(Public domain image from Websters Dictionary 1911)
It is an open tube with circular holes, which produce different sounds when some are opened or closed with the fingers of the instrumentalist.
Flutes fall broadly into two or more classes, depending on how the sound is produced. The familiar concert flute is an example of a transverse flute, in which air is blown from the mouth across a small hole at the top of the instrument and the embouchure (position of the lips and tongue) is the main determining factor in tone production (as well as having an effect on pitch). End blown flutes, including the recorder and the tin whistle, typically have an arrangement whereby the stream of air from the mouth is directed against a blade; embouchure is less critical, though is still important in mastery of the finer points of playing. [Nose flutes]? exist in some cultures.
The modern concert flute is generally made of silver or another metal, and has a complicated system of keys invented by Theobold Boehm (who gave his name to the system). The standard flute is pitched in C and has a range of roughly 3 octaves starting from middle C. Other sizes of flute include the piccolo (which produces very high-pitched tones), the alto and the bass flute (these two being less common). The precursors of the modern flute were originally keyless but later included between 1 and 8 keys to aid in producing chromatic notes. The most common pitch for such flutes was/is D, but other pitches sometimes occur. These simple system flutes continue to be used in folk music (particularly Irish traditional music) and in "historically informed" performances of baroque (and earlier) music.
The sound of the flute is characteristic because of its sweetness.
See also pipe.
![[Home]](wikipedia.png)