Acoustics of baroque, classical and modern flutes

classical flute
flared foot

Index
Music Acoustics UNSW

modern B modern C classical C classical D classical flared baroque B3
D4 E4 F4 F#4 G4 A4 B4
C5 C#5 D5 E5 F5 F#5 G5 A5 B5
C6 C#6 D6 E6 F#6 G6 A6

classical flute with a flared foot

  Each results page has the acoustic response of the flute for the fingering indicated with a sound spectrum and a sound clip for the note played with that fingering.

The classical flute studied has three different foot joints. The D joint is shorter. The flared C foot was studied most comprehensively. This foot was not designed to play C4 or C#4, but rather to affect the timbre of notes near D4.

Non-standard fingerings

C5 F#4 F#5 F#6

Flutists may suggest other fingerings for study.

Multiphonics

A#4 & E5 C5, C6 & D#6

C#5 & E6
A#4, A#5 & F6 C5 & D6

D5 & F5
C5 & F5 C5 & D#6

D5, C6, F6 & A#6
C5 & F#5 C#5, D5, C#6 & D6

D5 & E6

C5, B5 & G6

C#5, E5, C#6 & E6 D#5, D6, G6 & A#6

Flutists may suggest other multiphonics for study.

The flutes

Results are presented for these flutes:
 modern B  modern C  classical C  classical D  classical flared  baroque
A modern flute with a B foot. (Larger data set) A modern flute with a C foot. A classical flute with a C foot. A classical flute with a D foot. A classical flute with a flared foot. (Larger data set) A baroque flute.
To compare flutes, it is easiest to open a separate browser window for each instrument.
Baroque, classical and modern flutes are described in The anatomy and evolution of the flute.
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Joe Wolfe / J.Wolfe@unsw.edu.au 		Recent additions
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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.