The Flute FamilyThe Flute Family

By: Christopher BatesonAnd

Jennifer Rife

By: Christopher BatesonAnd

Jennifer Rife

Standard FluteStandard Flute

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PiccoloPiccolo

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Alto FluteAlto Flute

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Bass FluteBass Flute

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• The flute is the oldest of the wind instruments.

• The flute’s oldest predecessor was the Egyptian flute and was played vertically.

• 12th century- Transverse flute comes from the east to Europe.

• Middle Ages- Flute used as military instrument.

• The flute is the oldest of the wind instruments.

• The flute’s oldest predecessor was the Egyptian flute and was played vertically.

• 12th century- Transverse flute comes from the east to Europe.

• Middle Ages- Flute used as military instrument.

HistoryHistory

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History Cont. History Cont.

• Mid-17th Century- used in operas and court orchestra.

• 18th Century- Flute has 6 holes and 1 key.

• 1830s- flute now has 15 holes and 23 keys

• Mid-17th Century- used in operas and court orchestra.

• 18th Century- Flute has 6 holes and 1 key.

• 1830s- flute now has 15 holes and 23 keys

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Clef and Key

All of the members of the flute family are read in the treble clef.

The bass clef is also written in the treble even though it sounds lower.

The flute is a C instrument and sounds exactly as it is read.

The piccolo is also a C instrument but sounds an octave higher than what is written. Likewise the bass is an octave lower than written

Key and clefs cont.

The alto flute is unique in the fact that when you play it it sounds a perfect 4th below what is read.

Ex. If you play a C it sounds a G.

LET’S PRACTICE!!

RANGE

Flute Construction The flute is about 27in long and is comprised of 3 separate parts.

The first part is the head joint. Parts of the head joint consist of the embouchure hole.

Secondly, there is the mid-section which is where

all the keys and holes are kept.

Lastly, there is the foot joint which lengthens the range to either C or sometimes B.

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Construction cont…The piccolo is much smaller (12.5 in long) and has only two pieces. They are both shaped like a cylinder and the head joint is shaped like a parabolic curve.

How it’s made!

Sound Production

1. Air stream is directed across the hole of the mouth piece

Generator = creates rapid vibration at the head of the tube

2. Deflection of the air against the hole’s edge moves the air through the column

Resonator = air vibrating within the rest of the tube

Sound Production

Vibrating section of the tube will be between the

mouth hole and the first open hole

• The shorter the section, the faster the vibration, the higher the pitch

• Change the length of the vibrating section by pressing down keys

Suggested Resources

How to Play the Flute (video)

The Magic FluteRetold By Anne Getti

Works CitedWorks CitedShepard, Mark. How the Flute Works: An Intro to Flute Acoustics.

Shepard Publications, 1999 <http://www.markshep.com/flute/Acoustics.html>.

“The Sound Exchange.” Philharmonia Orchestra. Magneto Technologies, 2003-2004. 4 Sept. 2007 <http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/

thesoundexchange/the_orchestra/instruments/>.

Gatti, Anne. The Magic Flute. San Francisco: Chronicle Books

Google Images

Youtube (How to Play the Flute)

Shepard, Mark. How the Flute Works: An Intro to Flute Acoustics. Shepard Publications, 1999 <http://www.markshep.com/flute/Acoustics.html>.

“The Sound Exchange.” Philharmonia Orchestra. Magneto Technologies, 2003-2004. 4 Sept. 2007 <http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/

thesoundexchange/the_orchestra/instruments/>.

Gatti, Anne. The Magic Flute. San Francisco: Chronicle Books

Google Images

Youtube (How to Play the Flute)

Fun little surprise!!Fun little surprise!!

• Beatboxing flute• Beatboxing flute