Acoustics of baroque, classical and modern flutes

modern flute
B foot

multiphonic
C#5 E5 C#6 E6

Music Acoustics UNSW

modern B modern C classical C classical D classical flared baroque B3 B3
C4 C#4 D4 D#4 E4 F4 F#4 G4 G#4 A4 A#4 B4
C5 C#5 D5 D#5 E5 F5 F#5 G5 G#5 A5 A#5 B5
C6 C#6 D6 D#6 E6 F6 F#6 G6 G#6 A6 A#6 B6
C7 C#7 D7 D#7 E7 F7 F#7 multiphonics

Impedance

Fingering
a key depressed
a key not depressed
a part of the mechanism that is not normally touched
Details in fingering legend.

Acoustic schematic
a closed tone hole
an open tone hole

Non-specialist introduction to acoustic impedance
Non-specialist introduction to flute acoustics


Impedance spectrum of a modern flute with a B foot measured at the embouchure hole using fingering for the multiphonic C#5 E5 C#6 E6. Z is plotted in dB, i.e. 20 log(Z/Pa.s.m-3).

This may be compared with the fingering for E5, but with two register holes. It also overblows to E6. It may also be considered as the trill fingering for D5/6 (C#5 to D5 / C#6 to D6) with enough cross fingering to flatten them approximately a semitone. The 2nd, 4th, 1st and 3rd minima, respectively, correspond to these pitches.

Sound

C#5 with E5


Sound spectrum of a modern flute with a B foot played using fingering for the multiphonic C#5 with E5.

Sound Clip

You can hear the multiphonic C#5 with E5 played by Geoffrey Collins.

Sound C#6 with E6


Sound spectrum of a modern flute with a B foot played using fingering for the multiphonic C#6 with E6.

Sound Clip C#6 with E6

You can hear the multiphonic C#6 with E6 played by Geoffrey Collins.


The Virtual Boehm Flute may suggest other fingerings for this multiphonic.
Fingering legend
How were these results obtained?
Acoustic measurements are available for these flutes -
modern B, modern C, classical C, classical D, classical flared, baroque
Sound clips are available for modern B, classical flared and baroque
To compare flutes, it is easiest to open a separate browser window for each instrument.

Copyright © Academic Press. JSV+ Joe Wolfe, John Smith, John Tann and Neville H. Fletcher, Acoustics of baroque, classical and modern flutes
Revised to include the baroque flute 2001.