Transverse flute or magic flute?

From now on we also offer transverse flute lessons on Instrumentor. Avital Cohen tells us what this instrument is all about

Many legends tell about the beauty of the sound of the flute and its mystical power. In some cultures, it is even believed that the sound of the transverse flute can heal.

From prehistoric times through antiquity to our own day, there are a great many stories, myths and legends about the magical sound and power of the transverse flute.

In Greek mythology, the story of Syrinx and Pan tells how the flute came from the gods to the shepherds.

All over the world, in every culture and in every era, the transverse flute can be found. The way the transverse flute is played and also how it is held or how it is constructed and what music comes out of it is very diverse. However, something always remains the same: A tube with holes and the blow hole directly across the mouth. The tube itself can be made of a wide variety of materials: Bamboo, various woods, metals (including gold), glass, stone, bone and many more.

Today, modern flutes are made of metal and equipped with complex key mechanisms. In the orchestra, the transverse flute belongs to the woodwind instruments (along with the oboe, clarinet and bassoon). The reason for this is because in Western European aesthetics and tradition the transverse flute was made of wood until the 19th century. It was the flute maker Theobald Boehm who, around 1832, developed the current form of the transverse flute, made of metal and with many keys.

The transverse flute consists of three parts: The headjoint, the middlejoint and the footjoint.

As soon as air is blown into the headjoint, it is split and begins to vibrate.

There are 13 tone holes in the centerpiece. The mechanism allows different holes to open and close, creating different tones. On the footjoint, the little finger of the right hand can produce two to three different tones (C# and C, depending on the flute also B).

The sound of the flute changes its character from the low to the middle to the high notes. The low notes sound warm and pithy, the middle "Airy" and somewhat dreamy. The high notes seem enchanted beautiful and the very high notes can be very loud.

Would the transverse flute also be instrument for you or do you still want to refine your technique?
Then have a look at the different teachers in your city for transverse flute lessons or visit directly the profile of Avital:

Transverse Flute Lessons in Zurich

Transverse flute lessons in Bern

Cross flute lessons in Baden

If you have any questions, the Instrumentor Team is always happy to help.