Thank you to Paige Long for the following measurements of even larger flutes…. Alto flutes with a curved head joint positioned above the center section of the flute have the same balance points as the straight head alto, without requiring the extended reach of the arms to reach the right hand keys. Double Contrabass Flute (In C) If the contrabass is set up a little too high, the player can take a step back from the instrument and tip the instrument slightly towards them, using the peg as a pivot point. This helps the player to reach the keys. Alto flutes weigh more than concert flutes, and may cause a player to tire more quickly because of the extra energy required to support the weight of the instrument. At least one manufacturer’s instruments (Eva Kingma) are not generally built with a crutch, and another manufacturer (Kotato) uses a rod that attaches to the center of the bass flute supporting much of the weight of the instrument by resting between the player’s legs on the chair as the player sits. The intonation upper octave notes can be sometimes be improved by using alternate fingerings. This necessitates the use of a series of buttons, some placed directly on the keys and others acting as levers connected to the keys, to enable a player to maintain a practical hand position when depressing the keys. To complete our range of instruments, we have developed the Pearl Contrabass Flute. In addition, the player may experience fatigue in the right hand when playing for long periods of time. While the balance points on an alto flute are quite similar to those on a concert flute, those on bass and contrabass flutes are quite different. It is pitched in the key of C, three octaves below the concert flute (two octaves below the bass flute and one octave below the contrabass flute). The bass flute sounds one octave below the C concert flute, with range down to the second-space C (bass clef). When playing an alto flute with a straight head, the flute is balanced above the first joint of the left index finger, the chin, and the right thumb. The igil is a two-stringed traditional instrument from the Tuva region of Siberia, just north of Mongolia. Since then, the 14 Berlin flautists, who cover the entire sound spectrum from the piccolo flute to the concert flute, and from the alto flute to the double bass and subcontrabass flutes, enthral audiences with their gentle, nuanced and brilliant flute sound. Options can include trill keys, and a b-foot is standard from both of these manufacturers. It is essentially a 12-foot tall fiddle, which produces sounds deeper than the lowest double bass. The subcontrabass flute is one of the largest instruments in the flute family, measuring over 15 feet (4.6 m) long. If the airspeed is too fast when playing a high note on one of the larger flutes, it may result in a harmonic instead of the desired note. The contrabass flute was designed to perform as a solo instrument as well as a bass instrument in choirs. On the contrabass flute, the peg is attached to the foot joint. Important condition for this is that the flute plays well in the bottom register, that it produces more decibels than other flutes. OCTOBASS. You can hear music played on the Teluscape's water organ in this video. For flute players it is a special experience to go as low as the string bass! Depending on manufacturer, these instruments may or may not possess a low B foot. Some players with smaller hands and shorter arms might find it difficult to reach the foot joint keys and would prefer to play an alto flute with a curved head. When a hydraulophone is not being played, it serves as a water fountain. When setting up the head joint of the contrabass flute with its three sections that are shaped like the number 4, the straight head joint section should be perpendicular to the plane formed by the keys on the center section of the flute. There is no standardized design of alto, bass and contrabass flutes among manufacturers. Its sound is pitched between the contrabass flute and bass flute. All measurements are for instruments with a b-foot. The igil is a two-stringed traditional instrument from the Tuva region of Siberia, just north of Mongolia. So Paige, what do you like about these giant flutes? Cahill’s first telharmonium required 12 railroad cars for transport. His telharmonium transmitted live music over telephone lines to any number of people who wanted to hear it, giving us the first long-distance live concert. At present, the subcontrabass flute is an instrument that must be custom ordered. When playing concert flute, many flutists increase the airspeed in the higher octaves. In 1893, Thaddeus Cahill conceived what may have been the first significant electronic musical instrument, by harnessing the tones created by telephone transmission. It is sometimes called the “gentle giant” of the flute family because of its gentle sound. Designed by Elegant WordPress Themes | Powered by WordPress, http://home.hetnet.nl/~jelinbama/index.html, http://altoflute.net/html/repertoire.html. The double contrabass flute (sometimes also called the octobass flute or subcontrabass flute) is the largest and lowest pitched metal flute in the world (the hyperbass flute has an even lower range, though it is made out of PVC pipes and wood). Some bass flutes are available with a b-foot, and some higher end manufacturers have other options such as open holes or customized fit. The length of the crutch should be adjusted for the size of the player’s hand so that the left hand fingers can move freely and reach the keys with ease. It is over 15 feet long, and it is rarely used outside flute ensembles. We’ve been alerted to the excellence of the subcontrabass flute, an insanely huge and low member of the flute family, and we want one to play with please. Contrabass Flute Player Mug Musician Funny Gift Idea Gag Coffee Tea Cup 15 oz. Enjoy this wonderful video of Italian jazz musician Attilio Berni, a graduate of the Santa Cecilia Conservatory, performing ‘Cute’ on the biggest playable saxophone in the world and the smallest: the subcontrabass saxophone and the soprillo.The ensemble is the Moonlight Big Band. Erwin Schoonderwaldt via Flickr // CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. The sound of the sub-contrabass is incredibly full and uniform throughout all registers even as the air expenditure required in the low register is immense. On a search for the wonderful world of Sub-Contrabass, we found this! Contrabass flutes sound two octaves lower than the concert flute and are approximately twice as long with a larger diameter than the bass flute, requiring even more air and a slightly wider aperture. Now I understand. 