Acoustics of baroque, classical and modern flutes

modern flute
C foot

A5

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 C foot measured at the embouchure hole using conventional fingering for A4 and 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.)

Alternative Fingering

modern flute C 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 C foot measured at the embouchure hole using alternative fingering for A4 and A5. Z is plotted in dB, i.e. 20 log(Z/Pa.s.m^-3).

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.