Acoustics of baroque, classical and modern flutes

classical flute
flared foot

F#4

Music Acoustics UNSW

modern B modern C classical C classical D classical flared baroque B3
D4 E4 F4 F#4 G4 A4 B4
C5 C#5 D5 E5 F5 F#5 G5 A5 B5
C6 C#6 D6 E6 F#6 G6 A6

Conventional 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 classical flute with a flared foot measured at the embouchure hole using conventional fingering for F#4 and F#5. Z is plotted in dB, i.e. 20 log(Z/Pa.s.m-3).

The first open hole here (RH 2nd finger) is the largest on the instrument. The fingering given below gives a brighter timbre, but is awkward in many passages.

Sound


Sound spectrum of a classical flute with a flared foot played using conventional fingering for F#4.

Sound Clip

You can hear F#4 played with conventional fingering by Geoffrey Collins.

Alternative Fingering

classical flute flared foot

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 classical flute with a flared foot measured at the embouchure hole using alternative fingering for F#4 and F#5. Z is plotted in dB, i.e. 20 log(Z/Pa.s.m-3).

This alternative fingering opens the second downstream tone hole, which gives a more harmonic spacing to the fifth and sixth minima in the impedance spectrum and thus gives stronger fifth and sixth harmonics, resulting in a brighter timbre. However, it is awkward in many passages.

Sound


Sound spectrum of a classical flute with a flared foot played using alternative fingering for F#4.

Sound Clip

You can hear F#4 played with alternative fingering by Geoffrey Collins.



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.