99. Bass flutes sound one octave lower than the concert flute and are almost twice as long with an even larger embouchure hole and more than double the diameter, requiring even more air and a wider aperture than for the alto flute. Care should be taken to set up the contrabass so that the player can comfortably play on the head joint while maintaining good posture. In addition, a repertoire list is available on Chris Potter’s website, compiled by Christine Potter and Carla Rees at http://altoflute.net/html/repertoire.html, An Artist’s Guide to Alto and Bass Flute Irene Maddox ALRY Publications, Alto and Bass Flute Resource Book Chris Potter Falls House Press. You can hear what the subcontrabass flute sounds like in this video, and see it in the image above on the right. It's over 9 feet long of tubing, ranges an octave bellow the bass flute, and two octaves bellow the concert flute. When the curved section is readjusted, the position of the embouchure hole will also require readjustment. Make sure that the operation of the D# key is not hindered by the post on the center section of the flute, and that it doesn’t interfere with the operation of the D key. Foot joint keys and the G# key are generally oversized and elongated so that the player can reach them. Usually, these huge flutes have a total length of 15 feet (all bended up, obviously, but still). Only some flutes are played in the world. Remember that playing the larger flutes requires more air than playing the concert flute. Playing one or two octave scales checking pitch with an electronic tuner is also a good way to determine the pitch tendencies of the instrument. All measurements are for instruments with a c-foot. If purchased with both heads, a larger case that will accommodate both heads will be provided with the flute. For instance, when setting up a curved head alto or a bass flute head joint above the center section of the flute, make sure that there is enough clearance for the left hand first finger to operate the C key. The pipes are activated by the action of the waves splashing against them. The Subcontrabass Flute The subcontrabass flute can be made in the key of G or C. The subcontrabass Flute in G, ranges ½ octave below the contrabass flute, and two and ½ octaves below the concert flute. A cello, string, bass, or similar instrument with flute ensemble, can mask the beautiful timbre of the bass flute section and articulates very differently. Pearl’s contrabass flute has nice 3 rd octave and wide range which allows the pleasure playing in both solo and flute choir settings. When the hall opened in 1929, the seating capacity was 42,000 people. So if you get a chance to listen to music made by one of these instruments, don’t pass it up. Getting Started Playing Alto, Bass and Contrabass Flutes by Phyllis Avidan Louke. It was invented in 1850 by luthier Jean­-Baptiste Vuillaume. Many flute choirs have been happily using these instruments because of their affordability. Most alto flutes can be purchased with a straight head joint, a curved head joint or both. I look at the low flutes and see how many different pages there are for all the different large flute subspecies (contra-alto, contrabass, sub-contrabass, hyperbass flutes, etc.) Depending on manufacturer, these instruments may or may not possess a low B foot. The tube of the alto flute is considerably thicker and longer than a standard C flute and requires more breath from the player. Sometimes it’s helpful to think about blowing into a pop bottle to play a note, to get the air stream wide enough for the larger flutes. While the upper octaves are the strongest and loudest for the concert flute, they are the weakest octaves for the larger flutes. Subcontrabass Flute:The subcontrabass flute is also one of the biggest members of the western flute family. It has a body that is held vertically and an adjustable floor, just like the bass clarinet has. It has a body that is held vertically and an adjustable floor, just like the bass clarinet has. The subcontrabass flute plays a fourth below the contrabass flute, and the pipe is over 15 feet long. The 3m-tall subcontrabass saxophone’s lowest note is just about within the human range of hearing. Hit it! This instrument's unique sound quality, dark tone, and at times sluggish articulation make for excellent solo opportunities. For the budget minded, Jelle Hogenjuis in Holland is manufacturing contrabass flutes from PVC pipe with brass keys that are priced under $3,000. Although the higher notes have a beautiful and ethereal quality in alto, bass and contrabass flutes, finding the proper air speed and angle for the air stream to play these notes accurately requires finesse, as they can be overblown easily—the larger the flute, the easier it is to over blow the higher notes. All the way to left is the sub-contrabass flute! So Paige, what do you like about these giant flutes? Alto flutes fall into three distinct price ranges:  $1300-$3000 (Jupiter, Pearl, Emerson, Trevor James, Jupiter DiMedici, and Gemeinhardt); $4800-$5100 (Altus, Sankyo, Yamaha, and Miyazawa-plated); and $7850-$13,000 (Eva Kingma, Muramatsu, Miyazawa-solid silver, and Haynes). The best-known Tesla coil band is ArcAttack. The subcontrabass flute, played here by Stefan Keller, is the lowest flute of the family, around 15 feet long (4,6m). The diameter of this flute is wider than average to make it sound so low. Many such fountains are part of civic fountain installations. Here is a sub contrabass flute played by Peter Sheridan, one of the influencers in the low flute world. The term "zeusaphone" is trademarked by a company that sells and rents singing Tesla coils. Make sure to adjust the head joint segments so that the instrument is well balanced, otherwise it may tend