Acoustics of baroque, classical and modern flutes

modern flute
B foot

D5

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 D5. Z is plotted in dB, i.e. 20 log(Z/Pa.s.m-3).

This fingering is comparable to that for D4 except for the open register hole. The register hole weakens and detunes the first resonance. We can also consider that it creates a pressure node (or flow antinode) at the midpoint of the pipe, and thus allows D5 but not D4. Compared with the D4 impedance spectrum, the low frequency minima are less deep and at considerably higher frequency.

Sound


Sound spectrum of a modern flute with a B foot played using conventional fingering for D5.

Sound Clip

You can hear D5 played with conventional fingering by Geoffrey Collins.

Alternative 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 alternative fingering for D5. This is the fingering for the multiphonic D5 & E6.

The open trill key acts as a tone hole for D5 (with cross fingering), and this gives the first minimum in the impedance spectrum. Note that further minima fall at frequencies that have no harmonic relation to this fundamental. Consequently, the sound spectrum shows a fundamental and no visible harmonics, hence the soft 'covered' tone.

Sound


Sound spectrum of a modern flute with a B foot played using alternative fingering for D5.

This fingering plays well (and only) softly.

Sound Clip

You can hear D5 played with alternative 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.