The Woodwind Section
THE FLUTES
Fr. flute, grande flute;
It. flauto, flauto grande;
Ger. Flote, grosse FloteLow octave - rich but soft
Middle octave - neutral
Highest octave - brilliant,
loud, mostly expressive
The flute is perhaps the most agile instrument in the orchestra.
Well suited for scale passages, arpeggios, ornamentation and other figurations.
Also works for long notes.
Tips for using the flute
Agile through the entire range.
Capable of both fast and slow passages.
Descending leaps responding slower than ascending leaps.
Double and triple tonguing work very well
Doubling the flutes add warmth in the low range and intensity in the high range.
Intonation is difficult in the top 6th of the range
Avoid very low trills (up to Eb at the bottom of the staff)
THE PICCOLO
The piccolo is a small flute (piccolo flauto in Italian means small flute).
The piccolo sounds an octave higher than written.
Its range is more limited than that of the flute.
Low register - unique color, colder tone, more air than flute, weak projection.
Middle register - clearer tone, brighter and stronger.
High register - brilliant, crisp, clean tone, can cut through almost any texture, very loud.
Don’t write 8va - use ledger lines for high pitches.
Usually played by second or third flute as a doubler.
Be cautious with very high notes
In the staff the piccolo is easily covered
Adds brilliance to orchestration when doubling other winds and strings.
Don’t overuse
ALTO FLUTE IN G
Sounds a fourth lower than written.
Similar to the flute in abilities but a little less agile.
Darker tone. Low register is particularly dark.
Low range projection is better than other flutes but still can be easily covered.
Larger instrument means it requires more air. Allow some time for the musician to breath.
Usually assigned to second or third flute as a doubler.
