About these Flautists

A versatile instrument, forms of the flute have been around for centuries. Primarily used to perform classical, folk and even military music, flautists are regularly hired for weddings and corporate events. Last Minute Musicians have a varied selection of 26 flute players, many of whom are also multi-instrumentalists and can be hired to perform at various event. There additional instrument can often include the clarinet and the saxophone.

Use the Last Minute Musicians entertainment directory to find local musicians for hire near you!

"I thoroughly enjoyed this very professional performance by Chris Docherty on flute, ably assisted by his two ensemble performers Laura Baker (clarinet) and John Talbot (piano). There was a good mix of pieces that I was familiar with, e.g. the opening pieces were from Peer Gynt by Grieg, and later on, in the first half, we had the Entr'acte from Carmen, by Bizet,- but there were also some very excitingly played new pieces that I didn't remember hearing before. Some were very fast, and needed great technical expertise! (E.g. Tarantella by Saint-Saens). The evening went far too quickly, and was enjoyed by everyone who attended. We look forward to the next concert!"

Revd Andrew & Mrs Yvonne Spear's review of Chris Docherty flute player & teacher

Ideal for:

Either performing solo or to a backing track, flautists are able to accompany any part of almost any event. For example, a flute player is often asked to perform during the wedding ceremony - particularly if the ceremony is religious. The musician can perform as the bride walks down the aisle or play hymns whilst the congregation sing.

For corporate events, a flute player could play whilst guests enjoy champagne and discuss business. As a form of background entertainment, a flautist is able to provide soothing, relaxing music or something more up tempo.

When booking Flautists:

Flautists can be remarkably simple to book. As solo musicians, they are cheaper than hiring an ensemble and, due to the nature of the flute, do not always need amplification.

As the flute is a versatile instrument, the musicians are able to play different genres and styles of music. Commonly, flautists will perform classical pieces however many professionals will boast a varied repertoire. From jazz to swing, rock, soul, pop and theme songs from TV and film, an effective solo flautist will be able to cater for almost every type of event.

Tips when booking flautists:

• When searching for a suitable flautist, clients should always listen to demo recordings and live videos
• Clients should try and meet with their chosen flautist before an event, if possible. Giving examples of suitable songs and discussing any requests for important points of the day.
• Many will happily learn new material specifically for one event, whilst this can work very well for many clients, it is important that the musician is given enough time to learn the new songs.
• Clients should ask what professional flautists would need during an event. This may include food, drink and a space to prepare/store valuables.

Before booking a professional flautist check the Last Minute Musicians ‘book a band’ checklist to ensure there are no confusions and that every event runs smoothly.

Prices for Flautists:

Flautists will often charge differently, depending on factors like travel, the time of the year and how long you would like them to perform for. They will usually charge a minimum of £150. If you're looking to cut down on travel costs, use the "advanced search" feature to find flautists for hire near you.

History of the flute:

A member of the woodwind family, the flute was used frequently during the Renaissance and Baroque periods thanks to its subtleties and colour. Throughout history, flutes have been associated with social and cultural events including funerals, religious ceremonies and celebrations. Early flutes only had a small range from a few notes, to two octaves and in the beginning only men were allowed to play.

Nowadays, flutes produce a varied range of tones from rich highs to dark notes in a lower register. Famous flautists include Robert Dick, Frans Vester and Marcel Moyse and the instrument is regularly used in solo and in classical ensembles as well as contemporary rock, pop and folk music.

The Flautists featured on this page are all members of the Last Minute Musicians entertainment directory. Use the refine section at the top of this page to book a flute player close to you. Simply choose a county or enter a post code into the "available in" box to refine the listings to your local area. Click the "visit listing" button to see the full profiles of the individual Flautists. With over 3300 active listings you are sure to find the perfect entertainer, musician, band or entertainment service to make your event just perfect. Don`t forget you can use our online chat (below) to get instant help with your booking.