Flute History and Development The flute is one of the oldest instruments we have. This instrument has developed into a very popular sound that is used in a wide variety of music. The first flutes were discovered to be used during the Stone Age in the area around current Germany. These were made out of animal bone and had one or two holes in them [1]. The first flutes would not have sounded good or performed well but the concept of blowing through a tube with holes to cover or uncover to change the sound was created. These flutes are estimated to be around 40,000 years old [5]. These first flutes were blown straight into through one end, similar to a recorder. This is different from the current style of blowing in transversely [6].
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During the 19th century, Boehm studied and perfected the flute to nearly what we have today as the current flute. Boehm realized after listening to a flute with larger holes that the increased hole size gave a better and larger sound [7]. He also figured out that the hole placement should be determined by the sound waves to create good intonation. This was different than previous when flute builders placed the holes where they would be most ergonomically convenient for the player. By the time Boehm was done developing the instrument, there were three sections to the flute; the cylindrical body, the parabolic head joint, and the foot joint. He had also increases the size of the holes even more than his previous flutes and he introduced the concept of covering the holes with padded cups to create a better seal on the holes than previous versions of the instrument …show more content…
From its time of conception to the current versions still being played, the flutes size is ideal for the musician to travel and play. The current flutes can be taken apart into their three pieces and placed into a case for protection during travel. The small size of the instrument and the ability to break the instrument down make the cases very small. Flutes are now just as portable as a laptop is for other professions. The cases allow for middle school children to also take the instrument from their homes to school and back every day without the parents worrying about the child damaging the expensive instrument. The weights of flutes are usually between half a pound and just over a full pound. This means that picking up the case and moving it around does not require much strength or effort. There are flute stands for the flautist to place in the flute in while not playing as well. These stands keep the flute upright and off the ground. The stand is two bars on the floor crossing each other. At the crossing point is a place to slide the foot over. The flute will then stand straight up with only the inside of the foot in contact with the flute stand. The stand allows for the flautist to not have to hold the instrument while not playing and protect the flute from damage from putting more areas of contact of the flute with the floor or table. The flute’s portability has been beneficial to the instruments
During the 19th century, Boehm studied and perfected the flute to nearly what we have today as the current flute. Boehm realized after listening to a flute with larger holes that the increased hole size gave a better and larger sound [7]. He also figured out that the hole placement should be determined by the sound waves to create good intonation. This was different than previous when flute builders placed the holes where they would be most ergonomically convenient for the player. By the time Boehm was done developing the instrument, there were three sections to the flute; the cylindrical body, the parabolic head joint, and the foot joint. He had also increases the size of the holes even more than his previous flutes and he introduced the concept of covering the holes with padded cups to create a better seal on the holes than previous versions of the instrument …show more content…
From its time of conception to the current versions still being played, the flutes size is ideal for the musician to travel and play. The current flutes can be taken apart into their three pieces and placed into a case for protection during travel. The small size of the instrument and the ability to break the instrument down make the cases very small. Flutes are now just as portable as a laptop is for other professions. The cases allow for middle school children to also take the instrument from their homes to school and back every day without the parents worrying about the child damaging the expensive instrument. The weights of flutes are usually between half a pound and just over a full pound. This means that picking up the case and moving it around does not require much strength or effort. There are flute stands for the flautist to place in the flute in while not playing as well. These stands keep the flute upright and off the ground. The stand is two bars on the floor crossing each other. At the crossing point is a place to slide the foot over. The flute will then stand straight up with only the inside of the foot in contact with the flute stand. The stand allows for the flautist to not have to hold the instrument while not playing and protect the flute from damage from putting more areas of contact of the flute with the floor or table. The flute’s portability has been beneficial to the instruments