The Flute Family
The flute family includes many different kinds of flutes, found below.
The Piccolo
The piccolo works like the concert flute; it is about 33 centimeters long, roughly half the size of the concert flute and is used in similar ways. It is used in orchestras wind bands and flute choirs. Unlike the concert flute, the piccolo has only two sections called the head joint and the body. The piccolo plays an octave higher than the concert flute, but because it doesn't have a foot joint it can only go as low as D.
The Concert Flute
The concert flute is an instrument used as a solo Instrument, but also in orchestras, wind bands and flute choirs.
This flute is about 67 centimeters long, when the head joint, body and foot joint are placed together.
It ranges in three octaves; starting at low C, and working it's way up to high B.
This flute is about 67 centimeters long, when the head joint, body and foot joint are placed together.
It ranges in three octaves; starting at low C, and working it's way up to high B.
The Alto Flute
The alto flute is very similar to the concert flute as well; the difference is it is a bit longer (86 centimeters and has a curled head joint. The reason that the head is curled is so that the player is able to reach the keys. The alto flute is tuned a forth lower than the concert flute, so when you play it, the notes sound comes out a forth lower than the notes are shown on the page.
The Bass Flute
The bass flute is visually similar to the alto flute, but it is much larger. It measures 1 meter and 46 centimeters long when together and has a curved mouthpiece like the alto flute. Similar to the alto flute, the reason for the curled mouthpiece is because the player wouldn't be able to reach the mouthpiece to play because of its length. The bass flute is pitched one octave lower than the concert flute and is mostly only used in flute choirs.
The Contra Bass Flute
The contrabass flute is one of the rarer instruments in the flute family as it is the second largest flute. It sits on the ground and stands up straight with the head curving down to reach your mouth. The contrabass flute is pitched two octaves lower than the concert flute.
The Sub Contra Bass Flute
The sub contrabass flute is the largest flute in the flute family. It is like the contrabass flute only larger. It sits on the ground, stands straight up and the head piece bends downwards so that the play can reach the mouthpiece. This flute starts half of an octave lower than the contrabass flute.