The Flute Family

Most recent answer: 10/22/2007

Q:
I play the flute in my school band but there are 17 other flutes! What other instruments are very similar to the "normal" flute that I play?
- Casey
Fairfield, CT
A:
Casey -

Probably your best bet is to learn how to play the piccolo. The piccolo is similar to the flute except that it’s much smaller and produces much higher notes. You’ll have to practice getting your fingers a little closer together. :)

C Flute:
C Flute

Piccolo:
Piccolo

Other options are the alto flute and the bass flute, but these instruments are pretty uncommon, so your band director may have trouble finding pieces that use them. The alto flute is in the key of G (as opposed to most usual flutes, which are "C flutes"). It is used most often in jazz groups and flute choirs. The bass flute is a full octave lower than the C flute and is even more rarely used.

Alto Flute:
Alto Flute

Bass Flute:
Bass Flute

There are two other kinds of flutes - the Eflat Soprano Flute and the ContraBass Flute, but you are almost certainly not going to be able to find either of these.

This information (and these pictures) came from the Homepage. For more information, look there.

-Tamara

(published on 10/22/2007)