Flute
(floot)

A woodwind instrument that is held horizontally and sounded by blowing across the mouthpiece of the instrument, much like blowing into a bottle to produce a tone. It consists mainly of a cylindrical tube 66 cm. long and 2 cm in diameter. The modern flute is made of metal and is a non-transposing instrument with a range of middle C to C three octaves above that, sometimes more.

See also Piccolo; Alto Flute; Bass Flute.
Also [Fr.] Flûte; [Ger.] Flöte; [It.] Flauto; [Sp.] Flauta.

Piccolo

Piccolo

Photo courtesy of G. Leblanc Corporation

Flute

Flute

Photo courtesy of G. Leblanc Corporation

More about instruments.

SUGGESTED LISTENING EXAMPLES:

Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067, "Badinerie"
W. W. Norton - 4-CD Musical Example Bank -- Disc 2, Track 2
Debussy: Syrinx
W. W. Norton - 4-CD Musical Example Bank -- Disc 1, Track 52
Fauré: Pelléas et Mélisande, "Sicilienne"
W. W. Norton - 4-CD Musical Example Bank -- Disc 1, Track 63
Miyazaki: Shimabara No Komoriutta
W. W. Norton - 4-CD Musical Example Bank -- Disc 1, Track 20

QTVR EXAMPLE:

Flute

Dictionary Home