Flute-Related Instrument: Electronic Wind Instrument
- Best Technology Gift: iPad Pro
Flute Sheet Music
Flute sheet music is one of the best gifts for flute players who have everything. If someone already has their dream instrument and plenty of gear, they could almost always use new music.
Of course, I’m probably a little biased as an arranger. But a lot of flute players want to expand their repertoire. Consider the following types of flute sheet music to buy.
Flute Solos
Solos are great because you can play them alone or perhaps with a pianist. I prefer to learn unaccompanied rep since it’s more flexible. That’s also one of my favorite types of flute music to arrange.
You can find flute solos at all levels, from beginner to professional. I’ve arranged a collection of famous solos for unaccompanied flute. But I also have quite a few titles, like standard flute solos and variations on famous themes.
Whenever I edit and arrange a standard flute work, I like to include a practice guide to help flute players learn it. So if you know a flutist who can’t afford private lessons, a practice guide makes a great gift.
Download the J.S. Bach Partita Sheet Music and Practice Guide:
Flute Duets
If you are or know a private flute teacher, flute duets make a great gift. In lessons, I would often play duets with my teacher to help warmup and practice sightreading.
I also played a duet with my professor on one of my degree recitals. So duets can be great for practice or a performance.
You can find duets simply for two flutes or some with piano. I’ve arranged a collection of inventions by J.S. Bach for two flutes, and you can download those for yourself or as a gift:
Flute Trios
Flute trios are another great instrumentation to buy sheet music for. I played in a trio during grad school, and we played a piece on my recital. You can find trios by composers throughout history.
A lot of trios are for three 3 C flutes. I’m in the process of arranging some Bach sinfonias two C flutes and alto flute. I love the alto, so I had to include a part for it in these trios.
Trios are great for a chamber music experience. You can also play one as a warmup if you happen to offer group lessons. Check out my first sinfonia arrangement to get started with trios!
Flute Quartets
Flute quartets are another excellent instrumentation. I’ve played in a couple of quartets, including one of 4 C flutes and a mixed quartet. I think of mixed quartets with 2 C flutes, alto, and bass, like the flute version of a string quartet.
I’d love to see more music written or arranged for the ensemble. As flute choirs have grown in popularity, so have low flutes. Now, we can take that popularity and create more chamber music.
I’ve arranged the famous Mozart Flute Quartet in D for a mixed flute quartet. That way, you can find three other flute players instead of three string players if you want to learn and perform the work.
Flute Etudes
One of the best ways to improve on your flute is to practice flute etudes. I’ll admit I’m not the biggest fan of them. But they’re useful, and some of them can sound just as great as solos.
If you’re looking to learn a specific skill, for example, etudes are great. They’re also usually pretty short, so they’re easy to learn and master.
I wrote a collection of etudes for solo flute as well as a collection of piccolo etudes. So whether you want to focus on the C flute or its smaller relative, you can do so with original, new music. Buy the flute etudes:
Flute Accessories
Flute sheet music is great, and I’ll continue to share new titles as I release them. But it never hurts to get some new flute accessories. These are some of the best gifts for flute players because they can be expensive.
But if you’re not a flute player yourself, be careful. Not all accessories are safe, but the following are.
Cleaning Cloths
If your flute gets dirty, it can look bad. But it can also make the instrument harder to play or lead to expensive repairs.
All flute players need a good swab, like the Beaumont Flute Swab. I have one in Violet Lace, and I use it whenever I play my C flute.
For the outside, I use a Beaumont Polishing Cloth in Damson Lace. The cloths are different, so you shouldn’t use one for the other purpose.
Flute or Piccolo Wand
Another one of the best cleaning-related gifts for flute players is a flute or piccolo wand. These wands make it easier to swab inside your instrument compared to a swab cloth.
I have a Valentino flute wand, and I bought it from my tech who included an adapter so that I can use it when my flute’s in one piece.
The piccolo wand is similar, but it can fit in your entire piccolo no matter what. Since the corners are rectangular, the wand can reach in all of the corners to swab out your headjoint.
