TYPES OF FLUTE

The flute is considered one of the oldest man-made musical instruments. In 1995, archaeologists found in Eastern Europe a flute made of bone that dates back some 43,000 to 80,000 years old. Flutes are divided into two main categories:
Side-blown - Also known as a transverse flute, you hold it horizontally or sideways to play.
End-blown - It is played by blowing the end of a tube or pipe. End-blown flutes have two sub-categories:
•        Rim-blown Flutes - Also known as notched flutes, it is played by blowing across the top of a tube. The air is split because the tube has a notch or a sharp edge.
•        Duct Flutes - Also known as fipple flutes, is played by blowing air into a channel and the air travels across a sharp edge.

When we speak of modern flutes however, there are six main types:

Bass Flute in C
The largest of them all, the bass flute is in the key of C. The only modern flute larger than the bass flute is the contra-bass flute, which is two octaves below the concert flute.




Alto Flute in G
The alto flute uses the same fingering as required for the concert flute, while sharing a similar tubing with the bass flute. The alto was mainly designed for flute ensembles.


Tenor Flute in B♭
The tenor flute is tuned in the key of B♭. It is also known as 'Flûte d'amour'(The Flute of Love), because of its rich tone that is believed to invoke the emotion of love.



Concert Flute in C
The most widely used flute amongst the modern flute family, the concert flute is not only famous for its contributions to Classical music, but also for its beauty seen in jazz or well, almost anywhere you need it.

Soprano Flute in E♭
Larger than the piccolo but 4 inches shorter than the concert flute, the soprano is the combination of both. Because of the slightly higher pitch, the flute is easier to blow into along with being easy to play.

 Treble Flute in G
The treble flutes are higher than the concert flutes and are rarely seen in use. They are only seen in flute ensembles or some jazz performances.






 There is other flutes in this world:    


 The Panpipes

It consists of about 5 pipes in general, each pipe differing in size. The Panpipes(or pan flute) are completely flat at one end, with the other ends of each pipe trailing off. The different lengths of the pipes give out different notes, so instead of a single pipe with holes in it, you get multiple pipes with no holes.

The Panpipes are considered to be a folk instrument that originated from Greek culture. These type of flutes are linked to the Greek god Pan, hence the name Panpipes. Records of the instrument have been found through manuscripts and archaeological digs in places all around the worlds, from Central America to India.


The Ocarina

The instrument is too unique and simple, yet sounds amazing in its own light. The Ocarina is simple to make, easy to play and the fun can last for a lifetime. The English Pendant Ocarina can have just four holes for fingers and still get an entire octave! The instrument may have been globally available, but it was nowhere as famous or as widely used as it was in Japan. 'The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time', anyone? The game has to be the biggest reason for its comeback.

The Ocarina's charm is in its simplicity, the pitch gets changed simply by controlling the air flow inside the Ocarina where it keeps banging against the walls. The two basic types would be the pendant type and the chambered type. Small, simple and easy to use, the Ocarina is the definition of music that can be played anywhere.





The Recorder

The Recorder is one of the oldest flutes around that's still in use. The Recorder is one the main reasons the Ocarina lost much of its hold over the musical domain. It grew to its greatest popularity during the Renaissance. The modern flute we use today like the Recorder's younger brother- both were developed side by side historically. The soprano Recorder is the most common one used today. One can say that playing the Recorder remains as one of the easier things to do among the woodwind instruments.

The recorder gets its name from the early meaning of 'record', which means 'to practice music'. The recorder is named 'Flauto' in Portuguese and Spanish. Over the passing of time however, it was discovered that the modern concert flute was richer in tones and better sounding than the recorder. That, coupled with the exponential rise in popularity of orchestras, led to the decline of the recorder.

 




The Suling

Well yes, 'Suling' in Balinese means 'flute'. The Suling is the kind of flute that will change its size according to the celebration. It is made from bamboo and its size can be from 20cm to more than a meter, or from narrow to wide enough for additional support. Their size, like all concert flutes, is in reverse proportion to their base register- the larger ones play are meant for the bass notes and the smaller ones for the higher pitched notes. All Suling have six holes evenly spaced from each other.

