modern flute
B foot
F6
| Acoustics of baroque, classical and modern flutes |
modern flute
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F6 |
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Fingering Acoustic schematic Non-specialist introduction
to acoustic impedance |
This fingering is comparable to that for F4 except for the use of the LH middle finger key as a register hole. This creates a pressure node (or flow antinode) about three quarters of the way along the pipe, and thus allows F6 but not F4, F5, or C6. Comparing this with the F4 impedance spectrum, we see that the fourth minimum is little changed. The third is shallower and unplayable. The first minimum plays ~A#4 and the second ~A5 but, because it is a cross fingering for these notes, their timbres are darker. Combinations of these three notes may be played simultaneously as multiphonics.
Sound spectrum
of a modern flute with a B foot played using fingering for F6.
You can hear F6
played by Geoffrey Collins.
may suggest other fingerings for this note.| 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. |
a key depressed
a key not depressed
a part of the mechanism that is not normally touched 
a closed tone hole
an open tone hole