Flute Stands
Many flute players need a good flute stand. If you play multiple flutes, having a stand lets you set each flute down when you need to play another one.
Even if you only play the C flute, a stand is great. You never know when you might need a quick water or bathroom break. When you have a stand, you can set your flute down safely.
I primarily use the Hercules Alto Flute Stand with separate pegs for my C flute and piccolo. But I wrote an entire guide to flute stands if you think you might prefer something else.
Earplugs
Another one of the best gifts for flute players who also play the piccolo has to be a good set of earplugs. I know some people don’t use them, but you can damage your hearing by doing that.
If you want to protect your hearing, you should get some earplugs. Or if you know a flute player, get them a pair.
I use and love the Etymotic ER-20 earplugs. They come on a string, so I don’t have to worry about losing one. When I’m done, I store them in their clamshell case.
Cork Grease
Cork grease is only a good gift if you play a wood piccolo that has a cork on the body tenon. You can use cork grease to keep the cork from drying out and making it hard to assemble or disassemble your piccolo.
I’ve used cork grease on my piccolos for years. You don’t have to use it every day, usually. But using it occasionally really helps.
That way, you won’t have to pay for extra repairs. And you won’t have to be out your piccolo for a few days while those repairs happen.
Flute Bag
As a flute player, I’ve asked for a couple of flute bags as gifts. I believe I bought my first one, but the others that I’ve had are expensive. That means I couldn’t easily pay for them when I wanted them.
I got a Fluterscooter bag in 2017 and used it for a few years. Sadly, the zipper went on on one side. It still works, but I have to close the zipper in a specific place, which I find annoying.
Earlier this year, I got my first Altieri bag, specifically an alto flute, flute, and piccolo combo bag. Since I mainly play alto flute in flute choir, I wanted a bag that could fit the instrument and my accessories.
General Accessories
You can use some of the best gifts for flute players for more than just flute playing. If you or a flutist you know needs some other music gear, I have a few ideas for gifts.
Here are some gifts to add to your wish list or to buy for someone you know.
Music Stand
Every musician can benefit from a music stand. If you’re tired of using a cheap, folding wire stand, you can get a bigger stand. That way, it can hold your music and be sturdier.
I have a nice stand that I use when practicing at home. In the past, I would take it with me to performances. But now, I use an iPad stand since I primarily perform using my iPad.
Either option can work well, so go with what you prefer. Of course, if you use paper, your only choice is a standard music stand. But if you use an iPad, a tablet stand is portable while also being sturdy.
Pencil Holder
If you use a standard music stand, I’d also recommend getting a pencil holder to store your pencil as you practice. I couldn’t find one available to share, but I’ve used a pencil holder on my stand for years.
Lately, I haven’t used it as much since I use an iPad and Apple Pencil. But it’s still nice to have one on hand in case I want to practice on paper.
Mirror
Another music stand accessory to get is a mirror. As a flute player, I like having a mirror nearby to practice my embouchure. You can use a mirror to get a visual reference for your aperture.
If you get a good sound, you can look at your lips in the mirror. Then, you can get an idea of how to form your lips to get a similar sound in the future.
I have a small mirror with a magnet that sticks to my music stand. But you can use any sort of mirror.
Tuner/Metronome
Another one of the best gifts for flute players has to be a tuner and/or a metronome. You can use a tuner to make sure you’re not playing sharp or flat when you’re practicing.
A metronome is great for staying in time as you practice. And you can get a combination tuner-metronome. I have one that comes with a cord that you can attach to your flute.
If you need to tune while in an ensemble, the cable will only pick up on your instrument instead of the others around you. That way, you can make sure you’re in tune before the start of a rehearsal.
Folders and Binders
If you prefer to play from print music over digital, you may want to have some folders and binders on hand. You can get a folder for every ensemble your in as well as a folder for your solo stuff.
That way, you’ll be able to organize all of your music. Having it organized can keep you from forgetting a piece of music at home.
Even if you use an iPad for sheet music, I’d recommend getting a binder. I use a binder to store my performance programs and other important details.
