Flute - Analysis and Buying Guide - 2023
The flute is one of the most agile and mellifluous instruments in the orchestra. You can dance quickly, playing bright and cheerful tunes, or you can gently float warm tones of hypnotic beauty through the air. A novice can achieve satisfactory results fairly quickly, but it can take a lifetime to master all the subtle tonal nuances this agile instrument can produce.
If this is your first flute, you will be looking to purchase a student model because it has specific features designed to make learning easier. If you've been playing for a few years and are ready to move on to an intermediate or professional model, there are a lot of things you'll want to understand and consider before moving on to a new instrument.
The following guide is designed with both the beginner and the advanced artist in mind. It will give you a quick overview of the main parts of this remarkable woodwind instrument, as well as an outline of the various options that are available to you.
After you've read this article and determined exactly what you need, come back up to the top of this page to see our favorite picks.
A Fairly Simple Instrument
According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the flute is the oldest known musical instrument in the world. In 2012, flutes speculated to be approximately 42,000 years old were found in a German cave. These flutes appear to have been made from bird bone and mammoth ivory.
In its lowest register, a flute is little more than a tube with holes in it. When all the holes are covered, the instrument plays its lowest note – C or B depending on your particular flute. As the holes are uncovered, starting at the far right and moving to the left, the notes get higher and higher.
Over the years, many improvements and modifications have been made to the design of this instrument to allow for a greater range of expression.
The Three Sections
Unlike the aforementioned prehistoric flutes, which were built in one piece, modern flutes contain three separate sections called joints. They are the head, the body and the feet.
- Head Joint
This is the part of the flute with the lip plate and the embouchure hole. The flutist rests his lower lip on the lip plate and blows through the embouchure hole to vibrate a column of air inside the instrument. These vibrations are what the ear interprets as notes and music.
- Body Joint
This is the longest section of the flute. It contains most of the keys that the flutist presses and releases in various combinations to create notes.
- Foot Joint
This is the shortest part of the flute. Depending on your model, this part contains three or four keys that are activated by the little finger of the right hand through touch pieces and rollers.
Features Glossary
So far, we have talked about the lip plate and the embouchure hole. Here are some other terms that may be useful to help you get through the rest of this guide.
The keys of this flute have a ventilation hole that must be covered by the performer's fingers. These holes allow the flutist to have more control over intonation.
Plateau or Closed Hole Flute : The keys of this flute are solid, which makes it easier to play.
G-Key Offset : The treble clef of the flute is offset to make it easier and more natural to play. This is an ideal feature for players with smaller hands.
G key in Line : The treble clef of the flute is in line with all other keys. This option is more suitable for players with longer fingers.
Y Keys : In this design, the keys are connecte to the rod through a Y-shaped arm. This is the standard design on most student and intermediate flutes.
Pointed Key Arms : In this design, the keys are connected to the shaft by a stylized pointed arm that extends to the center of the key. This stronger and more durable mechanism is only found on higher end flutes.
Split E Mechanism : Normally only found on flutes with an offset G, this mechanism makes it easier to play high E.
The Foot Joint : This is the standard joint found on most student flutes. Allows the flute to reach a low C.
Foot Joint B : This foot joint extends the length of the flute to allow it to reach a low B. It also improves the overall tone in the highest octave of the flute.
From Student to Craftsman
Flutes are designed with the skill level of the user in mind. A beginner can sound good on a student instrument, but remember, buying an intermediate or professional recorder won't magically make a player sound better. That only happens with practice and growing mastery of the instrument. For the purpose of this guide, we are going to divide the different types of instruments into three categories: student, intermediate, and craftsman.
- Materials Controversy
When it comes to the metals used in the construction of the flute, players and makers alike insist that it makes a big difference to the sound. Nickel silver is believed to produce brilliant hues; silver produces shades that are slightly darker. Gold has a reputation for producing rich, warm tones. Science, on the other hand, has shown that although the material affects the sound, its effect is negligible.
That said, a flutist may subconsciously (or consciously) act differently on a gold flute than on a silver one. This difference could, in turn, affect the tonal color.
So while his choice of flute materials is aesthetic, the aesthetics of the instrument can have an impact on his performance.
Maintenance Tips
Compared to many other band and orchestra instruments, the flute is easy to care for. By creating a simple two-step routine that is performed after each practice session or performance, the flute will hold up flawlessly for years and years.
Take a Sample : The worst thing for your flute is humidity. Unfortunately, there is moisture on your breath. Every time you play your flute, you need to take a sample. To do this, disassemble your flute. Run the corner of a soft cloth across the cleaning rod that came with your flute. Then wrap the rod so there is no chance of damaging the inside of your instrument. Carefully wipe the moisture from every part of your flute.
To ensure there are no gradually developing problems with your instrument, take it to a repair technician once a year for general maintenance.
FAQ
Que. Why do I get dizzy when I play the flute?
Ans. Most beginning flutists waste a lot of air when playing – you can tell by the fuzzy/breathing tone. When you repeatedly and rapidly exhale a large amount of air, you risk hyperventilating. When you expel too much carbon dioxide, the blood vessels that carry blood to the brain constrict, causing dizziness, tingling in the fingers, and possibly a loss of consciousness. Learning the correct way to produce a tone will stop dizziness.
Que. What is the range of the flute?
Ans. The flute can play three octaves, starting with low C – or B if it has a B foot joint.
Que. Will being in the marching band cause my flute to rust?
Ans. It's not the rust you should be concerned about. If the pads that cover the holes of your flute get wet, the water will damage them. If the pads do not properly seal the holes, your flute will stop working. The best way to get through marching band season is to dry your flute with a soft microfiber cloth as soon as you get a chance.
Que. My flute is stained! What do I do?
Ans. Using a silver polishing cloth, gently rub any tarnished areas on your instrument. Be very careful not to rub the pads. The use of liquid or cream polish is not recommended as it may damage the key mechanisms of your flute.
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