Acoustics of baroque, classical and modern flutes

baroque flute

A#4 and Bb4

Music Acoustics UNSW

modern B modern C classical C classical D classical flared baroque B3
D4 D#4 and Eb4 E4 F4 F#4 G4 G#4 and Ab4 A4 A#4 and Bb4 B4
C5 C#5 D5 D#5 and Eb5 E5 F5 F#5 G5 G#5 and Ab5 A5 A#5 and Bb5 B5
C6 C#6 D6 D#6 and Eb6 E6 F6 F#6 G6 no G#6 on baroque flute A6

A#4 Fingering

Impedance

Acoustic and Fingering Schematic
a covered tone hole or key pressed
an uncovered tone hole or key not pressed
a partly covered hole

Details in fingering legend.

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


Impedance spectrum of a baroque flute measured at the embouchure hole using fingering for A#4. Z is plotted in dB, i.e. 20 log(Z/Pa.s.m-3).

This is a severe cross fingering: three holes closed (including the key) below one open. As a result, even the second minimum is very flat (this fingering cannot be used for A#5) and so the second and subsequent harmonics in the sound spectrum below are weak, hence a very dark timbre. For more detail on cross fingering see that section in the introduction to flute acoustics, or download a brief scientific report on cross fingerings. (This note must be lipped down.)

Sound


Sound spectrum of a baroque flute played using fingering for A#4.

Sound Clip

You can hear A#4 played by Matthew Ridley.

Bb4 Fingering

baroque flute

Impedance


Acoustic and Fingering Schematic
a covered tone hole or key pressed
an uncovered tone hole or key not pressed
a partly covered hole

Details in fingering legend.

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

Impedance spectrum of a baroque flute measured at the embouchure hole using fingering for Bb4.

Depressing the key and opening its hole raises the frequency of the first minimum slightly, and hence sharpens A# slightly to Bb. Again the impedance spectrum is inharmonic, so the spectrum is weak at high frequencies and the timbre is dark.

Sound


Sound spectrum of a baroque flute played using fingering for Bb4.

Sound Clip

You can hear Bb4 played by Matthew Ridley.


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.