Flute

General info:

The Western concert flute is a transverse (side-blown) woodwind instrument made of metal or wood. It is the most common variant of the flute. One who plays the flute is known as a flautist.

History:

Medieval flutes (1000–1400)

Throughout the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries, transverse flutes were very uncommon in Europe, with the recorder being more prominent. The transverse flute arrived in Europe from Asia, via the Byzantine Empire, where it migrated to Germany and France. These flutes became known as "German flutes", to distinguish them from others, such as the recorder.

Renaissance (1400–1600) and Baroque flutes (1600–1760)

Beginning in the 1470s, a military revival in Europe led to a revival in the flute. The Swiss army used flutes for signalling, and this helped the flute spread to all of Europe. During the Baroque period, the transverse flute was redesigned. It was made in three or four sections, or joints, with a conical bore from the head joint down. The conical bore design gave the instrument a wider range and a more penetrating sound, without sacrificing the softer, expressive qualities of the instrument. In the Baroque era, flutes become used in the scores of opera, ballet and chamber music.With this, composers now wrote music for the flute. These included Praetorius, Schütz, Rebillé and Descoteaux, Quantz, Bach, Telemann, Blavet, Vivaldi and Handel.

Classical (1760–1820) and Romantic flutes (1820–1900)

With the romantic era, flutes begin to lose favor. Symphony orchestra featured brass and strings more, and many musicians did not accept Boehm’s new flute design. Flutes grew more popular throughout Europe as the century wore on, By the end of the century the Boehm flute had won favor and a flute revival was spurred by composers like Debussy.

Linear chromatic flute (Present)

The linear chromatic flute was developed by California instrument maker Jim Schmidt with a chromatic and linear fingering system

Range:

The standard concert flute is pitched in C and has a range of about three and a half octaves starting from the musical note C4 (middle C). In most cases the flute's highest pitch is C7, however more experienced flautists are able to reach up to F7 (and in some cases C8). Modern flutes may have a longer foot joint (a B-foot), with an extra key to reach B3.

Role:

The flute uusually plays the melody. It also plays the high range notes that many instruments cannot reach (C7). It is capable of producing a wide range of tones which have an expressive and sparkling quality.The second flute usually plays an octave lower and accompanies the first flute which plays all the high notes.

Foreign names:

Flöte ----- German

Flûte traversière ----- French

Flauto ----- Italian

Famous pieces: