What are the features of a flute?
1. Flutes are in the key of C, meaning they are one of the
easiest instruments to transpose on.
2. Music for flutes is written in the treble clef, and is
stereotypically written with a lot of flourishes and technique, as
this can be accomplished easily on the flute.
3. The origin of the flute stems back approx. 30,000 years ago,
but the first "real" flute was made about 5,000 years ago. It was
carved out of bone, and looked more like a recorder. About 2,000
years later, China made the first flute that had to be held
sideways. In the 1900's the first silver flute was made.
4. There are many different types of flutes, such being the
piccolo (which range is one octave higher than your average flute),
the Irish flute and the Penny Whistle. The most common flute is the
soprano, but you may also come across an alto, tenor, bass or
contrabass flute, although once you get to those last two, it
becomes more of a rare sighting.
5. Flutes are used in marching bands, concert bands, small
ensembles, as solo instruments or even in some orchestras. It is
rare to see them used in jazz bands, but it has been done before.
Another rare way of performing on the flute is called "beatbox
flute", where the performer will beat box while playing a
melody.
