Acoustics of baroque, classical and modern flutes

modern flute
B foot

D#6

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 D#6. Z is plotted in dB, i.e. 20 log(Z/Pa.s.m-3).

This fingering is comparable to that for D#4 except for the use of the G# key as a register hole. This creates a pressure node (or flow antinode) about three quarters of the way along the pipe, and thus allows D#6 but not D#4, D#5, or A#5. Comparing this with the D#4 impedance spectrum, we see that the fourth minimum is little changed. The third is shallower and unplayable. The first minimum plays ~G#4 and the second ~G5 but, because it is a cross fingering for these notes, their timbres are darker. Combinations of these three notes may be played simultaneously as multiphonics.

Sound


Sound spectrum of a modern flute with a B foot played using conventional fingering for D#6.

Sound Clip

You can hear D#6 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 D#6.

This fingering, used in trills, is comparable to that for G#4 except for the open register hole. This creates a pressure node (or flow antinode) about two thirds of the way along the pipe, and thus allows D#6 but not G#4 or G#5. Comparing this with the D#4 impedance spectrum, we see that the third minimum is little changed. The second is shallower and unplayable. The first minimum plays C5 but, because it is a cross fingering for this note, its timbre is darker. Both C5 & D#6 may be played simultaneously as a multiphonic.

Sound


Sound spectrum of a modern flute with a B foot played using alternative fingering for D#6.

Sound Clip

You can hear D#6 played with alternative fingering by Geoffrey Collins.

Alternative Fingering II

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 D#6.

This fingering also plays the multiphonic C5, C6 & D#6.

Sound


Sound spectrum of a modern flute with a B foot played using alternative fingering for D#6.

Sound Clip

You can hear D#6 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.