Instrument Family
Concert Flute
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The concert flute is the most popular flute for beginning flute players. This type of flute is used in many different groups such as concert bands, orchestras, marching bands, and sometimes jazz bands. |
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Piccolo
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The piccolo is a smaller version on the concert flute. It plays an octave above the concert flute. The piccolo is only used concert bands, orchestra and flute ensembles. |
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Bass Flute
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The bass flute is one octave lower than the concert flute.
Since the length of the tube is very long, they decided to make a curved head joint. The bass flute is usually only used in flute choirs. |
Alto Flute
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The alto flute is pitched in G. To play the alto flute, flutists must use a slightly more relaxed embouchure and gentler air stream. The finger keys are still slightly spread from the concert flute.
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Treble Flute
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The treble flute is rarely seen. It is pitched a fifth above the concert flute. This flute is normally seen in Scottish and Irish flute bands.
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Soprano Flute
The soprano flute is pitched halfway between the concert flute and the piccolo. The soprano flute is pitched in the key of E-flat, it is one of the only flute that is not pitched in the key C. Sometimes jazz bands will use this flute since it is pitched in the same key as the Alto and Baritone saxophone.
Contra Alto Flute
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The contra-alto flute is pitched one octave below the alto flute. This instrument is a pretty rare instrument, but the use for it is getting higher. It normally is used for doubling up bass lines. |
Contrabass Flute
The Contrabass flute, is pitched two octaves lower than the concert flute. The Contrabass flute usually only appears in flute choirs. This flute is best used when doubled up with another instrument.
Subcontrabass Flute
The subcontrabass flute is pitched three octaves below the concert flute, is more than 4 meters long.
Double contrabass Flute
The double contrabass flute has around 5 meters of tubing. It is pitched three octaves below the concert flute. Some performers use a method called the " beat-boxing " method.
