Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio
F E A T U R E
Explore an Instrument: Flute
F E A T U R E
Explore an Instrument: Flute
History of the Flute
The flute is the one of oldest instruments; the first one dates back to 900 B.C.E! Flutes used to be made out of wood, hence why they are part of the woodwind family. Wooden flutes are still used today with Baroque ensembles with no keys, just holes for your fingers to cover perfectly. Modern flutes are made out of all kinds of metals; nickel, silver, gold, and even platinum and have mechanical keys to help cover the tone holes. There are all kinds of flutes within the flute family as well. The smallest is called the piccolo, but there is also alto flute, bass flute, and the giant contrabass flute that you have to play standing up because it towers over most players. Most flute players get their start in 4th to 6th grade beginning band but younger players can begin with a curved head joint so their arms can comfortably hold the flute.
Playing the Flute
Most beginning flute players have trouble making a sound on the flute at first, but don’t give up! All the other wind instruments create sound by blowing into a mouthpiece or a reed. Flute players have to create their own “mouthpiece” by pouting their lips and blowing across the tone hole. Because of this the flute requires the same amount of air as it would take to play the tuba. The flute is considered one of the more virtuosic instruments, similar to the violin. Composers over the last thousand years have made use of the flute’s 3+ octave range and its key work to write very technical, but fun music! The flute is used in classical, jazz, and even pop music (most notably Lizzo).
Cost of the Flute
Most beginning flutes average around $700 to buy, but renting to own is usually an option at most music retailers. Students who are progressing and want to level up, can get an intermediate model in the $1000-$2000 range. Professional flutes start around $15,000 and go as high as $40,000 depending on what bells and whistles one gets.
Famous Flute Players to Check Out
Jean-Pierre Rampal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r_2Qql4Qq8
James Galway:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI3wIHFQkAk
Emmanuel Pahud:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eChLCFAGyx0
…..and Boston’s own!
Elizabeth Rowe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsNF7k8RNQ8
Paula Robison:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKXw5_eNr74
Learn more about Allison on her Teacher Page.
The flute is the one of oldest instruments; the first one dates back to 900 B.C.E! Flutes used to be made out of wood, hence why they are part of the woodwind family. Wooden flutes are still used today with Baroque ensembles with no keys, just holes for your fingers to cover perfectly. Modern flutes are made out of all kinds of metals; nickel, silver, gold, and even platinum and have mechanical keys to help cover the tone holes. There are all kinds of flutes within the flute family as well. The smallest is called the piccolo, but there is also alto flute, bass flute, and the giant contrabass flute that you have to play standing up because it towers over most players. Most flute players get their start in 4th to 6th grade beginning band but younger players can begin with a curved head joint so their arms can comfortably hold the flute.
Playing the Flute
Most beginning flute players have trouble making a sound on the flute at first, but don’t give up! All the other wind instruments create sound by blowing into a mouthpiece or a reed. Flute players have to create their own “mouthpiece” by pouting their lips and blowing across the tone hole. Because of this the flute requires the same amount of air as it would take to play the tuba. The flute is considered one of the more virtuosic instruments, similar to the violin. Composers over the last thousand years have made use of the flute’s 3+ octave range and its key work to write very technical, but fun music! The flute is used in classical, jazz, and even pop music (most notably Lizzo).
Cost of the Flute
Most beginning flutes average around $700 to buy, but renting to own is usually an option at most music retailers. Students who are progressing and want to level up, can get an intermediate model in the $1000-$2000 range. Professional flutes start around $15,000 and go as high as $40,000 depending on what bells and whistles one gets.
Famous Flute Players to Check Out
Jean-Pierre Rampal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r_2Qql4Qq8
James Galway:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LI3wIHFQkAk
Emmanuel Pahud:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eChLCFAGyx0
…..and Boston’s own!
Elizabeth Rowe:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsNF7k8RNQ8
Paula Robison:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKXw5_eNr74
Learn more about Allison on her Teacher Page.
