Acoustics of baroque, classical and modern flutes

modern flute
B foot

F#5

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 F#4 and F#5. Z is plotted in dB, i.e. 20 log(Z/Pa.s.m-3).

The flutist uses the same fingering for F#4 and F#5, but changes the speed, length and shape of the jet. The first five minima can be played. All lower minima support harmonics in F#4. In F#5, only the even minima are involved. (Inaudible traces of the lower note are visible in the sound spectrum for F#5 which has tiny bumps at harmonics of F#4.)

Sound


Sound spectrum of a modern flute with a B foot played using conventional fingering for F#5.

Sound Clip

You can hear F#5 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 F#4 and F#5.

This fingering is used in E-F# trills and in some fast passages. This is acoustically equivalent to a cross fingering (hole closed downstream of an open tone hole). The difference between the two F# fingerings is less than that between the E fingerings because the standard F# fingering is also, to a lesser extent, a cross fingering. The first three minima can be played.

Sound


Sound spectrum of a modern flute with a B foot played using alternative fingering for F#5.

Sound Clip

You can hear F#5 played with alternative 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.