Soprano flute

Soprano flute
Woodwind instrument
Other namesThird flute, tierce flute; fr: flûte à tierce; de: Terzflöte[1]
Classification Woodwind (Aerophone)
Hornbostel–Sachs classification421.121.12
(open side-blown flute with fingerholes)
Playing range
written range similar to the Western concert flute, but sounding a minor third higher
Related instruments
Flute, alto flute, bass flute, piccolo

The soprano flute (also called a third flute or tierce flute) is a type of flute, a musical instrument in the woodwind family. It is pitched in E♭, a minor third above the concert flute, and is one of the few members of the modern flute family that is not pitched in C or G. The pitch was set at a time such flutes substituted for the E-flat clarinet.[2]

The instrument is now rare. A few American publications for flute choir currently include a part for E♭ (soprano) flute. In these publications, an alternative part is provided either for the C flute or for the piccolo. With the substitution of one of these more common instruments, however, the distinctive colour of a treble flute sound is missing.

Soprano flutes have also been made in F, sounding a perfect fourth higher than the concert flute.[3]

  1. ^ Sadie, Stanley; Tyrrell, John, eds. (2001). "Flute I. 3. ii. Third flute". The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (2nd ed.). London: Macmillan Publishers. ISBN 978-1-56159-239-5.‎ [full citation needed] [full citation needed]
  2. ^ "E-flat Soprano Flute". Bandestration.com. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  3. ^ "Soprano Flute (in F)". Kotato and Fukushima. Retrieved August 13, 2022.