Acoustics of baroque, classical and modern flutes

modern flute
B foot

A4

Music Acoustics UNSW

modern B modern C classical C classical D classical flared baroque B3 B3
C4 C#4 D4 D#4 E4 F4 F#4 G4 G#4 A4 A#4 B4
C5 C#5 D5 D#5 E5 F5 F#5 G5 G#5 A5 A#5 B5
C6 C#6 D6 D#6 E6 F6 F#6 G6 G#6 A6 A#6 B6
C7 C#7 D7 D#7 E7 F7 F#7 multiphonics

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 B 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.

Sound


Sound spectrum of a modern flute with a B foot played using conventional fingering for A4.

Sound Clip

You can hear A4 played with conventional fingering by Geoffrey Collins.

Alternative Fingering

modern flute B 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 B foot measured at the embouchure hole using alternative fingering for A4 and A5.

This alternative fingering was listed only to show that quite subtle effects (closing a hole downstream of six open holes) introduces noticeable effects to the impedance spectrum above 2 kHz. It makes little difference to the sound (the small differences between the spectra are due to other variables introduced by measuring a human player in musically comfortable conditions).

Sound


Sound spectrum of a modern flute with a B foot played using alternative fingering for A4.

Sound Clip

You can hear A4 played with alternative fingering by Geoffrey Collins.

Diffuse Fingering

modern flute B foot

Impedance


Impedance spectrum of a modern flute with a B foot measured at the embouchure hole using diffuse fingering for A4.

This fingering has a reasonably strong impedance minimum for A4, but it is not well supported by minima at harmonics of this fundamental. The result is a soft 'covered' timbre. The fingering may be considered as that for A#4, but with very considerable cross fingering, which both lowers the pitch and detunes the higher resonances.

Sound


Sound spectrum of a modern flute with a B foot played using diffuse fingering for A4.

Sound Clip

You can hear A4 played with diffuse fingering by Geoffrey Collins.



The Virtual Boehm Flute 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.