![]() ![]() Trevor James alto flutes are some of the best on the market, at least for their price. However, I love how it has an ergonomic left hand so that my hand and arm don’t have to stretch as far. Unfortunately, some of the lowest notes sound a bit flat compared to the rest of the range. Like most alto flutes, it has a C footjoint so can play down to a sounding G3. This model is all silver-plated except for the lip plate, which is solid silver. But you can also choose a curved headjoint or both headjoint styles. Specifically, it was the 201S since I went with a straight headjoint. When I decided to buy an alto flute a few years ago, I settled on a Pearl 201. But they exist, and they could hold you back from getting a good sound and response.Ĭonsider the following alto flute models. I haven’t seen a ton of knock-off alto flutes, or at least not as many as knock-off C flutes. If you want to try the alto flute, you need a good instrument. Some popular solos for the alto flute include Steeples in My Soul by David Bennett Thomas and Two for Two by Katherine Hoover.Ī lot of unaccompanied works for the C flute work on the alto flute as well, including the 12 Fantasias by Telemann. I like to think of it like the viola of a flute choir since it’s between the C flute and bass flute (like the violins and cellos). I’ve played alto in that setting for a few years. The alto flute is also a standard member of flute choirs and flute orchestras. Famous examples include The Planets by Holst and The Rite of Spring by Stravinsky. Right now, there isn’t a ton of solo music for the alto, but the repertoire is slowly growing.Īs far as ensemble parts go, there are a few orchestral works that use the alto flute. Playing the alto flute also allows you to play more music. I’ve found that working on these things has helped me play my various flutes. ![]() ![]() You also have to use more air to produce a sound on the alto flute. Playing the larger flute can help you work on your upper body strength. An alto flute weighs about 2.26 pounds on average, about twice as heavy. The standard C flute weighs about 1.09 to 1.24 pounds, depending on the materials. If you’re struggling to get a good tone down there, trying an alto flute might help. The lower notes of the flute can sound very warm and rich. However, I’ve found that it also helps me play better in the low register on my C flute. Of course, that can help you get a good sound on your alto flute. This forces you to work on your embouchure to produce those lower notes. Improve Your Low Registerīecause the alto flute plays lower than the regular flute, a lot of what you’ll play on the instrument is in the low register. Here are some of my favorite reasons to play the alto flute. The instrument extends the range of notes you can play, so you can explore more music. The alto flute also has a growing number of solos written for it, though the repertoire is still much smaller than that of the C flute.Ī growing number of flute players are starting to learn the alto flute. More recently, the alto flute has become a staple of the flute choir, which consists of C flutes, piccolo, and bass flutes as well. A few composers used it in orchestral works, such as Gustav Holst in The Planets and Igor Stravinsky in The Rite of Spring. ![]() Rudall Carte & Co was the first flute company to make an alto flute (known as the Bass Flute in G at the time). It’s a bit tricky at first, but you can enjoy more of the lower notes without as much extra weight, such as with the bass flute. If you prefer the low register of the C flute, I’d recommend learning the alto flute next. Of the four, the bass flute is the only one that’s larger than the alto. The alto is a fourth lower than the C flute, while the piccolo is an octave higher and the bass flute is an octave lower. I use a straight headjoint, but I made sure to buy an alto flute with ergonomic left hand keys that are easier to reach.Ī detailed view of an ergonomic left hand of a flute How It Compares to Other Flutes That can make it difficult to reach the keys, which is why many players use a curved headjoint. Since it sounds lower, the alto flute is also longer and has a bigger bore. The fingerings for the flute and alto flute are the same for all of the written notes, so you don’t have to learn a new set of fingerings. Luckily, most composers will transpose the alto flute parts accordingly. Instead, it’s in the key of G, so it sounds a perfect fourth lower than written. It’s the only common flute that’s not in the key of C. The alto flute is a member of the western concert flute family. Read on to learn more about this low flute. However, it sounds amazing and can be a great next step for flute students. The alto flute is a relatively new member of the flute family. So you start to wonder if it’s time to try the alto flute. You’ve been playing the C flute for a while, and you love the sound of the low register. ![]()
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