Uptown Funk: How to Play the Flute Part

Get the flute part to “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars.
This how-to video will show you how to play the flute part for the popular song.

Introduction

Are you looking for a way to add some fun and excitement to your music? If so, you should consider learning how to play the flute part in Uptown Funk. This popular song by Bruno Mars is full of energy and is sure to get everyone moving. And, the flute part is relatively easy to learn. In this article, we’ll show you how to play the flute part in Uptown Funk.

The Flute Part

If you’re looking to add some funk to your flute playing, look no further than “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars. This song is packed with flute licks that are sure to get your toes tapping. In this article, we’ll break down the flute part so you can learn how to play it.

The Melody

The flute part in “Uptown Funk” is actually pretty simple – it’s mostly just the melody. However, there are a few embellishments that you can add to make it sound more interesting.

One of the most important things to remember when playing the flute part is that you need to keep the groove going. This means playing with a lot of energy and feeling. The best way to do this is to make sure that your articulation is clear and sharp. You also want to make sure that you’re not rushing through the notes – take your time and really feel the groove.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the flute part is actually an octave higher than what you might expect. This means that you’ll need to use your higher register when playing it. This can be a bit of a challenge at first, but it’s definitely doable with a bit of practice.

Once you’ve got the hang of playing the melody, you can start adding in some of the embellishments. These include trills, vibrato, and dynamics. These will add a lot of interest to your playing and really make the flute part stand out.

So, there you have it – a few tips on how to play the flute part in “Uptown Funk.” Just remember to keep it groovy, use your higher register, and add in some embellishments for added effect. With a little practice, you’ll be nailing this solo in no time!

The Harmony

The harmony in “Uptown Funk” is pretty simple: it’s just the 1 chord (Gm7) for most of the song, with a few 2 chords (Am7) and 6 chords (E♭Maj7) thrown in. But even though the harmony is simple, it’s still important to get it right. Otherwise, the whole song will sound off.

Here’s how to play the flute part for the harmony in “Uptown Funk.” Remember, the flute part is written in concert C, so you’ll need to transpose it down a step if you’re playing along with the record.

Concert C:

X:1
%%score T1
V:T1
%%staves {(Pos)|(Neg)}
%%staves {( Flute)}
kyf/4\pos\mp fgec|baab g2|g2 fg e2 dd|cdec BcdB|A4 ABAF|GFEF GABc|BAGF ECCE|F4 F2z2|]

The Rhythm

When you’re ready to tackle the flute part to “Uptown Funk,” take a look at the rhythm first. The notes in measure 1 are all whole notes, which means you’ll hold each one for the entire measure. In measures 2 and 3, you’ll see a combination of whole notes and half notes, which means you’ll hold some of the notes for two counts and others for just one count. The key to playing this correctly is to make sure you know which note gets which count. To help with that, we’ve included a note value chart below.

Whole Note: Hold for 4 counts
Half Note: Hold for 2 counts
Quarter Note: Hold for 1 count
Eighth Note: Hold for 1/2 count
Sixteenth Note: Hold for 1/4 count

Conclusion

Now that you know the flute part to Uptown Funk, get out there and practice! Play along with the song as many times as you need to until you feel comfortable with the part. Once you’ve got it down, try showing off your skills to your friends and family. They’ll be impressed by how quickly you mastered the flute part to this popular song.