Alto and Bass Flutes

FLflutist · Post by **FLflutist** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:46 am

Next year at my high school we're going to start a flute choir and we need an alto and bass flute.

Does anyone have any information about the antomy of an alto and bass flute? All I know is that and alto is bigger than a concert flute, and a bass is bigger than an alto and has a curved head ><

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:50 am

Altos can have curved heads too, which is great for smaller players. Altos are pitched in the key of G, so they sound a perfect fourth lower than the concert C flute. Basses are in the key of C, and are an octave below the concert C flute. Not all basses come with trill keys, so it's an option you'll need to decide on...Is it worth it to you, or can you get away without them? Cheaper altos and basses can be had in the $1500-$3000 range, but hand made ones can easily sell upwards of 5 or even 10 thousand dollars. If there's anything in specific you'd like to know that I didn't hit on, just say the word!

FLflutist · Post by **FLflutist** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:54 am

Ehh, I pretty much knew all of you stated as well XD

Well I was wondering like if there was alto or bass flutes come with open holes (hopefully not)

Also if the fingerings are different in anyway with them.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:57 am

FLflutist wrote:Ehh, I pretty much knew all of you stated as well XD

Well I was wondering like if there was alto or bass flutes come with open holes (hopefully not)

Also if the fingerings are different in anyway with them.

Some altos actually do come with open holes, but these are generally extremely expensive instruments. Your average alto will be a plateau model. There are some alternate fingerings that you can (but don't have to) use, just as there are with piccolo, but for the most part, you don't have to learn new fingerings. An alternate fingering chart for alto and bass can be found here:

http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/flute/