Fun Instruments
Some of the best gifts for flute players are other fun flutes outside of the concert flute family. I have a collection of various flutes that I sometimes like to play.
They make good gifts because they’re small and usually affordable. Consider the following types of flutes as gifts.
Recorders
The recorder is more than the annoying instrument many people learn in elementary school. Some people play the recorder as their main instrument, but it’s a good one for flutists to learn.
I have both a soprano and an alto recorder. The soprano is the same range of a piccolo, while the alto is a fifth lower. They’re both pretty small, but you can get the sopranino or garklein recorders that are even smaller.
On the larger end, you can get a tenor or bass recorder. There are some recorders even larger than that.
Ocarinas
I have a few ocarinas that I’ve collected over the years. One of them is the standard Ocarina of Time model with 12 holes. I got a white one instead of blue though, and I think it looks great.
Also, I inherited a couple of ocarinas with fewer holes than 12. I haven’t learned the fingerings for them yet, but they’re fun to play.
One of my favorite things is how small they are. They’re a bit easier and more comfortable to hold compared to end-blown flutes like the recorder. Plus, you can play the Ocarina of Time theme.
Tin Whistles
Another fun type of flute I’d recommend to any flute player is a tin whistle. You can also call them Irish whistles or penny whistles.
I got my first two (both in D) in 2014 at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix. A few years ago, my sister got me a whistle in C as a gift. (Proof these make great gift ideas!)
Unlike the concert flute family, all whistles are in concert pitch. The letter simply refers to the lowest note that particular model can play. That’s also why the all-metal whistle I have is a bit bigger than the others.
Fifes
When it comes to other transverse flutes, the fife is an excellent choice. It’s similar to a piccolo, but there are quite a few differences.
I don’t have any professional fifes. But I do have a couple that make excellent gifts for kids who want to learn the flute but are too small. The Yamaha and myfife models are plastic and have similar fingerings to the recorder.
I also have a metal fife that’s a bit harder to play. But it’s fun to play around on, especially if you’re a piccolo specialist.
Electronic Wind Instrument
Another fun “flute” to try is an electronic wind instrument (EWI). You play it more like a recorder both in terms of the playing position and fingerings. But you can make the sound of almost any instrument.
I originally got the Roland AE-01 to emulate the sound of a bass flute. Since I don’t have a bass, the EWI was a much cheaper option to replicate the sound.
It’s also a good option if you need to practice but don’t want to disturb others. You can still make music, and you can connect headphones so that it’s silent to the outside world.
Other Flutes
There are tons of flutes from all over the world and throughout time. You can get a flute for almost any culture or time period.
I have a Japanese shinobue, which is a transverse flute. When I was learning the piccolo preludes by David Loeb, I bought a shinobue to better understand the Asian pipes I had to emulate.
On my wish list now is a Baroque traverso of some kind. You can also get a quena from South America. Most cultures have a flute or woodwind of some kind, so there’s something for everyone.
Music Technology
Some of the best gifts for flute players are technology gifts. If you know someone who likes computers or tablets, get them some accessories.
Here are some tech gifts I’d recommend for the flute player in your life.
iPad
Many musicians are starting to use an iPad to read music. It’s more convenient than carrying around a bunch of books or loose paper. But they can be expensive, so people may not want to splurge on them.
If you know a musician who wants to switch, consider getting them an iPad. I’d recommend the 12.9-inch iPad Pro since the screen is about the size of paper. That makes it really easy to read off of.
For a few years, I used a regular iPad. But after I switched, I knew the larger screen was so worth it. I don’t think I could go back to using a smaller model to read sheet music.
Apple Pencil
If you have an iPad, you really need a good stylus to annotate your PDF sheet music. Apple Pencils are the best, in my opinion, especially with forScore. You can start writing on the screen, and it will take your annotations.
With other styluses, you have to enter annotation mode first. That’s not the end of the world, but it can slow things down.
Of course, both the Apple Pencil 1 and 2 are expensive. You also want to make sure you know what iPad model someone has. That way, you can get the right stylus since they aren’t compatible with all iPads.
