page_title: Alto flute
section_title: Headjoint shape
hierarchical_section_title: Alto flute / Headjoint shape
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Yamaha-Altflöte in G, Modell YFL-482H. Aus der 400er-Serie (professionelle Flöten), Kopfstück, Korpus und Fußstück aus Goldmessing, Mundlochplatte und Kamin aus Sterling-Silber, Klappen aus versilbertem Neusilber, geschlossene Klappen, gezogen, mit gebogenem Kopfstück. English: Yamaha alto flute in G, model YFL-A421U. From the 400 series (professional flutes), gold brass headjoint, body and footjoint, sterling silver lip plate and riser, silver-plated nickel silver keys, covered keys, drawn, with curved headjoint
context_page_description: The alto flute is an instrument in the Western concert flute family, the second-highest member below the standard C flute after the uncommon flûte d'amour. It is the third most common member of its family after the standard C flute and the piccolo. It is characterized by its rich, mellow tone in the lower portion of its range. It is a transposing instrument in G, and uses the same fingerings as the C flute.
  The bore of the alto flute is considerably larger in diameter and longer than a C flute and requires more breath from the player. This gives it a greater dynamic presence in the bottom octave and a half of its range.
  It was the favourite flute variety of Theobald Boehm, who perfected its design, and is pitched in the key of G.
  Its range is from G₃ to G₆ plus an altissimo register stretching to D♭₇. The headjoint may be straight or curved.
  British music that uses this instrument often refers to it as a bass flute, which can be confusing since there is a distinct instrument known by that name.
context_section_description: Alto flute headjoints are built in 'curved' and 'straight' versions. The curved headjoint is frequently preferred by smaller players because it requires less of a stretch for the arms, and makes the instrument feel lighter by moving the center of gravity nearer to the player. However, the straight version is more commonly used for better overall intonation.
  The embouchure for alto flute is similar to that for C flute, but in proportion to the size of the instrument. Hence the embouchure-hole sits lower on the lower lip, and the lip-aperture is wider.
caption: Alto flute with curved head.
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