Flute

Shinobue and other flutes-3

A medieval bone flute dating 11th-13th century. (FindID 621082)

Zampoña

Flute with musicial notes

Western concert flute

Flute

The flute is a family of musical instruments in the woodwind group. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening. According to the instrument classification of Hornbostel-Sachs, flutes are categorized as edge-blown aerophones. A musician who plays the flute can be referred to as a flute player, flautist, flutist, or, less commonly, fluter or flutenist.

History

Flutes are one of the oldest categories of instrument. The earliest flutes were made from bones, and examples have been found in various parts of the world, with artifacts dating back to the Upper Paleolithic period. These ancient instruments have been discovered in present-day Germany, France, and other areas. The flute has evolved over time from these simple beginnings to the modern flute, which was developed by Theobald Boehm in the 19th century. Boehm's design, which incorporated a complex system of keys, has been the basis for many of the flutes used today.

Types of Flutes

There are several types of flutes, varying in size, shape, and use. The most common types include:

• The concert flute, also known simply as the flute, is a side-blown or transverse flute. It is the most widely used flute in Western classical music.
• The piccolo is a small flute that sounds an octave higher than the concert flute.
• The alto flute is a larger version of the concert flute, tuned a fourth below it.
• The bass flute is an octave below the concert flute.
• The baroque flute was used during the Baroque era and has a distinct design and sound.
• Various traditional flutes are used in non-Western music, each with unique characteristics and cultural significance.

Construction and Design

Modern flutes are typically made of metal—silver, gold, or nickel silver—while some are still made from wood. The choice of material affects the instrument's tone and timbre. A flute's body is divided into three parts: the headjoint, where the player blows into to produce sound; the body, which has the majority of the keys; and the footjoint, which adjusts the pitch of the flute's lower notes.

Playing Technique

Playing the flute involves holding it horizontally to the right side and blowing across the hole in the headjoint. Fingers are used to press down the keys to change the pitch. Advanced techniques include vibrato, double tonguing, and flutter tonguing.

Repertoire and Use

The flute has a broad repertoire that spans from early medieval and Renaissance music to contemporary classical and popular music. It is used in orchestras, bands, chamber music, and as a solo instrument. The flute's versatility and expressive capabilities have made it a popular instrument across various musical genres.

See Also

• Woodwind instrument
• Music of the Baroque era
• Classical music
• Contemporary classical music