Acoustics of baroque, classical and modern flutes

modern flute
B foot

A#4

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

Short 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 short fingering for A#4 and A#5. Z is plotted in dB, i.e. 20 log(Z/Pa.s.m-3).

The flutist uses the same fingering for A#4 and A#5, but changes the speed, length and shape of the jet. The first four minima can be played. These minima support harmonics in A#4. In A#5, only the second and fourth minima are important. The two fingerings given are acoustically equivalent: either the left thumb or the Bb lever is used to close the same hole.

Sound


Sound spectrum of a modern flute with a B foot played using short fingering for A#4.

Sound Clip

You can hear A#4 played with short fingering by Geoffrey Collins.

Long 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 long fingering for A#4.

This fingering is sometimes more convenient in rapid passages involving B, A# and other notes. It is, to a small extent, a cross fingering. Compared with the standard fingering, the third impedance minmum is weak, as is the third harmonic in the sound spectrum. The first four minima can be played.

Sound


Sound spectrum of a modern flute with a B foot played using long fingering for A#4.

Sound Clip

You can hear A#4 played with long 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.