Short Transverse Flute Guide For Beginners

This short transverse flute guide helps beginners make better-informed decisions:

Do you want to buy a transverse flute and do not know what aspects you have to consider? This instrument offers a very special sound that stands out from others.

However, when buying a good model it is necessary to follow some basic guidelines. In this article on the web, you will learn about all the aspects that you must assess to get the transverse flute that best suits your needs.

The transverse flute is an instrument that belongs to the woodwind family that is characterized by being monophonic, that is, it can only produce one sound at a time. His design consists of three parts: head, body, and foot. Although in its beginnings it was made of wood, nowadays they are usually made of metal.

Why Buy A Transverse Flute?

If you are a music fan or expert, many reasons justify the purchase of a transverse flute, especially its versatility, its sound, and how easy it is to transport.

Because It Can Be Used In Different Musical Styles

If you want to acquire a type of flute for different musical styles, the transverse flute is the best option. This type of instrument can be used in classical, jazz, salsa, flamenco, and even popular music.

To make music as soloists, do, in bands, chamber groups, and symphony orchestras, the transverse flute stands out for its sharp and bright timbre.

In addition, the transverse flute has a design that, regardless of the type of material with which it is made, is usually light. It can be easily carried in a large case or bag.

For Its Sharp And Pleasant Sound

Another remarkable aspect of the transverse flute is its high-pitched timbre, which is pleasant to listen to. Many musicians claim that its sound is similar to the human voice.

This melodic instrument allows the flutist to perform different harmonic performances since he can only produce one note at a time. So with each breath, you can sweetly change the melody.

How To Choose A Transverse Flute?

There is a wide range of models on the market today. If you already have a budget in place, it will be easier for you to find one that fits your needs. On the other hand, you will also have to take into account the following characteristics:

Age

The first aspect that you will have to take into account at the time of purchase is the age and height of the flutist. The same model cannot be purchased for a child as for an adult.

Choosing the right transverse flute according to your age will give you greater comfort, as well as the possibility of having a better command of the instrument.

The Materials

The material with which the transverse flute is made will affect the sound it emits. They are usually made of different materials, such as sterling silver, nickel, silver, titanium, gold, platinum, or wood.

Most models are made of metal (sterling silver and nickel) which makes the sound more powerful and with a bright timbre. High-end transverse flutes can be made of gold and ivory.

Previously, they were made of wood. You can find models made from different types of wood, the most common being bamboo, a material that gives it great acoustic properties and a sweet sound.

Head

The head of the transverse flute is the part through which the flutist introduces the air so that the sound is produced. There are two head models in this type of flute: straight and curved.

For beginners, it is best to purchase a transverse flute model with a curved head, so it will be easier and more comfortable to handle the instrument. Musicians with more mastery of the instrument select a model with a straight head.

The Tuning

The transverse flute can also be differentiated according to its tuning, in flaunt or piccolo tuned in C ₅, sopranino (G ₄ ), soprano (D#4), alto (G ₃ ), bass (C ₃ ), among others.

The Keys

Another characteristic that differentiates the transverse flute models is the position of the treble key from the others. Although this aspect does not affect the sound of the instrument, it will influence the comfort of the flutist.

For beginning flutists, the transverse flute model that is aligned is usually recommended. On the other hand, for more advanced musicians the ideal option is the offset transverse flutes.

Dishes

There are models of transverse flutes with open or closed plates. The open ones stand out because their keys have a hole that must be covered with the fingers for the note to be produced.

On the other hand, the model that has a closed plate does not have said opening and, although it is usually simpler, there is also the possibility that the flute loses sonority.

The choice will depend on the experience of the flutist. For beginners, the best option is the closed-plate transverse flute models, since they will not have to focus on covering the holes well with their fingertips. Open cymbals are ideal for experienced flutists, as they have more agility in their fingers and can quickly switch from one sound to another.

How Much Does A Transverse Flute Cost?

The price of one of these instruments is located in the range of 75 and 200 dollars, it varies depending on the material of manufacture and design. There are models made of gold and ivory that can cost much more than 200 dollars.

Among the high-end models, the Ashton Fl10 flute stands out for 160 dollars; the Odyssey OFL100 for $150, and the nickel-plated Windsor MI-1002 flute, is available for about $120.

You can also find models with excellent value for money, for example, the Asmus traverse flute for 100 dollars or the Andoer for 80 dollars.

Which Brand Of Transverse Flute Is Better?

In today’s market, there are many brands dedicated to the design and manufacture of this type of instrument. Among those that stand out for having models with a better value for money are Odyssey, Andoer, Windsor, and Sonta, among others.

How To Play The Traverse Flute?

If you want to play the transverse flute, you must be clear that, as with any other wind instrument, such as traditional clarinets, breathing is a key factor in harmonizing the sound.

How is it played? Follow these simple steps to help you adopt the proper posture. In addition, you will learn to blow this type of flute correctly.

An important detail to playing the transverse flute with greater mastery is practice since it will help the flutist to achieve different sounds and nuances. The more practice the flutist has, the more accurately and quickly he will be able to use his fingers, tongue, and diaphragm.

How To Clean The Transverse Flute?

The transverse flute is an instrument that gets dirty easily since it is handled with the hands, it comes into contact with the mouth, and when air is introduced, particles of saliva remain inside.

If you want the instrument to work properly and not change the sound, it is important to clean it inside and out every time it is used. Although it seems cumbersome due to the number of parts that are difficult to access, cleaning the transverse flute is easy to do.

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