You’ve heard it. That breathy, whimsical, slightly jazzy riff that feels like a warm hug or a rainy afternoon in a Parisian cafe. It’s everywhere. Whether you’re doomscrolling on TikTok or grabbing a latte, the flute melody from Laufey’s "From the Start" has become a cultural shorthand for "aesthetic."
Honestly? It’s kind of a big deal for a woodwind instrument that usually gets relegated to middle school marching bands.
People are obsessed with the from the start flute part. It isn’t just background noise; it’s a specific vibe that has sparked a massive surge in people wanting to pick up the instrument for the first time. But there is a lot of confusion about what is actually happening in that track, how to play it, and why it sounds so different from the piercing high notes you remember from 7th-grade band class.
The Bossa Nova Secret Behind That Sound
The magic of the flute in this track isn't just about the notes. It’s about the genre. Laufey isn't making standard pop; she’s blending jazz and bossa nova, which changes everything about how the flute is played.
In classical music, flutists strive for a pure, "crystal" tone. You want it clean. You want it perfect. But the from the start flute style is all about breathiness. It’s a "sub-tone" technique. If you listen closely, you can hear the air hitting the lip plate. It’s intimate. It sounds like someone is whispering the melody directly into your ear.
This specific track uses a lot of chromaticism—basically, playing the "in-between" notes that aren't in the standard scale—which gives it that slippery, sophisticated jazz feel. It's not just a happy little tune; it’s technically quite clever. The flute echoes the vocal melody, acting like a second voice rather than just an accompaniment.
Most people don't realize that the "From the Start" vibe borrows heavily from the 1960s Brazilian music scene. Think Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto. When you're trying to replicate that sound, you aren't looking for a bright, shrill noise. You want something dark and woody.
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Can You Actually Play the From the Start Flute Part as a Beginner?
Yes. And no.
Here is the reality: the notes themselves aren't "Prodigy level" difficult. If you’ve played for a year, you can probably hit the fingerings. However, the articulation is where everyone trips up.
In the song, the flute uses "double tonguing" during some of the faster runs. That’s a technique where you use the front and back of your tongue (think saying "t-k-t-k") to move faster than a single "t" sound would allow. If you’re just starting out, your tongue is going to feel like a lead weight.
It’s frustrating. You’ll try to play along with the Spotify track and realize you're about three steps behind the beat.
Why your cheap flute might be the problem
A lot of people are buying $100 flutes off Amazon to try and learn the from the start flute melody. Please, don't. Those instruments are often "Leaking." If the pads don't seal perfectly, you have to press twice as hard, which makes fast jazz riffs impossible. If you’re serious about getting that Laufey sound, you're better off renting a decent Yamaha or Pearl flute from a local shop.
Breaking Down the "Laufey" Flute Technique
To get that specific sound, you have to mess with your embouchure (the way you set your lips).
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Usually, teachers tell you to keep your lips tight and the hole small. To get the from the start flute texture, you actually want to loosen up a bit. You’re intentionally letting air escape. It’s inefficient for classical music, but for this specific "vintage jazz" feel, it’s the secret sauce.
- Slow it down. Use a metronome. Start at 60 BPM even if the song is much faster.
- Listen to the "scoops." Notice how some notes don't start right on the pitch? They slide up. You do this by slightly tilting the flute or changing the angle of your air.
- Record yourself. You will think you sound like a pro until you hear the playback and realize you sound like a teapot. It's okay. Everyone starts there.
The Social Media Effect: Is the Flute "Cool" Now?
It’s fascinating to see how one song can shift the "cool factor" of an instrument. For decades, the flute was the "nerdy" choice. Now, because of the from the start flute trend, it’s associated with coffee shops, vintage fashion, and a specific kind of intellectual romanticism.
We saw this happen with the ukulele in 2012. We saw it with the "Stranger Things" synth sounds. Now, it’s the flute’s turn.
But there is a trap here. A lot of people learn just that one riff and stop. They never learn how to actually read music or play anything else. While there's nothing wrong with learning by ear, the flute is a fickle beast. If you don't learn the fundamentals of breath support, you're going to get lightheaded after thirty seconds of playing.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Transcription
If you go looking for sheet music for the from the start flute solo, be careful. A lot of the free "tabs" or "sheets" online are in the wrong key.
The song is in C major, but it borrows heavily from other keys. If your sheet music doesn't have a lot of accidentals (sharps and flats that aren't in the key signature), it’s probably a simplified version that won't sound quite right. You want the version that includes the "blue notes." That’s what gives it that slightly "off" but beautiful tension.
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Also, the flute on the recording is mixed with a fair amount of reverb. If you're playing in a carpeted bedroom, you're going to sound "dry." Don't let that discourage you. It’s not that you’re bad; it’s just that you don't have a professional sound engineer standing in your closet.
Actionable Steps for Mastering the Sound
Stop trying to play the whole song at once. It won't work.
Start with long tones. It sounds boring, but if you can’t hold a steady, breathy note for 10 seconds, you’ll never nail the solo. Focus on the low register. The from the start flute sound lives in the middle-to-low range of the instrument, which is actually the hardest part to make sound "big."
Next, find a teacher who understands jazz. Most flute teachers are classically trained and will try to "fix" the very things that make this song sound good. You want someone who can explain syncopation and swing.
Lastly, check out other artists who use this style. If you love this track, look up Hubert Laws or Herbie Mann. They were doing the "cool jazz flute" thing decades ago, and listening to them will give you a much deeper understanding of the language Laufey is using.
Pick up the instrument. Practice your scales—yeah, even the boring ones. Get your air support right. Before you know it, that airy, bossa nova riff will actually start sounding like the record instead of a bird in distress.