Acoustics of baroque, classical and modern flutes

baroque flute

B5
Music Acoustics UNSW

modern B modern C classical C classical D classical flared baroque B3
D4 D#4 and Eb4 E4 F4 F#4 G4 G#4 and Ab4 A4 A#4 and Bb4 B4
C5 C#5 D5 D#5 and Eb5 E5 F5 F#5 G5 G#5 and Ab5 A5 A#5 and Bb5 B5
C6 C#6 D6 D#6 and Eb6 E6 F6 F#6 G6 no G#6 on baroque flute A6

Impedance

Acoustic and Fingering Schematic
a covered tone hole or key pressed
an uncovered tone hole or key not pressed
a partly covered hole

Details in fingering legend.

Non-specialist introduction to acoustic impedance
Non-specialist introduction to flute acoustics


Impedance spectrum of a baroque flute measured at the embouchure hole using fingering for B4 and B5. Z is plotted in dB, i.e. 20 log(Z/Pa.s.m-3).

From E4 to B4 and E5 to B5, the simple fingerings (i.e. those that do not involve cross-fingering) serve for two notes. The flutist uses the same fingering for B4 and B5, but changes the speed, length and shape of the jet. The absence of cross fingerings allows the second minimum to be harmonic (hence two strong harmonics in the sound spectrum). (Although B4 is in tune, this note must be lipped up.)

Sound


Sound spectrum of a baroque flute played using fingering for B5.

Sound Clip

You can hear B5 played by Matthew Ridley.

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.