Can a flute play a low B flat?

[thefluteninja]

So here's how it works:

Student model flutes have a C foot allowing you to go down to a low C (2 keys at the end of the footjoint)

Most intermediate and professional flutes have a B foot allowing you to go down to a low B natural (3 keys at the end of the footjoint)

Anything below that require extensions. The most common is just a small, removable piece of tubing that is attached to the bottom of the footjoint. (https://powellflutes.com/vqpshop/flute- ... ing-silver) This allows the player to play a low Bb, however they can no longer play a B natural until they remove the extention.

Another way to play a low Bb is with an extension that actually has a key on it. Most extensions like this are built into the flute itself (like this one: http://www.antiqueflutes.com/product.php?id=776). Obviously, because the right pinky is already pressing the low C#, C, and B natural keys, this extension is very tricky because there are no available fingers to add another note... except for the LEFT pinky. The Bb thumb key extension has a rod that extends all the way past the right hand to have a key right next to the Ab key, so to play a low Bb like this you would be using every single finger.

Anything lower than this requires custom made requests.

Hope this helps:)

[dddiam]

You can play a low Bb on the flute (assuming that you have a B-footjoint).

Finger a low B, and bend the note with your embouchure. On most flutes (orchestral or indigenous), you can bend a note down a half-tone. In fact, on the pan flute, all accidentals are obtained by bending a note down a half-tone.

This technique is especially effective if you just want the Bb in order to resolve into a B. It is a nice portamento.

[LarryS]

I wonder if, like with recorder, you can cover the end of the tube and blow gently. On recorder that lowers the pitch by a semitone, allowing an alto recorder to go to E. A bit impractical on flute I suppose...

[LarryS]

Another way would be to use a headjoint with a moveable embouchure hole. You slide it up and down as you blow and the pitch rises and falls. A bit expensive though I expect.

[pied_piper]

Another way would be to use a headjoint with a moveable embouchure hole. You slide it up and down as you blow and the pitch rises and falls. A bit expensive though I expect.

You just described Robert Dick's Glissando Headjoint for flute. They are available for sale for around $1400. See the video on Robert Dick's website to hear what it sounds like.

http://robertdick.net/the-glissando-headjoint/

https://flutecenter.com/products/robert ... -headjoint

[LarryS]

Another way would be to use a headjoint with a moveable embouchure hole. You slide it up and down as you blow and the pitch rises and falls. A bit expensive though I expect.

You just described Robert Dick's Glissando Headjoint for flute. They are available for sale for around $1400. See the video on Robert Dick's website to hear what it sounds like.

http://robertdick.net/the-glissando-headjoint/

https://flutecenter.com/products/robert ... -headjoint

Yes I've seen them in use by the likes of woodwind genius Pedro Eustache