Western Concert Flute

The Western concert flute, an instrument that dates back to the mid-19th century, is the most common variant of the flute and a family of transverse (side-blown) woodwind instruments made of metal or wood. There are other flutes in this transverse family which include the piccolo, the alto flute, and the bass flute.

History Behind Western concert flute

The predecessor of the modern concert flute were keyless wooden transverse flutes and are similar to modern fifes. These were later modified to include between one and eight keys for chromatic notes. The flute has been on a fascinating journey but whether it has yet reached its final destination remains to be seen

The “Six-finger” D played today in Irish traditional music and Baroque is the most common pitch for keyless wooden transverse flutes. During the Baroque era, the traditional transverse flute was redesigned and eventually developed as the modern traverso.

Historical development of the Western concert flute;

Medieval flutes (1000–1400)

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 since In medieval Europe, the word  “flute” means a medieval recorder. Medieval flutes had six open finger holes, a cylindrical bore, and were made from a single piece of wood. They were in use from about 1000-1400 CE.

The first literary appearance of the transverse flute was made in 1285 by Adenet le Roi in a list of instruments he played and after this, a period of 70 years follows in which few references to the flute are found. The flute then became used in court music, along with the viol, and was used in secular music, although only in France and Germany.

The Renaissance Flute (1400–1600)

The history of the Renaissance flute begins in Germany. By the 12th- century the flute had become a popular German aristocratic instrument used to perform with the minnesinger fiddle. In the 14th century its popularity expanded west of the Rhine river into France. Machuat included the transverse flute in a list of instruments in La prise d’ Alexandrie, calling it a “fleuste” or “fleuthe traversaine et flautes dont droit joues guand tu flaustes” (in other words… transverse flute or flute you play upright when you are fluting)

The Renaissance period brought about significant changes in flute design. They were still one-piece instruments with a cylindrical bore made of wood, but the bore became much narrower for its length and the finger holes became smaller and separated into two groups common that are much different than the flutes of any other period. Although the flute is traditionally known as a folk instrument, the transverse flute was not mentioned in European writings before the middle ages.

The Renaissance flute is a unique instrument and very different from the flutes of the later years.

The Baroque (Traverso) Flute (1600–1760)

The baroque flute also know as traverso or traversière is  another dramatic change in the flute which  was introduced by French instrument makers around 1670. They crafted instruments of three joints, and then four joints beginning around 1720 these changes allowed players to play in other keys (using cross fingerings), improved volume and tuning in the upper registers, and the sliding joints allowed the flute to be tuned with other instruments.

The Baroque flute introduced a tapered (“conical”) bore that became gradually smaller at the foot end of the flute, and also at the foot end of the flute to extend the player’s reach. It was  apparently the invention of the Hotteterre family of woodwind players/makers in Paris.

 It differs from the Renaissance flute in having a long, narrowing taper from the head joint to the foot and that helps to bring some of the harmonics better into tune. Unlike the typical Renaissance flute, it was also made in sections. Initially, the Hotteterres made their instruments in three sections: a head joint containing the mouth hole, a middle section containing most of the finger holes, and a foot joint with the key for the last hole which, unlike most keys on woodwind instruments, actually raised the bottom note of the instrument by a semitone.

Boehm flute (1794-1881)

Theobald Boehm was a German inventor and musician, who greatly improved the modern Western concert flute and its fingering system. He was a Bavarian court musician, a virtuoso flautist and a renowned composer.

No maker had more creative influence on the present-day Western Concert Flute than Theobald Boehm (1794-1881). He was an accomplished flute player who was also a skilled goldsmith and mechanical craftsman,

 He  added keys  to the flute, and the taper was changed to strengthen its lower register , his major innovations were the change to metal instead of wood, large straight tube bore, “parabolic” tapered headjoint bore, a large tone holes covered by keys, and the linked key system, which simplified fingering moderately. What seperates  Boehm’s innovation 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. Boehm’s key system, with minor variations, remains regarded as the most effective system of any modern woodwind,His steady stream of innovations, from his first flutes in 1810 to the perfection of his “modern silver flute” in 1877 not only revolutionized and standardized the Western Concert Flute, but were applied to all other Western-tradition woodwinds that are played today.

His impact was so significant that the present-day Western Concert Flute is often called the Boehm Flute.

Modified Boehm flute (1950s and 1980s)

Albert Cooper In the 1950s,  modified the Boehm flute to make playing modern music easier which  this  flute The flute was tuned to A440, and the embouchure hole was cut in a new pattern  to change the timbre.  The flute was designed with the orchestral player in mind and with the goal to improve the 3rd  register intonation and response to make playing in an orchestra easier and more enjoyable. 

 This flute is immediately recognizable, because the left-hand keys are plateau or closed and the right-hand keys are French or open.  It features an altered version of the Cooper scale, because of the changes in both the size and location of several left-hand toneholes. Cooper recommended split E, C# trill, and a half-closing thumb key as components of his design, making  these flutes became the most used flutes by professionals and amateurs in this era.

