History of the Flute
The oldest flutes found are thousands of years old and made of bones. These flutes were used during hunting and magic rituals. Later on, flutes were found made of wood or bamboo, you could hold them to the left or right or even forwards like a recorder.
The official inventor of the flute is unknown, but Theobald Boehm made the most improvements and changes. Charles Nicholson made the flute famous when Boehm watched him play ,and was impressed. For more information on Charles Nicholson, Theobald Boehm & the creation of the flute, click here
The official inventor of the flute is unknown, but Theobald Boehm made the most improvements and changes. Charles Nicholson made the flute famous when Boehm watched him play ,and was impressed. For more information on Charles Nicholson, Theobald Boehm & the creation of the flute, click here
Timeline
1300's- 1500's
- The flute appears in countries such as France & Spain.
- The flute's sound is compared to the sound of the trombone & trumpet.
- The one-peiced, two inch, wooden flute is invented (in the key of D).
- Flutes are often portrayed in paintings.
- The Zwerchpheiff is created (has six finger holes, and narrower structure).
- The flute family expands. The descant, alto, tenor, and bass flutes are created.
1600's & 1700's
- Transverse flutes are found in Germany. These flutes have keys of "D" and "G", a new cylindrical bore, and are made of wood.
- Jean Hotteterre makes adjustments to the flute (made it into 3 pieces, made 6 finger holes smaller, first key was added producing an E-flat note.)
- flute method books were sold to beginners
- The middle joint was divided into two peices, into extra joints of different length, called the corps de recharge.
- Famous flutist Quantz adds a tuning cork in the head joint, and a C# key on the foot joint.
- E- flat key added on foot joint & flute makers in London add three keys to the flute. The G#, B-flat, and F keys. They also remove C# key from footjoint.
- Mozart and Haydn compse music which features flutes.
- J.H. Ribock adds closed C key
1800's
- B-flat lever and left hand lever are added.
- Glass flute are made.
- open holes are invented.
- Theobald Boehm creates his own model of the flute. He experiments with different keys, springs and pads.
- Flutes become very popular in Europe, especially England.
- 8 keyed flute created.
- Boehm creates his own fingering system.
- Boehm finishes his new model and presented it in performance in London and Paris.
- Boehm is very impressed with Nicholsons minor changes & soundes when playing.
- Boehm's model is very popular among German & French flutists.
- Boehm makes even more adjustments to the flute.
- The flute goes to New York where it become very popular.
- Boehm finally perfects his 'modern silver flute'. His final, perfected model is the standard today.
Only minor changes were made after Boehm. Today, flutes are played by everyone all over the world.