Flute is a musical instrument that produces sound by vibration and
interference of air in the embouchure without reed. The development of flute
can be traced back to the medieval age when the primitive form of flute is
acknowledged by the archeologist...
Flute is a musical instrument that produces sound by vibration and
interference of air in the embouchure without reed. The development of flute
can be traced back to the medieval age when the primitive form of flute is
acknowledged by the archeologist and anthropologist. It evolved into largely
two types: vertical and horizontal. The vertical flutesprogressed into recorders,
which flourished during the 1300-1600 and 1600-1750 eras. They freely
covered the pitch range that human can produce. However, due to their
relatively limited range from the monotonous tones, the horizontal flutes
started gaining more popularity soon afterward.
There was further progress in the 18th century, when Jacques Martain
Hotteterre(1674-1763) published “Les Principles de la flute”in 1707. There was
only one key, however, which limited accuracy of pitch and proper tuning.
Johann Joachim Qauntz (1679-1773) then invented the two-key flute by
designing the tuning slide which ensured accurate pitch by extending the
connector piece between the head and the body. The screw plug at the top
of the head and the oval-shaped breathing hole further enhanced fine-tuning.
These modifications made it possible to establish accurate standard pitch of
sound, as well as the chromatic scale.
J.N.Cappeller(1776-1825) then Mechannism the trills in the C# and D# keys,
followed by the B actionby Glulio Briccialdi(1818-1881) ♭ and the enclosable
G# key by Dorus. J.G.Tromlitz(1725-1805) took it even further by producing
the C hole & the finger system, which enhanced flute with its characteristic
power, speed and flexibility. By then, flute became an essential part of
orchestral music.
In 19thcentury, William Gordon successfully achieved optimal tuning by
distributing the finger holes with precise spacing. It is then when Theobald
Boehm(1794-1881) a German flutist and instrumental manufacturer, adopted
the ring key, the clutch key system, and the rotator needle spring. It made it
possible to expand the volume and three-octaves of regular and standardized
sounds. Flutes in Boehm system are made of 13 tone holes and 24 keys,
which are widespread in modern music. He used metals instead of wood and
ivory, and stabilized the volume and compass by decreasing the inner coffin
in parabolic form. Furthermore, he used cylinder shape, instead of conical, and
made the new tone-hole by ensuring accurate chromatic scale via acoustic
calculations.
Therefore, he is regarded as the pioneer in structural developments, as well
as expanded range of performance, of flute as an instrument. In doing so, he
established a new foundation for musical composition and widening its
potentials.
Boehm system was almost perfected in 1847, when it was adopted in England
and France. It is currently regarded as the standard system all over the world.
Moreover, the same principle is applied in other wood and brass instruments,
such as oboe, clarinet and bassoon. Boehm made a great contribution to
accurate expression of the highest and lowest pitches, regularity of tones,
ease of performance, and the overall solidity and external shape of flute.
Every flutist should practice diligently for finesse, but understanding the
history and the mechanical foundation of flute will effectively improve the
quality of performance.