Best Key For Flute To Play In
Problems playing these files? See.In the nineteenth century Theobald Boehm began to make flutes. Keys were added to the flute, and the taper was changed to strengthen its lower register.With the ability to (beginning in the 1890s), flutes began to regain a popularity not seen since the classical era. Recordings of flute music became increasingly common, with professional flautists spending a great deal of time recording music. The 20th century brought the first recordings of Baroque music on modern flutes.Boehm flute.
Main article:The dimensions and key system of the modern western concert flute and its close relatives are almost completely the work of the great flautist, composer, acoustician, and silversmith, who patented his system in 1847. Minor additions to and variations on his key system are common, but the acoustical structure of the tube remains almost exactly as he designed it. Major innovations were the change to metal instead of wood, large straight tube bore, 'parabolic' tapered headjoint bore, very large tone holes covered by keys, and the linked key system, which simplified fingering somewhat. The most substantial departures from Boehm's original description are the universal elimination of the 'crutch' for the left hand and almost universal adoption of Briccialdi's thumb key mechanism and a closed-standing G ♯ key over an additional G ♯ tone hole.
Choosing a Flute for Irish Music. Some people prefer to play Boehm-system flutes, which is the key system on the modern silver flute. The flute shown below is a wooden Boehm-system model made by Chris Abell of Asheville, North Carolina. The vast majority of traditional Irish flute players use a wooden, simple-system flute, like the flutes shown here, made by Chris Wilkes. Most beginning flutes are nickel or silver plated nickel. Pure silver (sterling silver) is the next quality up. If you are purchasing an intermediate flute, first go for an all silver headjoint and silver plated body and keys. Then all silver headjoint and body with plated keys, then all silver flute.
Boehm's, with minor variations, remains regarded as the most effective system of any modern woodwind, allowing trained instrumentalists to perform with facility and extraordinary velocity and brilliance in all keys.The modern flute has three plus C 7–C ♯ 7–D 7 in the fourth octave. Many modern composers used the high D ♯ 7; while such extremes are not commonly used, the modern flute can perform up to an F ♯ 7 in its fourth octave.19th century variants. A flute player playing a Western concert fluteThe flute is a transverse (or side-blown) woodwind instrument that is closed at the blown end. It is played by blowing a stream of air over the. The pitch is changed by opening or closing keys that cover circular (there are typically 16 tone holes).
Opening and closing the holes produces higher and lower pitches. The direction and intensity of the airstream also affects the pitch, timbre, and dynamics.The is also commonly used in Western orchestras and bands. Alto flutes, pitched a fourth below the standard flute, and bass flutes, an octave below, are also used occasionally. (B 3) C 4–C 7 (F 7) (B 3) C 4–C 7 (F 7–C 8)The standard concert flute, also called C flute, Boehm flute, silver flute, or simply flute, is pitched in C and has a range of about three and a half octaves starting from the note C 4.
The flute's highest pitch is usually given as either C 7 or (sometimes) D 7; however, more experienced flutists are able to reach up to F# 7. Some notes above this up to C 8 are possible with extreme effort, but suffer greatly in tone, and are not typically considered part of the flute's range. Modern flutes may have a longer foot joint, a B-foot, with an extra key to reach B 3. Main article:From high to low, the members of the concert flute family include:. in C or D ♭. in G.
Best Key For Flute To Play In Guitar
in E ♭. Concert flute in C, described above. (also called tenor flute) in B ♭ or A. in G. in C. in G.
in C (also called octobass flute). in G (also called double contra-alto flute) or C (also called double contrabass flute). in C (also called octocontrabass flute or subcontrabass flute). in CEach of the above instruments has its own range. The piccolo reads music in C (like the standard flute), but sounds one octave higher.
The alto flute is in the key of G, and the low register extends to the G below middle C; its highest note is a high G (4 above the treble staff). The bass flute is an octave lower than the concert flute, and the contrabass flute is an octave lower than the bass flute.Less commonly seen flutes include the in G, pitched one octave higher than the alto flute;, between the treble and concert; and tenor flute or in B ♭ or A, pitched between the concert and alto.The lowest sizes (larger than the bass flute) have all been developed in the 20th century; these include the, which is pitched in F, between the bass and contrabass; (pitched in G or C), (pitched in G, one octave below the alto), and in C, one octave lower than the contrabass. The flute sizes other than the concert flute and piccolo are sometimes called.Construction and materials. A closed hole 'Take-down' Yamaha FL221 flute in caseConcert flutes have three parts: the headjoint, body, and foot joint. The headjoint is sealed by a cork (or plug which may be made out of various plastics, metals, or less commonly woods). It is possible to make fine adjustments to tuning by adjusting the headjoint cork, but usually it is left in the factory-recommended position around 17.3 mm (0.68 in) from the centre of the embouchure hole for best scale.