The instrument was meant to be more of a humming flute and is known for its ease of producing a vibrato. This gives the suling its two popular effects. One is the slur, where you play notes in rapid succession within a single breath. The other effect is the 'Puruluk', which sort of resembles the flutter on an electric guitar. What you do is rapidly alternate between two notes in a scale in one breath.

 


The Japanese Shakuhachi

The Shakuhachi is an end-blown flute made out of bamboo. The Shakuhachi has no duct and therefore has a lower pitch control when compared to the Recorder. Although the 'Bamboo flute' came to Japan through China, they developed it on their own and named it the 'Shakuhachi', which means 'one-eight('-hachi') of 30.3 centimeters('Shaku-')' in English. The traditional Japanese genre 'honkyoku'(a form of soloist music) uses the Shakuhachi the most. The passage of time saw the transition of the Shakuhachi from traditional Japanese music to pop music and Hollywod soundtracks, including 'The Last Samurai' and 'Memoirs of a Geisha'. The Shakuhachi can be dated back to times of the Komusō(traveling monks) in the Edo period. They would play the shakuhachi as they believed its sounds to be the path to enlightenment.

The characteristic sound of the shakuhachi is drawn by accepting what most other flutes try to avoid. It uses the empty notes that resemble the sound of wind or the tapping or beating that happens when you tap your fingers on the holes. The shakuhachi uses all these elements to portray not just one sound, but a whole scenery of music.

 


Bansuri

The Indian version of the bamboo flute, the Bansuri ranges from 12 inches to 40 inches, the 20 inch one being the most common. The regular Bansuri has six holes and both hands are used to control them. Depending on whichever holes you have left open or kept closed, the sound is produced due to resonance created inside the column of the instrument. The Bansuri is deceptively complicated, especially once you hear what a professional can do with it. Indian flutists consider playing the Bansuri as a way of life than a simple instrument.

The bansuri is perhaps the most popular flute played in India, apart from the Shehnai which is an oboe without keys. The main reason for its popularity is its link to the Hindu god Krishna, who often enthralled the women and animals when he played the flute. Lord Krishna is one of the most revered gods and therefore, the people's love for him translates to their love for the flute.





Dizi

Another Asian flute made of bamboo would be the Dizi. It was created and is most popular in China. The instrument is also a six fingered flute, side-blown and has one membrane hole. While the Dizi is played horizontal, it has a vertical counterpart called the 'Xiao', which is the flute that the Shakuhachi originated from. Historical records show the Dizi is as old as 9,000 years old, although nothing much has changed about it. The Dizi still remains as the six-holed flute popular to the Chinese.
If you ever get to see a dizi flutist around you, he/she, in some way, will be inspired by the 'Dragon Flute' or Ron Korb, who made the dizi famous across the western part of the world by using it as the lead instrument in many of his compositions.



Fife

It is small, but do not underestimate its power! Ever wondered why the Fife is used during military drills and in marching bands? Because the fife has a high-pitched sound and sheer power to it that can get it heard over almost everything except a jet plane. In fact, early warfare records say that the Fife(coupled with drums) can be heard over 3 miles away, over all the artillery fire!
Orchestra fifes are in A flat, while the marching band fifes are in B flat, which means its lowest note playable is a B flat. What's unique about the fife is its crudeness. The fife is built such that it fits in your pocket and makes a sound louder than any other instrument. Of course these requirements come with the drawback of the fife not being able to play more than a few pitches of chromatics and for the ones that you can play, you'll find yourself to be grossly out of tune.



Irish Tin Whistle

Also known as the Scottish Penny whistle or just tin whistle, this instrument has everything to do with Celtic folk music. It is and end-blown fipple flute that is cheap(under $10 most of the time), easy to pick up and easy to master.
Earlier records of the creation or the existence of the tin whistle are hard to pin-point. In fact, the German bone flute mentioned above can actually be said to be the earliest fipple flute that closely resembles the tin whistle. If you want to hear the tin whistle in Celtic-style action, listen to the Dropkick Murphys or The Tossers.

Interesting video on Flute

Physical Description

Step-Up Flutes

Flutists who progress beyond the basics are usually excited to discover the benefits step-up flutes offer them.   Among them are a fuller and richer sound, quicker and more sure response, extended range, and a sense of increased control — all of which creates more enjoyment in playing and increased encouragement to practice.