Later in the 1980s, Johan Brögger modified the Boehm flute by fixing two major problems that had existed for nearly 150 years maladjustment between certain keys and problems between the G and B♭ keys. The result was non-rotating shafts, which gave a quieter sound and less friction on moving parts. Also, the modifications allowed for springs to be adjusted individually, and the flute was strengthened. The Brögger flute is only made by the Brannen Brothers and Miyazawa Flutes.

This innovation  option is a different way of shaping the inside of  the toneholes.  This technique produces a more consistent tone quality throughout the range of the flute, especially across the register break at middle C, C#, and D.  Flutists find that this option creates a “freer blowing flute.”  It is standard on our gold and platinum flutes and is available on our silver and 15/85 soldered tone hole flutes at no additional cost.

Characteristics of Western concert flute

The flute has 16 tone holes and is closed at the blown end near the embouchure hole. The tone holes are circular finger holes, which can be used to produce low and high sounds when opened or closed by blowing a stream of air over the embouchure hole. The direction and intensity of this airstream also affects the pitch, timbre, and dynamics and a musician who plays this flute is called a flautist or a flutist.

The Western Concert flutes have three main parts called the headjoint, body, and foot joint. The headjoint is sealed by a cork (or plug that may be made out of various plastics, metals, or less commonly woods) as shown below. Often, a different head can make the flute play like a different flute. Some flute makers sell both end blown heads and transverse heads that can be interchanged. The same flute body can be used as a whistle/recorder style instrument, or as a transverse flute. The most common mechanical options of flutes are “offset G” keys, “split E” modification, and a “B foot.”

The concert flute has two kinds of footjoints which are –  a C Foot shown in the picture or the B Foot which has an extra hole to make the flute’s range go to a low B. The B-flat thumb key (invented and pioneered by Briccialdi) is practically standard. The B foot joint, however, is an optional extra key available on middle to upper-end models.

The modern professional concert flute is generally made of silver, gold, or combinations of the two while the Student instruments are usually made of nickel silver, or silver-plated brass.

• Crown – the cap at the end of the head joint that unscrews to expose the cork and helps keep the head joint cork positioned at the proper depth.
• Lip plate – the part of the head joint that contacts the player’s lower lip, allowing positioning and direction of the air stream.
• Riser – the metal section that raises the lip plate from the head joint tube.
• Head joint – the top section of the flute, it has the tone hole/lip plate where the player initiates the sound by blowing air across the opening.
• Body – the middle section of the flute with the majority of the keys.
• Closed-hole – a fully covered finger key.
• Open-hole – a finger key with a perforated center.
• Pointed arms – arms connecting the keys to the rods, which are pointed and extend to the keys’ centers. These are found on more expensive flutes.
• French model – a flute with pointed French-style arms and open-hole keys, as distinguished from the plateau style with closed holes.
• Inline G – the standard position of the left-hand G (third-finger) key – in line with the first and second keys.
• Offset G – a G key extended to the side of the other two left-hand finger keys (along with the G♯ key), making it easier to reach and cover effectively.
• Split E mechanism – a system whereby the second G key (positioned below the G♯ key) is closed when the right middle-finger key is depressed, enabling a clearer third octave E; omitted from many intermediate- and professional flutes, as it can reduce the tonal quality of the third-octave F♯ (F♯6).
• Trill keys – two small teardrop shaped keys between the right-hand keys on the body; the first enables an easy C–D trill, and the second enables C–D♯. A–B♭ lever or “trill” key is located in line directly above the right first-finger key. An optional C♯ trill key that facilitates the trill from B to C♯ is sometimes found on intermediate- and professional flutes. The two trill keys are also used in playing the high B♭ and B.
• Foot joint – the last section of the flute (played farthest towards the right).
• C foot – a foot joint with a lowest note of middle C (C4); typical on student flutes.
• B foot – a foot joint with a lowest note of B below middle C (B3), which is an option for intermediate and professional flutes.
• D♯ roller – an optional feature added to the E♭ key on the foot joint, facilitating the transition between E♭/D♯ and D♭/C♯, and C.
• “Gizmo key” – an optional key on the B foot joint that helps play C7.

Wooden flutes and headjoints are more widely available than in the past. Some jazz and rock ensembles include flutes. Since Boehm‘s fingering is used in saxophones as well as in concert flutes, many flute players “double” on saxophone for jazz and small ensembles.

Types of Western Concert Flutes

The western concert flute family boasts a wide variety of instruments beginning with the piccolo: The highest pitched flute, playing a full octave above the concert flute.

 The piccolo is typically the highest-pitched instrument in bands and orchestras. Difficult to master, the piccolo has a reputation for being difficult to play in tune, partly due to its small size. 

The treble flute plays in the key of G, a fifth above the concert flute, and is a rare instrument today. Treble flutes are typically found in choirs or private collections. 

The soprano flute: is pitched a minor third higher than the standard C flute and has a very distinctive sound. A few American choirs currently include a part for a soprano flute but other than these appearances, the soprano flute is rarely found. 

 The concert flute, This flute is the standard and by far the most commonly played. It is pitched in C and has a range of over three octaves. 

