Flute

What is a flute?

The flute, whose roots go back to Middle High German (floite, vloite, flaute), has its origins in the Old French “flaüte” and the Latin “flatuare” and “flatare”, which means “to blow repeatedly” or “to blow continuously”. This is derived from the Latin verb “flare”, which means “to blow”. The flute belongs to the family of distracting aerophones and woodwind instruments in which a continuous stream of air is directed over an edge or blade, causing it to vibrate. As part of the Hornbostel-Sachs system flutes are also counted as cutting instruments.

In everyday language, the term “flute” often refers to instruments such as the transverse flute or the recorder. Another example is the pan flute, which consists of several individual flutes joined together.

The flute is a fascinating musical musical instrument with a long history and great variety. From the majestic sonority of the transverse flute to the grace and simplicity of the recorder, the flute family offers a variety of sounds and playing techniques. Whether in classical orchestral music, folk songs or modern compositions, the flute has gained a firm place in the world of music over the centuries.

The history of the flute

The history of the flute goes back to the earliest days of mankind, as archaeological finds prove. One of the oldest surviving musical instruments in human history is a flute made from griffon vulture bones, which was found in the Vogelherd Cave in the Swabian Jura. This impressive flute from the Aurignacian period is around 40,000 years old and shows that people began making musical instruments and music as early as the Stone Age.

The flutes from the Swabian Alb, which were made from animal bones such as bird bones and mammoth ivory, are an impressive testimony to the creative expressiveness of our ancestors. One outstanding example is the griffon vulture flute from Hohlefels, which was made from the spoke of a griffon vulture. It marks an important developmental step in the history of the flute and lays the foundation for the later development of the notched flute.

Further finds from the Geißenklösterle cave prove that Stone Age people were already making music in the Upper Palaeolithic period. Flutes made of swan bone and mammoth ivory were found, some of which had finger holes to produce different tones. These finds indicate that music played an important role in the lives of our ancestors and was possibly used for ritual or spiritual purposes.

The history of the flute reveals a fascinating variety of finds and developments. Flute fragments have been found made of various materials such as bird bones and mammoth ivory. Interestingly, there are also discussions about finds such as the thigh bone of a bear from the Divje babe I cave in Slovenia, which has been interpreted as a possible flute but is doubted by some researchers.

The importance of the flute also extends to the world of culture and literature. In the Bible, Jubal is mentioned as the progenitor of all flute players, which points to a long tradition of flute playing. Flutes are used in religious cults and rites, both in prehistoric times and by primitive peoples to this day. In literature, the flute is often a symbol of the afterlife, death and transience.

The history of the flute is rich in cultural significance and human creativity, from the prehistoric bone flutes to the ornate flutes of ancient civilizations, the flute has come a long way and has remained an integral part of the musical world to this day.

Sound or sound generation

To perceive a sound, you normally need three things: a sound generator, a transport medium (usually air) and a receiver (in this case the ear). Unlike many other instruments, the flute and recorder do not have direct sound generators such as strings or reeds.

The process of sound production in a flute is fascinating and is based on a complex interplay of air flow, shaping and resonance. Unlike many other musical instruments that use sound generators such as strings or reeds, flutes do not require direct sound generators. Instead, their sound production is based on the manipulation of air molecules through the mouthpiece.

The vibrations of the air molecules form the basis for the flute sound. When a flute is played, air flows through the mouthpiece into the instrument. There, the air hits a sharp edge in the mouthpiece. This edge divides the air flow and causes it to vibrate. The vibrations of the air molecules continue in the body of the flute and are amplified by the resonance of the instrument.

A skilled flautist can change the length of the flute tube’s vibrations by playing the finger holes and keys. This influences the tone frequency. If the length of the flute tube is shortened by opening the holes or keys, the tone frequency increases and the tone produced becomes higher. This principle enables the flutist to produce different tones and timbres.

The resonance of the flute body also plays a decisive role in tone production. The shape of the flute body and the position of the finger holes influence which frequencies are particularly amplified. Each type of flute and each flute model therefore has a characteristic sound.

Classification of flutes: diversity in shape and sound

Flutes are musical instruments that come in many different forms. The classification of flutes is based on various features and characteristics relating to their shape, sound production and origin. Elements such as the blowing edge, the type of air channel and other factors play a decisive role.

Flutes with and without a core hole: different sound production

A key distinguishing feature of flutes is the presence of a core gap, an air channel that directs the airflow to the blowing edge. On flutes without a core gap, the airflow is shaped by the player’s lips or tongue. In flutes with a core gap, on the other hand, the airflow is guided to the blowing edge through a wind channel.

Various classifications and designations: An overview

The classification of flutes is based on various factors such as the type of blowing, pitch control, closure of the lower end and playing style. The number of tubes and the cultural origin also play a role. Flutes can be blown directly or through mechanisms such as valves, similar to an organ. organ be controlled.

Flutes without core gap (edge-blown)

Flutes of this type are characterized by the fact that the blowing edge is at the upper edge of the flute tube. They belong to this category:

Longitudinal flutes like Nay and Shabbaba in the Orient
Notch flutes such as shakuhachi, xiao, quena and yua
Transverse flutes where the blowing edge is created by holes in the side wall

Flutes without core gap (edge-blown)

Flutes in this category use a wind tunnel to direct the airflow to the blowing edge on the labium. These include

Open flutes with an open lower end such as the recorder, bone flute, cane flute, etc.
Flutes with a closed lower end, e.g. vessel flute, ocarina, gemshorn and piston flute

Special shapes and innovations: Insights into diversity

The world of flutes also offers special shapes and creative innovations

Core gap flutes are internal gap flutes where the cutting edge is close to the upper end of the tube
Air vortex flutes use a special air flow to produce sound
Double flutes have two playing tubes, such as the Norwegian overtone flute Seljefløyte and the Slovakian Fujara