Step-up flutes are available in three levels: intermediate, performer, and top-line.  While most beginner flutes are made of nickel silver, step-up flutes are made of increasing amounts of solid silver.  Solid silver vibrates more freely, creating a fuller, more pleasing tone with more harmonics.

 An intermediate flute typically has a solid silver head joint.  This step makes a dramatic difference in tone and response that often surprises and thrills a flutist playing one for the first time.  Band directors, fellow musicians, and those with a musical ear notice the improvement in tone immediately. 

The next step up, performer flutes, have solid silver head joints, bodies and foot joints.  They offer additional improvements in tone and response. This level is appropriate for young musicians who take their music seriously.

Music majors or professionals most often play top-line flutes, although others sometimes choose them too.  Top-line flutes have solid silver head joints, bodies, foot joints, and keys.  They provide the best response and tone, and the special attention they get in manufacturing is meant to make them the ultimate instruments.  

A low-B foot is an option that is included with most step-up flutes from intermediate to top-line.  The "low B" is actually an additional key at the end of the flute; to accommodate it, the foot joint is slightly longer.  As well as giving the flutist the additional note, it improves the overall tone of the flute.  

"Open hole" refers to holes in the middle of the keys; the flutist covers them with the fingers when playing.  Open hole/closed hole can be a matter of player preference, although most fine flutists play open hole.  Flutists often say open-hole gives them better flexibility and control of the sound.  An open-hole flute is a safe choice because it can be played as a closed-hole flute by inserting plugs.  Plugs are also helpful in giving a flutist time to adapt to open holes.  

A good model for junior high students likely to continue on flute into high school is an intermediate open-hole flute with a low-B foot.   This model will keep up with their developing abilities and should not have to be replaced unless the student decides to pursue music after high school.   For students who are serious about their music or who might play past high school, a performer open-hole flute with low B foot is a good choice. 

Some schools with strong music programs like their players to play similar brands and models of instruments so the sound blends well and the instruments are in perfect tune with each other.  

A step-up flute, whether intermediate, performer, or top-line, should last— with regular maintenance step-up instruments shouldn't have to be replaced.

A flautist (or flutist, flute player) is a musician who plays any instrument in the flute family.

"Flautist" versus "flutist"

The choice of "flautist" (adopted during the eighteenth century from the Italian word flautista, itself from flauto) versus "flutist" is a source of dispute among players of the instrument. "Flutist" is the earlier term in the English language, dating from at least 1603 while "flautist" is not recorded before 1860, when it was used by Nathaniel Hawthorne in The Marble Faun. Richard Rockstro, in his three-volume treatise The Flute written in England in 1890, uses "flute-player."

The first edition of the OED lists "fluter" as dating from circa 1400 and Fowler's Modern English Usagestates that "there seems no good reason" why "flautist" should have prevailed over "fluter" or "flutist." According to Webster's Dictionary of English Usagehowever, flautist is the preferred term in British English; and, in American English, while both terms are used, "flutist" is "by far the more common."

Also seen from around the mid seventeenth century was "flutenist," but this fell out of use by the end of the eighteenth century.

While the term "flautist" is not found in print before 1860, there is no doubt, considering the influence of the Italian and French schools of flute playing, that the Italian term flautista and French term flûtiste would have been well known in England long before this date. Because many significant composers during the Renaissance and Baroque periods were Italian or trained in Italy, most commonly used musical terms in English speaking countries are Italian in origin.

Today, most players use the term which is dominant in their country of origin, or simply use the neutral "flute player." Famous flute players have frequently entered the debate expressing their own personal views; for instance, Nancy Toff, an American, devotes more than a page of her book The Flute Book to the subject, commenting that she is asked "Are you a flutist or a flautist?" on a weekly basis. She prefers "flutist": "Ascribe my insistence either to a modest lack of pretension or to etymological evidence; the result is the same." Toff, who is also an editor for Oxford University Press, describes in some detail the etymology of words for the flute, comparing the OED, Fowler's Modern English Usage,Evans' Dictionary of Contemporary American Usage, and Copperud's American Usage and Style: The Consensus before arriving at her conclusion: "I play the flute, not the flaut; therefore, I am a flutist not a flautist."

Echoing the Toff quote above, James Galway summed up the way he feels about "flautist," saying: "I am a flute player not a flautist. I don't have a flaut and I've never flauted."