The Charm of the Flute Explained!

While wind instruments like the saxophone and trumpet are often considered the "star" instruments and are quite popular, do you know what the flute is?

Most people probably think, "Oh, that’s the sideways instrument," or "I've heard of it," but not much beyond that.

Despite this, the flute has quietly gained popularity.
Many people wish to play the flute in wind ensemble clubs, and there are often times when the number of applicants exceeds the available spots.
Various magazines and websites publish rankings of popular instruments, and the flute consistently ranks highly.

What exactly is the charm of the flute? I’m here to share it with those who might be thinking of starting a wind instrument in the near future.

■ Characteristics of the Flute

Before talking about the charm of the flute, here are some key features for those who may not be familiar with what the flute actually is.

The only transverse flute among wind instruments
There are many types of wind instruments, but the flute is the only transverse (side-blown) flute used in orchestras and wind ensembles.
Most other transverse flutes are used in traditional Japanese and Chinese instruments.

Sound is produced by air vibration
Unlike the clarinet or saxophone, the flute doesn’t have a reed to produce sound.
To produce sound, the player blows air toward the mouthpiece, and the air creates a vortex, causing the air to vibrate.
The vibrating air causes the tube to vibrate, which produces the sound.
Thus, it's crucial to blow air at the right speed and angle to create the proper sound.

A metal instrument classified as a woodwind
Wind instruments are generally categorized into woodwinds and brass.
Although the flute is made of metal, it is classified as a woodwind instrument.
Other instruments, like the saxophone, are also made of metal but are classified as woodwind instruments.
There are various criteria for classifying instruments as woodwind or brass, but the most common classification is that brass instruments are those that use a mouthpiece to create vibrations in the lips.

Wide range
The flute has a wide range and is particularly skilled at producing high-pitched notes.
Its range spans three octaves, which makes it ideal for playing the lead melody in pop song covers and broadens the selection of pieces it can perform.

■ The Charm of the Flute You Should Know

The flute has many wonderful qualities besides its sound.
Among them, here are some of the points that I think make the flute particularly appealing!

Often plays the lead in wind ensembles
While it depends on the piece being performed, the flute is often the instrument that plays the lead melody.
Of course, it also plays harmonies and decorative parts, but generally, it takes the role of providing a bright and shining tone.
If you’re someone who likes to play the lead parts, the flute is the perfect instrument for you.

Many solos
The flute is versatile and blends well with any instrument or piece of music.
Because of this, it tends to have many solos compared to other instruments and often stands out.
The flute shines in a variety of genres, including wind ensembles, jazz, and bossa nova.

Easy to transport
In wind ensembles, there are many large and heavy instruments, but the flute is relatively light, weighing around 400-500 grams. Even with the case, it isn’t very bulky.
However, one thing to be careful of is that you should never transport the flute in a bicycle or motorcycle basket.
Since it’s a delicate instrument, the vibrations from riding could cause the key balance to become off.
When moving by bicycle or similar transport, it’s best to use a flute case that can be worn diagonally over your shoulder.

Simple Fingerings
When you start learning an instrument, one of the first things you need to master is the fingering.
Flute fingering is quite similar to that of the recorder, making it relatively easy to understand.
Additionally, some notes are played by controlling the breath rather than changing the fingering.
For example, when playing a lower "Mi" (E) and then an octave higher "Mi," (E) the fingering stays the same, and only the breath control changes the pitch.
The flute is also great for playing fast finger movements and passages.

■ 3 Flute-Featured Songs to Watch Out For

Flute music isn’t just limited to pieces performed in wind ensemble clubs.
It is used in some genres that may surprise you, and in some cases, it’s even featured in arrangements of existing songs.
Here are three examples:

○ Pythagoras Switch Theme

This is the theme for a children’s educational program, but it’s so popular that it’s also aired as "Adult Pythagoras Switch" during the New Year holidays, so many people are probably familiar with it.

The lively, bouncy melody and the flute’s bright, light tone match perfectly, making it an enjoyable piece both to play and to listen to.
Flute solo performances can showcase the instrument’s beauty, but adding a piccolo player creates an even more sophisticated harmony.

○ Tiger & Dragon / Crazy Ken Band

YouTubeで動画を見る

This famous song by the Crazy Ken Band features the flute playing the background melody behind the lead vocal.
Nakanishi, one of the band members, mainly plays flute and saxophone, and there are many other songs by Crazy Ken Band where the flute is featured.

While the flute is often associated with wind ensembles and classical music, it’s actually widely used in genres like jazz and blues as well.

○ “Jounetsu Tairiku” / Taro Hakase

This song is often arranged and performed with various instruments, and of course, it can also be played beautifully on the flute.

The version featured in this video is a flute-only quartet.
With its wide range, the flute handles all the harmonies and rhythms with just one instrument.

■ Why Not Try Playing the Flute?

The flute, often compared to the chirping of birds, is known for its high-pitched, distinctive sound, which makes it stand out no matter the genre.
It holds the opposite position of instruments like the tuba or baritone saxophone, which often provide the backbone of the sound.

If you’re thinking of adding bright, shimmering high notes to a piece, consider giving the flute a try.
PLAYTECH products are affordable and offer great cost performance, making it easy to start playing.

⇒ PLAYTECH Flute Collection

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