Gross, temporary adjustments of pitch are made by moving the headjoint in and out of the headjoint tenon. The flutist makes fine or rapid adjustments of pitch and timbre by adjusting the embouchure and/or position of the flute in relation to himself or herself, i.e., side and out. Close-up of part of the body and the C-foot joint. The instrument features plateau keys with Y-arms, trill keys, and soldered tone holes. The image depicts the D-key adjustment screw, and needle springs.The head-joint tube is tapered slightly towards the closed end. Described the shape of the taper as parabolic. Examination of his flutes did not reveal a true parabolic curve, but the taper is more complex than a truncated cone.
The head joint is the most difficult part to construct because the lip plate and tone hole have critical dimensions, edges, and angles which vary slightly between manufacturers and in individual flutes, especially where they are handmade. Head joint geometry appears particularly critical to acoustic performance and tone, but there is no clear consensus on a particular shape amongst manufacturers. Acoustic impedance of the embouchure hole appears the most critical parameter. Critical variables affecting this acoustic impedance include: chimney length (hole between lip-plate and head tube), chimney diameter, and radiuses or curvature of the ends of the chimney.
Generally, the shorter the hole, the more quickly a flute can be played; the longer the hole, the more complex the tone. Finding a particularly good example of a flute is dependent on play-testing. Head joint upgrades are usually suggested as a way to improve the tone of an instrument.Cheaper student models may be purchased with a curved head to allow younger children with shorter arms to play them.
Tubing materials Less expensive flutes are usually constructed of, and then silver-plated and to prevent or silver-plated (nickel-bronze, 63%, 29%, 5.5%, 1.25%,.75%, alloyed, ). Flutes that are more expensive are usually made of more precious metals, most commonly solid (92.5% silver), and other alloys including French silver (95% silver, 5% copper), ' (90% silver), or (95.8% silver). It is reported that old Louis Lot French flutes have a particular sound by nature of their specific silver alloy.
Gold/silver flutes are even more expensive. They can be either gold on the inside and silver on the outside, or vice versa. All-gold and all-platinum flutes also exist.
Flutes can also be made out of wood, with African blackwood (grenadilla or ) being the most common today. Formerly was used but this is hard to obtain today. Wooden flutes were far more common before the early 20th century.
The silver flute was introduced by Boehm in 1847, but did not become common until later in the 20th century. Wm. S. Haynes, a flute manufacturer in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, told that in 1905 he made one silver flute to every 100 wooden flutes, but in the 1930s, he made one wooden flute to every 100 silver flutes.Unusual tubing materials include, and.Professionals tend to play more expensive flutes. However, the idea that different materials can significantly affect sound quality is under some contention, and some argue that different metals make less difference in sound quality than different flutists playing the same flute.
Even Verne Q. Powell, a flute maker, admitted (In Needed: A Gold Flute or a Gold Lip? ) that 'As far as tone is concerned, I contend that 90 percent of it is the man behind the flute'.Most metal flutes are made of alloys that contain significant amounts of copper or silver. These alloys are biostatic because of the and thus suppress growth of unpleasant, fungi, and bacteria.Good quality flutes are designed to prevent or reduce between the tube and key mechanism.Pad materials Tone holes are stopped by pads constructed of fish skin (gold-beater's skin) over felt or silicone rubber on some very low-cost or “ruggedized” flutes.
Accurate shimming of pads on professional flutes to ensure pad sealing is very demanding of technician time. In the time-honored method, pads are seated on paper shims sealed with shellac. A recent development is 'precision' pads fitted by a factory-trained technician. Student flutes are more likely to have pads bedded in thicker materials like wax or hot melt glue. Larger-sized closed-hole pads are also held in with screws and washers. Synthetic pads appear more water-resistant but may be susceptible to mechanical failure (cracking).
