Instruments of the flute family
The modern flute family has a combined pitch range which is equal to that of the string family, but regardless of each instrument's individual compass, its music is always written in the treble clef. This is so that the player who plays the familiar-sized flute used in the symphony orchestra can adapt easily to any other size of flute.
All flutes have a compass of about three octaves or a little more, the lowest note being usually C or B, written as piano middle C or B. The only
exception to this is the piccolo flute which lacks the two or three bottom keys normally found on a flute, and so extends downwards only to D.
The highest note obtainable on each instrument varies slightly, depending mostly on the skill of the player, the quality of the instrument and the demands of the composer.
All flutes have a compass of about three octaves or a little more, the lowest note being usually C or B, written as piano middle C or B. The only
exception to this is the piccolo flute which lacks the two or three bottom keys normally found on a flute, and so extends downwards only to D.
The highest note obtainable on each instrument varies slightly, depending mostly on the skill of the player, the quality of the instrument and the demands of the composer.
Piccolo
The piccolo flute is usually known as the "piccolo", which means "little", and is the smallest flute.
Its music is written an octave lower than in sounds to avoid using too many leger lines above the stave, which would be difficult to read at speed.
Its music is written an octave lower than in sounds to avoid using too many leger lines above the stave, which would be difficult to read at speed.
concert flute
The concert flute is the most familiar instrument. Used in the symphony orchestra, it is known for its melodic qualities and technical brilliance.
Alto flute
The alto flute is a transposing instrument. Its lowest note is G - the same note as the lowest string of the violin - but it is written as piano middle C, a fourth higher, so all its music is written a fourth higher than it sounds. This is so that the player can use the same fingering system as on the concert flute.
Often referred to as "alto flute in G" because of its transposition, it sometimes has a curved head joint to make it easier to handle.
Often referred to as "alto flute in G" because of its transposition, it sometimes has a curved head joint to make it easier to handle.
Bass flute
The bass flute is an octave lower than the standard concert flute, so its lowest note is C, the same note as the lowest string of the viola. Its music is written in the treble clef, an octave higher than it sounds. It always has a curved head joint, which makes it easier to handle.
Contra-alto flute
The contra-alto flute is an octave lower than the alto flute and is also a transposing instrument, in G. Its lowest note is G at the bottom of the bass clef, but its music is still written in the treble clef, an octave + fourth higher than it sounds. The most recent instruments are curved like the contrabass.
Contrabass flute
The contrabass flute is two octaves below the concert flute, or one octave below the bass flute. Its lowest note is C, the same at the lowest string of the cello, and its music is written in the treble clef, two octaves higher than it sounds.
Too long to handle easily, its tube is nowadays usually bent into a figure-of-four configuration with its lower end supported on the floor by an adjustable spike similar to that of a cello.
Too long to handle easily, its tube is nowadays usually bent into a figure-of-four configuration with its lower end supported on the floor by an adjustable spike similar to that of a cello.
Sub-contrabass flute
The sub-contrabass flute is three octaves below the concert flute, or two octaves below the bass flute, or one octave below the contrabass flute. It's lowest note - C - is the lowest note of the modern string double-bass and it fulfils a similar role.
It has the same configuration as the contrabass and also rests on the floor.
It has the same configuration as the contrabass and also rests on the floor.
