The flute family
The flute family generally consists of the following:
The concert FluteSize: About 67 cm but it depends.
Shape: Has three parts: Head joint, body & foot joint Sound: Can be high & crisp or low and spooky. Also can be happy or sad. Other: The concert flute is used as a solo instrument as well as in orchestras, wind bands and flute choirs. |
The piccoloSize: Roughly 33 cm (about half the size of a concert flute)
Shape: The piccolo flute has only 2 pieces: The head & body Sound: Being that the piccolo is the smallest and highest in the flute family it has a very penetrating sound. Other: The piccolo became famous about 200 years ago. It is now regularly used in orchestras, wind bands & flute choirs. |
Size: About 86 cm long
Shape: Very similar to the concert flute but sometimes has a curled head joint (like above) to help reach the keys Sound: Quieter and more mellow then the concert flute Other: The alto flute is a transposing instrument. The sound comes out lower then the notes on the page. |
Size: decently large
Shape: Has two pieces- the head joint & body. It is much bigger then most flutes. Sound: Has a very nice, warm sound Other: The bass flute can be held normal, horizontally, or comfortably with both hands in a lower position (this makes bass playing less tiring) Th bass flute is very expensive. |
If you want to know how several flutes sound you should watch this performance by the Quintessenz flute ensemble: 1 piccolo, 2 regular flutes, 1 alto flute and 1 bass flute.