Early Music (Beginning to 1600)
The earliest flutes and recorders may have been played as early as 900 BC in China, and as
early as 1100 AD in Europe.
The first transverse flutes were one-piece, wooden instruments with a cylindrical tube.
Flutes were played with a drum in the army, or sold in sets of different sizes for concerts.
Baroque Era (1600 to 1750)
Flutes were still sold in sets of all different sizes. Each flute had 6 finger holes evenly spaced
on the tube.
Range was about two octaves, but many of the notes had confusing fingerings.
The transverse flute became more popular than the recorder because it had a larger range,
and it was easier to play with dynamics and expression.
The holes were spaced into two groups of three for the fingers, not placed accoustically.
1660- Jean Hotteterre added one key for D#, the one-keyed flute also had 3 sections
and a conical bore, which gave it a very light tone quality.
1720- The corps de rechange was invented. Flutes were divided into four sections. Each
flute came with three to six different lengths of the second section to accomidate the pitch
standards in different locations.
Quantz invented the tuning slide in the head joint (still used today).
Popularity of the flute grew, more music was published.
The flute still could not play well in keys with more than three sharps or flats.
Classical Era (1750 to 1820)
The mean-tempered scale (where C# has a slightly different pitch than Db) was replaced
by the equal-tempered scale (where today's enharmonics have the same pitches), more
chromatic keys were created for the flute.
Pietro Florio. Caleb Gedney, and Richard Potter created three new keys for the flute
(Bb, G#, F). This flute was slow to be accepted because most professional flutists believed
that they were good enough players and did not need any extra keys.
Florio, Gedney, and Potter invented the C footjoint in 1774.
The eight keyed flute was invented. Players were still divided between the 1, 4, and 8-keyed
flutes.
Romantic Era (1820 to 1900)
A period of experimentation with flutes, players needed instruments that could play louder and
would allow more changes in tone color and dynamics, in more difficult key signatures.
Many new developments were made in keys, springs, and mechanisms and added to the flute.
The Boehm flute was developed and gradually gained popularity among flutists.
The Boehm Flute
Boehm thought that the flute made some aspects of playing difficult or impossible. He decided
to start over and place the holes where they should go accoustically, then figure out how
to cover them.
He used larger holes that he covered with keys, connected together by rods, springs, and axles.
The Boehm flute had 14 holes and 2 trill keys controlled by 9 fingers.
Boehm also experimented with the bore of his instruments, the shape of the embouchure hole,
and the materials they were made of.
Changes to Boehm's Design
Auguste Buffet placed all the rods and axles on one side of the keys and improved their layout.
Giulio Briccialdi invented the Bb thumb key, still used today.
The French used open holed keys to improve the sound of the instrument.
Modern Era (1900 to Present)
The Boehm flute continues to gain acceptance. Today, it is the standard worldwide.
Modern additions to the design include the split E, roller keys, and the gizmo key.
Many manufacturers have designed their own accoustical scales.
Synthetic headjoint corks (O-Ring) and synthetic pads created.
Performers experiment with different metal selections (ie gold, platinum).
Click here to read more about the history of the flute.
