The flute is considered one of the oldest man-made musical instruments.
In 1995, archaeologists found in Eastern Europe a flute made of bone
that dates back some 43,000 to 80,000 years old. Flutes are divided
into two main categories:
Side-blown - Also known as a transverse flute, you hold it horizontally or sideways to play.
End-blown - It is played by blowing the end of a tube or pipe. End-blown flutes have two sub-categories:
Rim-blown Flutes
- Also known as notched flutes, it is played by blowing across the top
of a tube. The air is split because the tube has a notch or a sharp
edge.Duct Flutes - Also known as fipple flutes, is played by blowing air into a channel and the air travels across a sharp edge.
When we speak of modern flutes however, there are six main types:- Bass Flute in C
- It evolved during the 1920's as a substitute for the saxophone in
jazz music. It is pitched one octave lower than the ordinary flute.
- Alto Flute in G
- This type of flute has a history of over a hundred years old. The
alto flute is a transposing instrument, meaning that music written for
it is a pitch different than what it actually sounds. It is notated a
4th above its actual sound.
- Tenor Flute - Also
called the flute d'amore in B flat. This type of flute has been in
existence since Medieval times. It is pitched one step lower than the C
flute.
- Concert Flute in C - This type of flute's pitch is in C and its range is over three octaves, starting from middle C.
- Soprano Flute in E Flat - It has a range of three octaves, it is equivalent to a Concert C Flute.
- Treble Flute in G
- It has a three octave range starting from g1. The G Treble Flute is
usually responsible for the melody. It is also a transposing
instrument, its pitch is a 4th lower than its actual sound.
By Espie Estrella, About.com Guide