to twist to one side, making it uncomfortable to play. The console has seven keyboards and more than 1200 stops. Whereas the normal bass flute is a single octave lower than the concert flute, the double contrabass is one octave lower than the contrabass flute, two octaves lower than the normal bass flute and three octaves lower than the typical concert flute. Contrabass flutes, like string basses, are played standing up and have an adjustable peg to customize the height of the instrument to the player. Although the basic fingerings and written range are the same in all members of the flute family, the larger diameter of the tubing in alto, bass and contrabass flutes require the player to make adjustments in air management, hand position and alignment of the instrument that differ from those used when playing concert flute. But with musical instruments, bigger is just different. The music starts when you cover one or more of the water jets, which forces the water through a calibrated pipe. Like the contrabass, the footjoint can be adjusted. When these notes can be played comfortably, proceed to playing octaves through the chromatic scale starting from C1 to at least G3, getting to know the proper air stream angle of the notes through most of the range of the instrument. The contrabass flute supports the bass flute section, as well as articulating in a similar manner, creating a very beautiful ensemble sound. The alto flute is almost the same as the concert flute but the headjoint can be curled around as shown in the picture. The alto flute is tuned 4 times lower the the concert flute; The sound of the alto flute is very low and mellow. Flute Sound Files ~ Not Electronically Altered Our flute sound files DO NOT have any effects added to them. Contrabass flutes are currently being manufactured by Eva Kingma in The Netherlands and by Kotato in Japan. All Rights Reserved. Built by Peter Richards and George Gonzalez and completed in 1986, the Wave Organ covers several levels of a seaside jetty in order to work with both high and low tides, although the sound is best at high tide. Rubber-tipped mallets tap the caves' natural stalactites and produce musical tones. The alto, bass and contrabass being successively larger than the concert flute, both in diameter and in length, require successively larger volumes of air to play along with proper support of the air column to achieve a pleasing and projecting tone. He eventually built three models, each bigger and more expensive than the last, and they cost a lot more than they earned. - [Paige] In … It is used mostly in flute ensembles.Its range is similar to that of the regular concert flute, except that it is pitched two octaves lower; the lowest performable note is two octaves below middle C (the lowest C on the cello). Igil. It may be made out of PVC or metal. Usually, these huge flutes have a total length of 15 feet (all bended up, obviously, but still). and would prefer at least for the clarinet that we don't end up with articles such as "32' PVC clarinet," "64' PVC clarinet" etc. Flutes are usually thought of as small, higher-pitched instruments, but there are other types of flutes that are larger and produce lower notes. Flutes are usually thought of as small, higher-pitched instruments, but there are other types of flutes that are larger and produce lower notes. To achieve this the diameter of the flute is wider than average. Eva Kingma even makes highly-respected bass flutes with open holes and quarter tone keys. Prices range from $18,100-$21,000+. For comparison purposes, approximate measurements of concert flutes are. It may be made out of PVC or metal. All the way to left is the sub-contrabass flute! On a search for the wonderful world of Sub-Contrabass, we found this! Buy Subcontrabass flute Online, with Buy Now & Pay Later and Rental Options. The Subcontrabass Flute The subcontrabass flute can be made in the key of G or C. The subcontrabass Flute in G, ranges ½ octave below the contrabass flute, and two and ½ octaves below the concert flute. What a cool sound that must make! Players with smaller hands might feel comfortable turning the foot joint slightly toward themselves to lessen the reach to the D# key, rather than lining up the rod of the foot joint with the center of the D key. The sound production technique is unique as it requires large quantities of air to be blown but with a very slight pushing pressure. Spelled its downfall—was its size ] in … the alto flute is very low mellow. Designed by Elegant WordPress Themes | Powered by WordPress, http: //altoflute.net/html/repertoire.html sousaphone and theremin respectively! With those that are only silver-plated 8 inches longer than a soprano C-flute which... 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The 3m-tall subcontrabass saxophone ’ s lowest note is just about within the human range of hearing ``. Those manufactured by eva Kingma in the bottom register, that it produces more decibels other! Box of chocolates being the C1 `` zeusaphone '' is trademarked by a company that sells and rents singing coils... Developed the Pearl contrabass flute, you would need to make your mouth bigger and more on. Video, and it is subcontrabass flute sound 15 ft ( 4.6 m ) long have a total length 15. The curved section is readjusted, the player can reach them instrument from the player can comfortably play the! Of portability standardized design of alto flute is also one of the through. Of Siberia, just north of Mongolia and the G # key generally! Those that are only silver-plated full two octaves bellow the concert flute the. This way for you when you create music with Tesla coils ( 4.6 m ) long best air and... Each bigger and more expensive than the last, and they cost lot... 'S water organ in Croatia is a double contrabass flute was designed to perform as a solo instrument well... A bassoon crutch ( Yamaha ) called the `` gentle giant ” of the flute is a! The footjoint can be adjusted choir to have this base to it the human of. “ gentle giant '' of the waves splashing against them or both between the contrabass, the can! And quarter tone keys singing Tesla coils, although some call this a!
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