Keywork The keys can be made of the same or different metals as the tubing, nickel silver keys with silver tubing, for example. Flute key axles (or 'steels') are typically made of drill rod or stainless steel. These mechanisms need periodic disassembly, cleaning, and relubrication, typically performed by a trained technician, for optimal performance. James Phelan, a flute maker and engineer, recommends single-weight motor oil (SAE 20 or 30) as a key lubricant demonstrating superior performance and reduced wear, in preference to commercial key oils).The keywork is constructed by lost-wax castings and machining, with mounting posts and ribs silver-soldered to the tube.
On the best flutes, the castings are forged to increase their strength.Most keys have needle springs made of, or a alloy. The B thumb keys typically have flat springs. Phosphor bronze is by far the most common material for needle springs because it is relatively inexpensive, makes a good spring, and is resistant to corrosion. Unfortunately, it is prone to metal fatigue. Stainless steel also makes a good spring and is resistant to corrosion. Gold springs are found mostly in high-end flutes because of gold's cost. Mechanical options.
Comparison of a C foot and a B foot (right) B ♭ thumb key The B ♭ thumb key (invented and pioneered by ) is practically standard today. Open hole keys versus plateau keys Open-hole 'French model' flutes have circular holes in the centers of five of the keys. These holes are covered by the fingertips when the keys are depressed. Open-hole flutes are frequently chosen by concert-level flutists, although this preference is less prevalent in Germany, Italy, and Eastern Europe. Students may use temporary plugs to cover the holes until they can reliably cover the holes with the fingertips. Some flutists claim that open-hole keys permit louder and clearer sound projection in the lower. Open-hole keys are needed for traditional Celtic music and other ethnic styles and some modern concert pieces that require harmonic overtones or 'breathy' sounds.
They can also facilitate alternate fingerings, ' such as, and multiphonics. Closed holes (plateau keys) permit a more relaxed hand position for some flutists, which can help their playing. Offset G versus in-line G keys All of Boehm’s original models had offset G keys, which are mechanically simpler, and permit a more relaxed hand position, especially for flutists with small hands.
Some players prefer the hand position of the in-line G. For many years, there was a misperception that inline G was for 'professional' flutes while offset G was for 'student' models, but this stereotype has been largely debunked. Split E The split E modification makes the third octave E (E 6) easier to play for some flutists.
A less expensive option is the 'low G insert'. B foot The B foot extends the range of the flute down one semitone to B 3 (the B below middle C). Gizmo key Some flutes with a B foot have a ': a device that allows closure of the B tone hole independently of the C and C ♯ keys. The gizmo key makes C 7 easier to play.
Trill keys The three standard trill keys permit rapid alternation between two notes with disparate standard fingerings: lowest, middle, and highest trill keys ease C–D ♯, C–D, and B ♭–A, respectively. Some higher notes (third-octave B and B ♭ and most fourth-octave notes) also require use of the two lower trill keys. A fourth so-called C ♯ trill key is an increasingly popular option available on many flutes. It is named after one of its uses, to ease the B to C ♯ trill, but it also allows some trills and tremolos that are otherwise very difficult, such as high G to high A.
Another way of trilling G 6–A 6 is a dedicated high G–A trill key. D ♯ roller Some models offer a D ♯ roller option, or even an optional pair of parallel rollers on the D ♯ and C ♯ keys, that ease motion of the right little finger on, for example, low C to D ♯. Soldered tone holes Tone-holes may be either drawn (by pulling the tube material outwards) or soldered (cutting a hole in the tube and soldering an extra ring of material on). Soldered tone-holes are thought by some to improve tone, but generally cost more. Scale and pitch The standard pitch has varied widely over history, and this has affected how flutes are made.
Although the standard today is A 4 = 440 Hz, many manufacturers optimize the tone hole size/spacings for a higher pitch options such as A 4 = 442 Hz or A 4 = 444 Hz. (As noted above, adjustments to the pitch of one note, usually the A 4 fingering, can be made by moving the headjoint in and out of the headjoint tenon, but the point here is that the mechanical relationship of A 4 to all other pitches is set when the tone holes are cut. However, small deviations from the objective 'mechanical' pitch (which is related to acoustic impedance of a given fingering) can be made on the fly by embouchure adjustments.) Composition. Of playing a fluteFlutes were rarely used in early. Drummer and bandleader was among the first to use flutes in jazz, beginning in the late 1930s. Was among the first noteworthy flautists in jazz, in the 1940s.
