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Rev 4 - Split - 6

The document summarizes different types of flutes, including the transverse flute, piccolo, and alto flute. The transverse flute produces sound by blowing air across a lip plate and is a non-transposing instrument in the key of C. The piccolo is pitched an octave higher than the transverse flute but notated an octave lower, and the lowest note is a D. The alto flute is the only transposing flute, pitched in G and written a perfect fourth higher than it sounds.

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Tom Hart
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28 views1 page

Rev 4 - Split - 6

The document summarizes different types of flutes, including the transverse flute, piccolo, and alto flute. The transverse flute produces sound by blowing air across a lip plate and is a non-transposing instrument in the key of C. The piccolo is pitched an octave higher than the transverse flute but notated an octave lower, and the lowest note is a D. The alto flute is the only transposing flute, pitched in G and written a perfect fourth higher than it sounds.

Uploaded by

Tom Hart
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Flute Family

The Transverse Flute


The standard flute (often called the transverse flute), operates on air blown across a lip plate,
creating the vibrations needed for sound. The transverse flute in its current form is a non-
transposing instrument, in the key of C, and is notated exactly as it sounds. Its range is upwards
of middle C, spanning three octaves, although professional players can attain one or two notes
higher. Many modern flutes also have a low B foot-joint, allowing them to reach the B natural
below middle C. However, the lowest register is rarely used by the flute, except for solo work.

One of the oldest instruments, both fundamentally and in its modern form, the flute is
applicable to almost all ensembles. A staple in orchestras since the earliest forms, the flute has
a large concerto repertoire and is very common in chamber ensembles. Away from broad-form
'classical' music, the flute is found in military bands (usually with piccolos), concert bands and
most school bands. Although rare, it is not unheard of for the flute to be found in jazz ensembles,
or as a solo jazz instrument. Indeed, in many big bands, reed players will double on other
woodwind instruments, including the flute. The flute is not a staple, but is often seen in pop
ensembles, and occasionally used in rock bands (for a notable example, see Jethro Tull1).

The Piccolo
The most oft seen auxiliary flute is the piccolo. This is pitched an octave above the transverse
flute, but notated an octave lower than it sounds. Although an octave clef should be used, the
marking is rarely seen, and often a standard treble clef is used, with the octave marking
assumed. The key difference between the piccolo and transverse flute is that the lowest note on
the piccolo is D (notated a tone above middle C, sounding and octave higher). Again, the lowest
register is rarely used except for special effects. Piccolos are commonly found in orchestras, but
are most commonplace in military and marching bands. There exists a body of work for solo
piccolo, but this is rarely exhibited.

As the piccolo reads and is fingered identically to the flute, transitioning is simple and players
often double on both instruments.

Historically, piccolos were transposing instruments, pitched in Db, sounding a major seventh
above written. This type of piccolo can be encountered in military and marching band scores
from the early 20th century and before.

The Alto Flute


The alto flute (historically known as the bass flute, a name which is now superseded by the
modern bass flute) is the only transposing modern flute. Pitched in G, it is written a perfect
fourth higher than it sounds. Its written range and fingering are again identical to that of the
transverse flute, with its sounding range three octaves beginning at G below middle C.

The alto flute has a small body of solo work, but is rarely seen outside dedicated flute choirs
and ensembles.

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