Alto/Bass flutes

Collin · Post by **Collin** » Sun Mar 20, 2005 12:05 pm

Are alto flutes and bass flutes harder to play than the regular flute?

Thanks
Collin

boglarka · Post by **boglarka** » Sat Mar 26, 2005 12:24 pm

This is very hard to answer. The tubes are bigger, so you need more air to sustain pitches, be heard, etc. They are also heavier, so holding these flutes up may also be a challenge (some bass flutes come with a stick you attach to the flute near the right hand and then rest the other end of the stick on your lap).

The embochoure has to be adjusted as well (when you play picc, the emb. is different than when you play flute also), but it's perhaps a less tight one that you need which many people adjust to relatively easily.

Many low flutes (esp. with curved headjoints) have intonation problems, so learning to adjust to and correct those might be a challenge.

However, they are VERY fun to play once you get used to them. In general, I wouldn't say they are harder to play thatn the flute, they are just different.

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 9:48 pm

I love my alto flute! I started with a somewhat inexpensive model that I had my tech. work over. After the formentioned adjustments, it was fairly easy to learn. Larger flutes have bigger mechagnisms that can have strange adjustment issues. This can be quite frustrating at times. I also started with a curved headjoint, and the intonation drove me nuts! The embouchure is quite different, but not too hard for most people to adjust to. I also know a girl with perfect pitch, and she has a great deal of difficulty with the key being different

, but I am not blessed with that problem.

Collin · Post by **Collin** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 9:53 pm

Hey fluttiegirl... are alto flutes expensive?

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 8:33 pm

My also was a little under $1000 from wwbw.com. I had about $70 worth of work done to it (adjustments, not repair) by my own choice. It is a Jupiter and is the cheapest one I have found. I have had a lot of complements on the sound. Granted, I would prefer a more expensive model (Altus would be my preference), but for an instrument that I only play once in a while, it is great.

bladibla · Post by **bladibla** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 5:50 pm

I personally wouldn't mind playing them. I've always wanted to hear what the lower octave sounds like on the flute.

Although the curved alto looks a fair bit ugly to me..

Collin · Post by **Collin** » Mon Apr 04, 2005 4:17 pm

I don't find it ugly, I find it "different".

bladibla · Post by **bladibla** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 1:49 pm

Different in what way, may i ask? Because if not, i still have that tingling feeling of ugliness associated with alto/bass flutes.

Collin · Post by **Collin** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 3:53 pm

Different, as in that is not what people expect when they hear the term "flute." But, everybody's got their own tastes.

bladibla · Post by **bladibla** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 11:39 am

what should they expect then?

Collin · Post by **Collin** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 11:58 am

I think that for the most part, when people hear "flute," they think of what most flute players in band play, which is the straight line, not with the curved head.

Collin · Post by **Collin** » Sat Apr 09, 2005 12:57 pm

Bladibla-

I'm sorry if I have been sounding rude and argumentative the past few posts. I'm not trying to be, but I'm sorry if I have been coming across that way.

Collin

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:14 am

I recently purchased a straight headjoint for my alto, and have noticed a great difference in the way it plays. The intonation was always a little off with the curved headjoint. As far as being ugly, I think it had a unique quality to it before. I also have a student ho is very small and plays her regular flute with a curved head.

bladibla · Post by **bladibla** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 8:22 am

Collin wrote:Bladibla-

I'm sorry if I have been sounding rude and argumentative the past few posts. I'm not trying to be, but I'm sorry if I have been coming across that way.

Collin

Please, do not misunderstand. I'm only curious as to what makes a alto flute and bass flute different, and so, why would i think you have been rude?

Collin · Post by **Collin** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 3:20 pm

I don't remember where, but I heard a sound sample of a contrabass flute playin the Pink Panther theme song. Talk about AWESOME! The music was awesome, and (if I remember correctly), it was taller than the person playing it!!!