Flute is a woodwind instrument that serves as a soprano voice in many bands, orchestras, and woodwind groups. Most flutes are made of metal. They consist chiefly of a tube with a mouthpiece near one end. The mouthpiece has an oval hole. A musician holds the flute in a horizontal position and blows across the hole. At the same time, the player presses levers called keys that are positioned along the tube. The keys open and close tone holes to produce different notes.
The concert flute in C is the most popular flute. It has a range of three octaves. Other members of the flute family include the piccolo, the alto flute, and the bass flute. The piccolo resembles a small concert flute but is pitched one octave higher. The alto flute is pitched a fourth lower than the concert flute. The bass flute is pitched an octave below the concert flute.
Wooden flutes were played in such countries as ancient Egypt, China, and Greece. They became widely used in Europe during the mid-1700's. In the mid-1800's, Theobald Boehm, a German musician, developed the first cylindrical metal flute. Boehm also developed the system of keys and tone holes used in today's flutes.
______________
Thanks to..
Andre P. Larson, "Flute," World Book Online Americas Edition, http://www.aolsvc.worldbook.aol.com/wbol/wbPage/na/ar/co/201960, January 18, 2002.
Piccolo
Piccolo is the smallest of the woodwind instruments and the highest in pitch. It measures about 12 inches (30 centimeters) long.
The piccolo is a member of the flute family. It is about half the length of the common concert flute and is played in the same way. The piccolo sounds an octave higher than the concert flute, producing a bright, penetrating tone. The piccolo came into use as an orchestral instrument in the late 1700's and early 1800's. The instrument is also used in concert and military bands.
______________
Thanks to...
Andre P. Larson, "Piccolo," World Book Online Americas Edition, http://www.aolsvc.worldbook.aol.com/wbol/wbPage/na/ar/co/429000, January 18, 2002.
