Acoustics of baroque, classical and modern flutes

modern flute
B foot

A5

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

Conventional Fingering

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 conventional fingering for A5. Z is plotted in dB, i.e. 20 log(Z/Pa.s.m-3).

The flutist uses the same fingering for A4 and A5, but changes the speed, length and shape of the jet. The first four minima can be played. These minima support harmonics in A4. In A5, only the second and fourth minima are important. (Inaudible traces of the lower note are visible in the spectrum for A5 which has tiny bumps at harmonics of A4.)

Sound


Sound spectrum of a modern flute with a B foot played using conventional fingering for A5.

Sound Clip

You can hear A5 played with conventional fingering by Geoffrey Collins.

Unvented Fingering

modern flute B foot

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 unvented fingering for A5.

The rather small differences in the impedance spectrum, seen well above the cut-off frequency, have negligible difference in the playing regime, and the differences between the sound spectra are largely due to the variation produced by recording live musicians under comfortable conditions.

Sound


Sound spectrum of a modern flute with a B foot played using unvented fingering for A5.

Sound Clip

You can hear A5 played with unvented fingering by Geoffrey Collins.



The Virtual Boehm Flute may suggest other fingerings for this note.
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.