page_title: Western concert flute
section_title: Construction and materials
hierarchical_section_title: Western concert flute / Characteristics / Construction and materials
caption_attribution_description: Take-down flute in case. Also see Western concert flute (This File was originally uploaded by me, J.P.Lon on English Wikipedia, Here.)
context_page_description: The Western concert flute is a family of transverse woodwind instruments made of metal or wood. It is the most common variant of the flute. A musician who plays the flute is called a flautist, flutist, flute player, or fluter.
  This type of flute is used in many ensembles, including concert bands, military bands, marching bands, orchestras, flute ensembles, and occasionally jazz bands and big bands. Other flutes in this family include the piccolo, alto flute, and the bass flute. A large repertory of works has been composed for flute.
context_section_description: Concert flutes have three parts: the headjoint, body, and foot joint. The headjoint is sealed by a cork (or plug which may be made out of various plastics, metals, or less commonly woods). It is possible to make fine adjustments to tuning by adjusting the headjoint cork, but usually it is left in the factory-recommended position around 17.3 mm (0.68 in) from the centre of the embouchure hole for best scale. Gross, temporary adjustments of pitch are made by moving the headjoint in and out of the headjoint tenon. The flautist makes fine or rapid adjustments of pitch and timbre by adjusting the embouchure and/or position of the flute in relation to himself or herself, i.e., side and out.
  Crown – the cap at the end of the head joint that unscrews to expose the cork and helps keep the head joint cork positioned at the proper depth.
  Lip plate – the part of the head joint that contacts the player's lower lip, allowing positioning and direction of the air stream.
  Riser – the metal section that raises the lip plate from the head joint tube.
  Head joint – the top section of the flute, has the tone hole/lip plate where the player initiates the sound by blowing air across the opening.
  Body – the middle section of the flute with the majority of the keys.
  Closed-hole – a fully covered finger key.
  Open-hole – a finger key with a perforated center.
  Pointed arms – arms connecting the keys to the rods, which are pointed and extend to the keys' centers. These are found on more expensive flutes.
  French model – a flute with pointed French-style arms and open-hole keys, as distinguished from the plateau style with closed holes.
  Inline G – the standard position of the left-hand G (third-finger) key – in line with the first and second keys.
  Offset G – a G key extended to the side of the other two left-hand finger keys (along with the G♯ key), making it easier to reach and cover effectively.
  Split E mechanism – a system whereby the second G key (positioned below the G♯ key) is closed when the right middle-finger key is depressed, enabling a clearer third octave E; standard on most flutes, but omitted from many intermediate- and professional flutes, as it can reduce the tonal quality of the third-octave F♯ (F♯₆).
  Trill keys – two small, teardrop shaped keys between the right-hand keys on the body; the first enables an easy C–D trill, and the second enables C–D♯. A–B♭ lever or "trill" key is located in line directly above the right first-finger key. An optional C♯ trill key which facilitates the trill from B to C♯ is sometimes found on intermediate- and professional flutes. The two trill keys are also used in playing the high B♭ and B.
  Foot joint – the last section of the flute (played farthest towards the right).
  C foot – a foot joint with a lowest note of middle C (C₄); typical on student flutes.
  B foot – a foot joint with a lowest note of B below middle C (B₃), which is an option for intermediate and professional flutes.
  D♯ roller – an optional feature added to the E♭ key on the foot joint, facilitating the transition between E♭/D♯ and D♭/C♯, and C.
  "Gizmo key" – an optional key on the B foot joint that helps play C₇.
caption: A closed hole "Take-down" Yamaha FL221 flute in case
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