Flute choir
Encyclopedia
A flute choir is a chamber instrumental ensemble consisting mainly of range extensions of the flute family. The standard instrumentation being:
1 Piccolo in c’
4 Flutes in c
1 Alto Flute in G
1 Bass Flute in C
This deviates from the “Flute Quartet” by the addition of the “melody” flute such as Alto and Bass.
An expanded choir will usually add some of the low melody flutes such as:
The Contra-alto Flute in GG
The Contrabass flute in CC
And rarely the Octo/Double Contrabass Flute in CCC
In addition, to the lower flutes, sometimes “harmony” flutes are added such as the:
Eb flute in Eb
Bb Flute in Bb
Due to the limitation availability of the contrabass flute and lower flutes, many composers have adopted the use of the String Bass to cover these lines in lieu of an ensemble not having such players. The String Bass’s mellow tone and richness blends well with the higher flutes and adds a “cushion” of timbre that balances the shrillness the flute tend to project.
Lastly, some composers add percussion parts to add rhythmic effect and color to some pieces such as a snare drum for marches or latin percussion to mimic Mexican or Spanish Music etc.
1 Piccolo in c’
4 Flutes in c
1 Alto Flute in G
1 Bass Flute in C
This deviates from the “Flute Quartet” by the addition of the “melody” flute such as Alto and Bass.
An expanded choir will usually add some of the low melody flutes such as:
The Contra-alto Flute in GG
The Contrabass flute in CC
And rarely the Octo/Double Contrabass Flute in CCC
In addition, to the lower flutes, sometimes “harmony” flutes are added such as the:
Eb flute in Eb
Bb Flute in Bb
Due to the limitation availability of the contrabass flute and lower flutes, many composers have adopted the use of the String Bass to cover these lines in lieu of an ensemble not having such players. The String Bass’s mellow tone and richness blends well with the higher flutes and adds a “cushion” of timbre that balances the shrillness the flute tend to project.
Lastly, some composers add percussion parts to add rhythmic effect and color to some pieces such as a snare drum for marches or latin percussion to mimic Mexican or Spanish Music etc.
See also
- FluteFluteThe flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
- Flute concertoFlute concertoA flute concerto is a concerto for solo flute and instrumental ensemble, customarily the orchestra. Such works have been written from the Baroque period, when the solo concerto form was first developed, up through the present day...
- Flute quartetFlute quartetA flute quartet is a musical term for a type of chamber music group. They are normally found in two forms: those consisting of a flute, a violin, a viola and a cello; and those consisting of four flutes...
- Flute repertoryFlute repertoryFlute repertory is the general term for pieces composed for flute and often played by flautists. The following lists are not intended to be complete, but rather to present a representative sampling of the most commonly played and well known works in the genre...