The alto flute: is characterized by its mellow tone in the lower portion of its range. It is also considerably thicker and longer than the C flute, requiring much more breath from the flutist. The alto flute is pitched in the key of G, sounding nearly a fourth lower than it is written, and has a wide range. Also setting the Alto apart is the head joint that may be either straight or curved.

The bass flute: is in the key of C as well, and one octave below the concert flute. Typically made with a curved head joint, this instrument usually ranges in length around 146 cm or 57 in. The bass flute is usually only in flute choirs as it is easily drowned out by instruments that play in a similar register, such as the clarinet. 

The lowest-pitched instrument in the family of western flutes is the contra-alto. An octave below the alto flute, it has a large body held vertically that rests on the floor. 

How to Play the Western Concert Flute

The transverse flutes are played in a horizontal position and the vertical flute in a vertical position. The mouthpiece side of the instrument is also known as a ” blow hole or mouth hole or embouchure  hole”.  The flutes are played by holding them vertically or horizontally with the fingers of both hands while blowing across the embouchure hole.

The embouchure hole we blow through to play the instrument is located in the vertical flutes like that of recorders, and in the transverse flutes, the one we hold horizontally with the mouth hole at the edge of the tube is located like the modern concert flute in Western orchestras. A sound is produced when the air blown through the blowhole of the instrument hit the sharp edge inside the pipe. The pitch of this sound produced can be altered by using the fingers to open and close the instrument tone holes. It has been the orchestra instrument since around 1700.

Also, in the modern concert flute keys are pressed with the fingers to open and close the instrument tone holes. This version of the flute boasts an elaborate key-and-pad system that works to cover and uncover the holes along the body of the instrument instead of relying on the airtight seal of a finger to block the flow of air. These flutes are typically made of silver-plated brass, with the higher-end, completely silver flutes more popular among professional players, as they are believed to produce a more pleasing tone. This style of flute is commonly used in military bands, marching bands, concert bands, wind and woodwind ensembles. It is also a very prominent solo and accompaniment instrument in the genres of jazz and blues. Although the western concert flute was designed for orchestral pieces, it has gained popularity all over the world in many different genres.

Western Concert Flute Playing Techniques

The flute  allows staccato and legato at the fastest tempo. It is ideally suited for quick arpeggios and chromatic diatonic scales, leaps, or trills. In order to master all this instrument has to offer, one should be well versed in the multiple playing techniques available to them. Some of the techniques available are as follows:

Single-tonguing: A technique whereby the player articulates each syllable by moving only the tongue, while keeping the lips and cheeks immobile. 

Vibrato: Produced by manipulating the tone or volume with the diaphram, larynx and/or lips. 

Sforzato: A forced, short attack followed by a rapid reduction of tone intensity.

Double-tonguing: A method whereby the player articulates the syllables of each note by stopping the breath that plays the instrument with the tip of their tongue. 

Triple-tonguing: The player articulates the syllables te-ke-te or something similar to produce an effect like double-tonguing. 

Flutter-tonguing: By articulating a rolled R, which produces a rapid tremolo. This method is better suited for quiet and soft passages since the volume is lower.

Trills: The flute is especially suited for this technique. Every minor and major trill from D4 to B6 may be played easily. Lower trills are more difficult, being played with the smaller finger.

Glissando: While not a typical playing technique of the flute because the keys are not well suited for sliding transitions, they may be performed smoothly on the open flute by uncovering the tone holes. 

Multiphonics: A technique that allows two or more notes to be played simultaneously.

Pitch bending: A technique mastered by turning the flute towards or away from the flutist to ‘bend’ the note.

Western Concert Flute Care and Maintenance

Proper maintenance of this flute is very paramount to its longevity and functionality.

Generally, flutes need proper and special care and maintenance just like any other woodwind instrument. This woodwind instrument called the flute is a delicate instrument and needs to be handled with utmost care at all times.

In a nutshell, proper flute care and maintenance are required to ensure our flute responds to playing at optimal levels.

General Care Against Split

Flute splitting is caused by the moisture build-up as a result of sudden exposure to the cold atmosphere and playing the flute that is too cold so we need to prevent flutes from splitting.

Specifically, some flute models are coated inside with a hard finish that prevents them from the moisture of playing that causes them to split, when flutes are not coated with a hard finish inside, special care is needed to prevent splitting. To achieve this, we can occasionally use proper oil like the light mineral oil to rub the flute inside.

The best way to maintain the flute against splitting is the proper binding of the flute. This is done by binding the flute tightly with a strong cord. The binding is done once below the flute’s mouth-hole, and once at the bottom end of the flute.

To take care of the flute corks, ensure you place them justly to bring the two octaves nearly in tune with one another while maintaining a good tone. To do this, you may need to take note of the position of your cork provided it moves out of the position.

Note that the cork has to be airtight. And in case it gets loose, we can use tallow, beeswax, or cork grease to coat it.

Western Concert Flute Storage

This flute is properly stored in its designated case after usage. This is very important because the flute can easily get damaged by accident if we leave it out of the case.

The flute is stored in a very dry and cool cake to prevent it from tarnishing. In addition, the case we use to store our flute should also be kept in a safe place.

Proper maintenance of our flute to these standards will ensure its continued performance at the highest level.