Bass flute

Bass Flute
Woodwind instrument
Classification
Hornbostel–Sachs classification421.121.12-71
(Side-blown Aerophone with tone holes and keys)
Playing range
{ \new Staff \with { \remove "Time_signature_engraver" } \clef treble \key c \major \cadenzaOn c'1 ^ \markup "written" \glissando a'''1 \tweak font-size #-2 \ottava #+1 c''''1 \finger \markup \text "poss." \ottava #0 \hide r1 c1 ^ \markup "sounds" \glissando a''1 \tweak font-size #-2 c'''1 \finger \markup \text "poss." }
Tessitura of the bass flute is C3–A5, sounding one octave lower than written.
Related instruments
Flutes:
An upright bass flute being played by Carla Rees
A contra-bass flute

The bass flute is a member of the flute family pitched one octave below the concert flute. The tubing length is twice as long at 146 cm (57 in), which requires a J-shaped head joint to bring the embouchure hole within reach of the player. Despite its name, its lowest note of C3 or B2 places its lowest octave only in the tenor range. Its soft dynamic range means in large ensembles it is easily obscured unless amplified or lightly scored; however its unique timbre in the low register can be very effective, especially in solo works, small ensembles, and flute choirs.[1] The "bass flute in F" produced by Kotato & Fukushima is a contra-alto flute.

  1. ^ Adler, Samuel (2016). The Study of Orchestration (4th ed.). New York: W. W. Norton & Company. p. 203–4. ISBN 978-0-393-92065-9. LCCN 2016018709. OL 26370811M. Wikidata Q115258889.