Alto flute

The alto flute is a flute that plays a fourth (half an octave) lower than the regular flute.  It is longer than the regular flute.  Some alto flutes have a curved head joint.

The alto flute is a transposing instrument.  This means that basic fingerings are the same for flute and alto flute, which makes it easy for someone who plays the flute to play on the alto flute.  The fingering for the note C on the flute will give a G on the alto flute.

Though the alto flute is less commonly played than the flute, there are many pieces written for the alto flute. Music written for alto flute includes music for alto flute alone, for alto flute and piano, for alto flute and mixed ensembles of many different instruments, and flute choir music. It appears occasionally in orchestral writing.  Maurice Ravel features alto flute in Daphnis et Chloé.  Igor Stravinsky used one in The Rite of Spring.  In The Planets by Gustav Holst there is a passage with three flutes and alto flute playing 4 part harmony.

The alto flute must not be confused with a bass flute which is even bigger and lower.

Other websites

Category:Flutes