Imagine hearing a pop song and knowing it would sound amazing on the flute. So you look for pop sheet music for flute but don’t know where to start.
I’ve found a few online and in-person stores where you can shop for pop music. That way, you can start to learn more than just classical music on your flute.
Before we get into it, this post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy to learn more.
Sheet Music Direct
If you want to buy digital sheet music, you can’t go wrong with Sheet Music Direct. They have a lot of pop arrangements for flute, and many of those arrangements are by individuals like me.
As an arranger, I get to use Hal Leonard’s ArrangeMe program to arrange copyrighted songs. Then, those uploads get distributed to Sheet Music Direct for you to purchase.
You can search for songs and by instrumentation. So whether you want a flute solo or a flute choir arrangement, you can find something that suits your needs.
Sheet Music Plus
Sheet Music Plus is another great website to shop for pop sheet music for flute. I’m also able to publish arrangements there through ArrangeMe. That means you can find digital downloads.
The buying process is super easy. And you can log into your account to access the files you’ve purchased. So if you lose them on your computer or lose the physical copies, you don’t have to buy them again.
This website also sells physical sheet music books. While you’ll have to wait for shipping, you don’t have to print anything out. However, as someone who uses an iPad for sheet music, I prefer buying digital when I can.
Musicnotes
Another website that sells pop sheet music is Musicnotes. Similar to the ArrangeMe program, the Musicnotes Marketplace allows individuals to sell arrangements of some copyrighted music.
You can buy and download a piece to play it right away. The library of copyrighted works isn’t as large as what you’ll find through SMP or SMD, so keep that in mind when shopping.
However, if you can’t find what you’re looking for elsewhere, you may want to check Musicnotes. Someone who uses the website as an arranger might just have what you need.
Woodwind & Brasswind
If you prefer to buy print sheet music online, you might want to shop at Woodwind & Brasswind. This online-only retailer specializes in instruments and music for wind instruments.
I’ve bought things off the site (though never sheet music), and it’s easy to place an order. Of course, you’ll have to wait for the item to arrive, which isn’t always ideal.
Still, it’s a great place to look for collections of pop sheet music for flute and other instruments. Then, you won’t have to buy music for each individual song you want to learn.
Music & Arts
Whether you want to buy music online or in person, consider shopping at Music & Arts. They have a few pop collections available, and you can place an online order for delivery.
If you live near one of their retail locations, you can go in person. The thing I like about this is that you can preview the music. So if you’re shopping for beginner students, you can make sure the music will be playable.
And if your local Music & Arts doesn’t have what you want in stock, they may be able to order it in for you. I did this when I was trialing alto flutes a while back, so you don’t have to worry about shipping something to your home.
Amazon
Ah yes, Amazon, who could forget? A lot of musicians don’t want to buy instruments from Amazon, which I understand. But it’s pretty safe to buy pop sheet music for flute on the platform.
They carry a lot of collections of pop songs based on the year. You can also find collections from Disney movies and other musicals. So if you want to learn a bunch of songs from Descendants, for example, this is a great option.
What I love about Amazon is, of course, the fast shipping. But you can also make use of any Amazon gift cards that you’ve had lying around. That means you could save on your purchase.
Flute Center of New York
Flute Center of New York has a separate website where they list sheet music for sale. Some of those titles include pop songs and collections of pop songs.
You can shop for some of your favorite music either online or in person in NYC or at flute events. That can be a nice way to support a smaller business while getting the music you need.
However, it’s worth noting that FCNY isn’t as forthcoming with stock information as they could be. That means you could place an order, but they may not actually have the book in stock, so you might have a long wait period.
Your Local Music Store
Of course, you can also check out any of the local music stores near you. They may not have the largest selection of sheet music. I’ve found that these stores tend to prioritize piano and vocal music.
However, vocal sheet music can work well on the flute. Since the flute is in concert pitch, you could read the vocal melody. Then, you might have an easier time finding the music you want to learn.
MuseScore
We all know of the MuseScore notation software, but there’s also a website and app. You can subscribe to MuseScore PRO+ to get access to tons of original scores of pop and movie songs on your device.
Unfortunately, you won’t own the music, and you can’t download these scores. That means if you cancel your subscription, you’ll lose access to everything. But it can be a more affordable option.
This year, I paid about $40 for a year’s worth of access. As long as I use it for more than about two collection’s worth, I’ll have gotten my money’s worth.
What If You Can’t Find a Song You Want to Learn?
If you can’t find the sheet music for a pop song you want to learn, you’re not totally out of luck. The next best thing would be to learn that song by ear.
It may not be easy at first. I struggled with ear training in college, but I’ve been able to learn a number of pop songs by ear on my flute. The more you practice this skill, the easier it will get.
Can You Find Pop Sheet Music for Free?
Unfortunately, you can’t find free pop sheet music for flute. Any titles you do find will most likely be breaking copyright law.
If you can’t afford a ton of pop sheet music, you have options. First, you could pay for a MuseScore PRO+ subscription. That will give you access to hundreds or even thousands of songs.
Then, there’s learning music by ear. I’ve come to love learning pop songs by ear, especially because I can focus on the music and not on page turns.
Finally, you can always ask for pop sheet music books as gifts for your birthday or other holidays. The music won’t be free, but you won’t have to pay for it.
Final Thoughts
Buying pop sheet music for flute can be a great way to expand your repertoire and learn new music. You can learn songs from your favorite singers as well as popular movies.
If you’re looking to buy some pop sheet music and download it right away, check out my growing library of arrangements for solo flute and flute ensembles.