The Orchestra / Instruments / Flutes / Range

Range

The flute's range covers three octaves. As with most woodwind instruments The range also divides into three different registers.

Click here to see the ranges of the flute and piccolo.

Lowest Note
The flute's lowest note is Middle C on the piano or sometimes the B just below if the player has a longer foot joint (see Construction).

Transposing
The flute does not transpose - the music sounds as written.
The piccolo transposes by an octave - the music sounds an octave higher than written. Enlarge the icon for more details.

Video Clips
In the following clips Ken Smith explains and demonstrates how the notes of the different registers of the flute are produced.

clip 1 - Octaves one and two.
clip 2 - The third octave.