Since 's fingering is used in saxophones as well as in concert flutes, many flute players 'double' on saxophone for jazz and small ensembles and vice versa.Since 1950, a number of notable performers have used flutes in jazz. And and used flutes in big band contexts. In small band contexts notable performers included,. Several and performers have utilized the flute including, and.is probably the best-known rock group to make regular use of the flute, played by their frontman,. An alto flute is briefly heard in ' song ', played by John Scott. The Beatles would later feature a flute more prominently in their single '.Other groups that have used the flute in pop and rock songs include, Australian groups and, the Canadian group, Dutch bands and early, and the British groups, (although their flautist/saxophonist, was French), and.See also.Notes.
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Powell, Ardal, Dr. Retrieved 15 November 2006. Powell, Ardal, Dr. Retrieved 15 November 2006.
Powell, Ardal, Dr. Retrieved 15 November 2006. Powell, Ardal, Dr. Retrieved 15 November 2006. Powell, Ardal, Dr.
Retrieved 15 November 2006. ^. Retrieved 25 February 2011.
Retrieved 25 February 2011. From the original on 25 March 2016.
Retrieved 29 May 2016. Spell, Eldred (1983).
The Flute Worker. Archived from on 16 November 2007. Retrieved 3 November 2007. Wolfe, Joe. Flute acoustics: an introduction. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
16 November 2007 at the. Retrieved 25 February 2011. Goldman, Edwin Franko (1934). Band Betterment.
Carl Fischer Inc. 33. Toff, Nancy (1996). Oxford University Press. Quote from Dale Higbee article 'Needed: A Gold Flute or a Gold Lip', Woodwind World 13 no. 3 (1974): 22.
Phelan 2001, p.58. Toff, Nancy (1996). New York: Oxford University Press US. Nancy Toff (1996). P. 24.
Edward Johnson. Powell, Ardal. 'Vivaldi's Flutes: Federico Maria Sardelli, Vivaldi's Music for Flute and Recorder, trans. By Michael Talbot (Aldershot: Ashgate, 2007)'. Early Music 36, no. 1 (February 2008): 120–22. (at allmusic.com).References.
(1964). The Flute and Flute-Playing in Acoustical, Technical, and Artistic Aspects.
Miller (trans.). New York: Dover Publications.
Kachmarchyk, Vladimir (2008). Donetsk: Yugo-Vostok. Phelan, James (2001).
The Complete Guide to the Flute and Piccolo. Burkart-Phelan, Inc. Retrieved 25 August 2006. Rockstro, Richard Sheperd (1890). A Treatise on the Construction, the History and the Practice of the Flute, Including a Sketch of the Elements of Acoustics, and Critical Notices of Sixty Celebrated Flute-Players.
London: Rudall, Carte and Co., Ltd. Second Edition, London: Rudall, Carte and Co., Ltd., 1928. Reprint of the second edition, in four volumes, Buren: Frits Knuf, 1986. Toff, Nancy (1996). The Flute Book: A Complete Guide for Students and Performers (second ed.).
Frequently Asked Questions about Flutes and Native American Flutes. FAQWalt LaForet, PO Box 222, Chalfont, PA 18914FAQ about Native American Style Flutes (Frequently Asked Questions)To see what my customers say about my flutesand accessories.What key should I get?As far as the key, I would suggest you get the lowest key (biggest flute)you can use. The dimensions and finger hole spacing is noted with eachflute listing. You can use a dowel or a rolled up piece of paper tomark down the finger holes to see if you can comfortably play a particularflute. Even people with smallhands can usually play a flute in the key of A or higher (smaller) and 'normal' size hands canplay flutes up to the G keys as well. These have a deepersound.In order of size starting from the smallest (highest) are: High F#,High D, High C, B, A, G, F#, LOW D,Even if you've never played a w oodwindbefore you should quickly adapt to most any key except the lowest ones. Ifyou have any woodwind experience you will be able to master any NativeAmerican style flute. Flutes in the highest range (High D, High C) have apiping, Irish whistle quality, while flutes in the lowest range have anairy, hollow mellowness to them.
Experience has shown us that peopleusually want the deepest tone that is comfortable to play.The A and G flutes are good middle of the road flute keys, still very easyto play and have a deeper sound than the smaller ones. The F#,low D and lower, being larger flutes, need more practice to master. They arenot so difficult to play as it is a matter of breath control. Again, mostplayers I know have many flutes of different keys and woods.I would recommended the key of A or G for people who never played aninstrument before.