Bluetooth Pedal
Another one of the best gifts for flute players who use iPads is a Bluetooth pedal. I only recently started using a pedal, but I think it’s super helpful once you get the hang of it.
Now, some pedals can have glitches that affect the connection. They aren’t the best to rely on, but you may not have another option. One of the pieces I started playing in flute choir is impossible to play without a foot pedal.
Usually, I use half-page turns, but those didn’t work on this one piece. So I broke out my PageFlip Firefly that my parents got me a few years ago.
Apple/iTunes Gift Card
If you don’t know exactly what to get someone, consider buying them an Apple or iTunes gift card. Gift cards are great because you can use them to buy the specific thing you want.
An Apple gift card is great for buying apps or in-app purchases. Some of the best sheet music apps cost money. For example, forScore is like $20, but it’s worth it.
Still, you may not want to spend your own money on an app. In that case, add a gift card to your wish list so that you can get the money you need for the app you want.
MIDI Keyboard
Some flute players are also composers and arrangers. If you know someone who does both, you may want to get them a MIDI keyboard. I have one from iRig Keys that works well with an iPad.
The keyboard I have is almost a decade old, so it uses the outdated 30-pin connector, but it came with a USB cable that works with a laptop. But it may be nice to get a newer version to use with my current iPad.
Of course, you can get a larger MIDI keyboard for use in a studio. The smaller ones are nice if you or the flute player you know tends to work on the go.
Laptop
A lot of musicians could stand to get a better laptop. This is especially crucial if your computer is multiple years old and is running slowly.
You can choose between Windows or Mac depending on your needs. I prefer Mac because I also have an iPad and iPhone. And I like using programs like iMovie to prepare videos to share on YouTube.
But some people prefer Windows for its system or programs. Before you buy a laptop as a gift, make sure you know which operating system to get.
Career Development
Many flute players want to turn their skills into a career. Becoming a professional musician isn’t easy, and a lot of us have other things we do to help pay the bills.
Still, you may want to ask for some career development gifts.
Books
There are quite a few career books that apply to any field. But you can also find books like The Savvy Musician, which are for music.
If you want to go into the orchestral performance world, I’d recommend getting Six Weeks to Finals. That way, you’ll know what you need to do to prepare for an audition.
On the other hand, maybe you want to be a freelancer. I’d recommend The Ultimate Freelancer’s Guidebook.
Online Courses
I’ll be honest: I have mixed feelings about online courses. Some can be very helpful, but others are borderline a scam. That’s because a lot of the info in courses is also usually available for free.
But if you don’t want to search all over for that info, a course is nice. Of course, many courses cost a lot of money.
So you can ask for someone to pay for a course for you. Alternatively, you can ask for a gift card that you could put toward the cost of a course.
Flute Studio Gifts
Many flute lesson teachers like to give their students gifts. But if you have a lot of students, buying gifts can quickly add up.
Luckily, there are some affordable gifts for flute players that you can get for all of the members of your studio.
Notebooks
A lot of people could use a good notebook. You could give one to each of your students, and they can use it as a practice journal or whatever.
Pencils
Of course, what musician doesn’t need a new pencil? Even if your students use iPads, they can still use a pencil when using paper music.
Magnets
You can look around and find some cute flute or music magnets. A lot of them are usually cheap, and you can buy a lot in bulk to give out one year.
Flute Hats
If you’re crafty, buy some yarn in different colors. Then, you can make flute hats to give to your students. These are small hats that go over the closed end of a flute, and you can match the yarn color to each student.
How Do You Choose Gifts for Flute Players?
To choose the best gifts for flute players, you have to consider a few things. First, you need to know what the person already has and what they might want.
Of course, you can ask the musician directly. But if you want to offer more of a surprise, do some digging. Ask their family or friends to learn more and get better ideas.
The Best Gifts for Flute Players: In Review
Choosing the best gifts for flute players can be difficult. You can get anything from sheet music to technology to career gifts.
Be sure to consider the specific player you know and their goals. Then, you can come up with a gift that will blow their mind.
Do you want to gift a flute player with a new, unique piece? Commission an arrangement or original work!