Acoustics of baroque, classical and modern flutes

modern flute
B foot

E4

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 E4. Z is plotted in dB, i.e. 20 log(Z/Pa.s.m-3).

From E4 to C#5 and E5 to C#6, each standard fingering serves for two notes. The flutist uses the same fingering for E4 and E5, but changes the speed, length and shape of the jet. The first five minima (E4, E5, B5, E6, G#6) can be played. All lower minima support harmonics in E4. In E5, only the odd minima are involved. (Inaudible traces of the lower note are visible in the spectrum for E5 which has tiny bumps at harmonics of E4.) To see the effect of Boehm's acoustical redesigning of the flute, compare with E4 on the classical flute.

Sound


Sound spectrum of a modern flute with a B foot played using conventional fingering for E4 and E5.

Sound Clip

You can hear E4 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 E4 and E5.

This fingering is used in D-E trills and in some fast passages. Because the D# hole is closed, this is acoustically equivalent to a cross fingering (hole closed downstream of an open tone hole). Notice the slight flattening of the 4th and the marked flattening of higher minima. This explains the relatively weak 4th and 5th harmonics in the E4 sound spectrum. The first four minima can be played, but the 4th (~E6) is flat.

Sound


Sound spectrum of a modern flute with a B foot played using alternative fingering for E4.

Sound Clip

You can hear E4 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.