Flutist or flautist?

AmastaJ943 · Post by **AmastaJ943** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 8:11 pm

I heard many people say either or. I always thought
that flautist was the english way of saying it and flutist was the American way.
You play the flute, and not the flaut right? What do you guys/ladies think?

embum79 · Post by **embum79** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 8:44 pm

Personally I like "flutist." It just sounds more
practical. "Flautist" sounds too snobbish to me.

Crazy · Post by **Crazy** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 8:49 pm

This question was brought up before and here is
what was said... [quote] ---------------- On 11/23/2003 5:19:06 PM [quote]
---------------- On 11/15/2003 10:25:20 AM Is there a difference between flutist
and flautist? And if there there is what is it? I've got the impression that a
flautist is a male flute player and flutist is a female flute player. Is that
true? Thanks! ---------------- [/quote] There really isn't a difference at all.
Usually American people I think say flutist while British/Austrailian/Europeon
people tend to say flautist. I personally prefer flautist, though I don't play
a "flaut" I like flautist because it sounds elegant.
---------------- [/quote] Here's the thread link if you want to check it out
http://www.fluteland.com/idealbb/view.a ... 7D24CE1824}
Sorry that's the best I can do. I've heard it both ways and I prefer flutist.

FluteDiddy · Post by **FluteDiddy** » Thu Mar 18, 2004 11:25 pm

Flaut is from the Italian word for flute and was
brought to England when it was popular to study there. The English in their
snobby manor thought using the Italian Flautist instead of the English Flutist
sounded more distinguished. But Flutist is correct in a country that speaks
English or American. If you say Flautist than to be conssitant you would have to
say you play the Flaut. Just stop helping spread the nonsense, you play the
flute then you are a flutist.

flautist blackie · Post by **flautist blackie** » Sat Mar 27, 2004 5:45 pm

I play the flaut, yo.

Bryony-Jane · Post by **Bryony-Jane** » Thu Mar 30, 2006 3:32 pm

I have to say I've never heard anyone say the word flutist!!! We are always referred to as flautists or by the non musical people, as flute players. If you change the pronounciation of saxophone when you call someone a saxophonist then why not change the pronounciation of flute when you call someone a flautist??

ick27 · Post by **ick27** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 12:30 am

I never noticed this thread since it was started so long ago, but now I can't resist throwing in my two cents. You should really read the little article about this at the front of Nancy Toff's The Flute Book to learn about the origin of the word "flautist." The real difference between the word "flutist" and "flautist" today is geography. In Britain, they say "flautist" and in America they say "flutist." As an American, I consider myself a flutist.

I expect someone will reply to tell me that they know someone (in America) that says "flautist" rather than "flutist," but I assure you, the vast majority of professional flutists in America do use the word "flutist." For instance, see if you can "flautist" used in a flute book written by an American flutist (I never have.) For whatever reason though, many non-musicians and non-flutists in America do use the word "flautist"--I guess they just don't have enough exposure to the flute community to pick up our usage.

I don't think this minor difference in spelling is a big deal, it's just like the difference between "color" and "colour."

Bryony-Jane · Post by **Bryony-Jane** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 3:20 am

I think I'd probably agree with you there! Seems to make perfect sense and since I'm from England it would explain why I don't think I've heard of a flutist. In my parents ancient dictionary it has both flautist and flutist....flautist means a flute player.....flutist means a player on the flute (exact wording!).

Interestingly though....what do you call a piccolo player?? My friends and I like the sound of piccolist but not sure if it actually exists as a word!

Band_Geek · Post by **Band_Geek** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 6:05 am

Well considering the piccolo and the fife are very similar, wouldnt us piccolo players be called fifers?

Bryony-Jane · Post by **Bryony-Jane** » Fri Mar 31, 2006 10:30 am

can't say I've ever heard that and to be honest, no matter how similar a piccolo and a fife are I think I'd resent being called something I'm not.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Thu May 04, 2006 3:25 pm

Flautist .

apleasuretoburn · Post by **apleasuretoburn** » Thu May 04, 2006 4:53 pm

I prefer flutist. Not even just because I'm North American, but because in all honestly I think the word "flautist" just sounds silly.

macadamia · Post by **macadamia** » Thu Jun 01, 2006 5:26 pm

I'm an Australian, I play the flute, therefore I am a flautist. It sounds better and much more professional than flutist. I'm also a piccolo player, so perhaps I should call myself the piccolo-flautist, which is literally the little flautist.

Phineas · Post by **Phineas** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 7:48 pm

I just play the flute thang!

Phineas

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:22 pm

Gotta agree with Phineas...right down to that smiley!

It doesn't matter so much what we call ourselves. In the end, we are all flute players (I hope we can agree to that!), and the terms "flautist" and "flutist" are both equally acceptable and interchangeable. It's a regional difference, and it really has no bearing upon the music we're all trying to make what people call us.