Subcontrabass flute
Encyclopedia
Flute
The 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...
family, measuring over 15 feet (4.6 m) long. The instrument can be made in the key of G, pitched a fourth below the contrabass flute
Contrabass flute
The contrabass flute is one of the rarer members of the flute family. It is used mostly in flute ensembles. Its range is similar to that of the regular concert flute, except that it is pitched two octaves lower; the lowest performable note is two octaves below middle C...
in C and two octaves below the alto flute
Alto flute
The alto flute is a type of Western concert flute, a musical instrument in the woodwind family. It is the next extension downward of the C flute after the flûte d'amour. It is characterized by its distinct, mellow tone in the lower portion of its range...
in G; which is sometimes also called double contra-alto flute, or in C, which will sound three octaves lower than the C flute.
The subcontrabass flute is rarely used outside of flute ensembles. It is sometimes called the "gentle giant" of the flute family because of its gentle sound. At present, the subcontrabass flute is an instrument that must be custom ordered. It may be made out of PVC
Polyvinyl chloride
Polyvinyl chloride, commonly abbreviated PVC, is a thermoplastic polymer. It is a vinyl polymer constructed of repeating vinyl groups having one hydrogen replaced by chloride. Polyvinyl chloride is the third most widely produced plastic, after polyethylene and polypropylene. PVC is widely used in...
or metal.
This instrument's unique sound quality, dark tone, and at times sluggish articulation make for excellent solo opportunities. A workable range of two and a half octaves the instrument has some projection issues, though the Hogenhuis models designed from PVC can make a fine, vibrant and raucous tone when required. Due to the instrument's bore width (the diameter of the tube is approximately three inches), the sonic possibilities are almost endless, with excellent response to overtones, singing tones, and multiphonics (chord tones). C3-G3 sounds rich and it has great opportunities for dynamic power and accent. A3-D4 The tone becomes less secure and loses some of the lower partials and it is great for blending. E4-C5 has a weaker and somewhat unfocused pitch center which may be a good choice for blend or effect. Peter Sheridan has recorded a short piece for the Subcontrabass in C, titled "And the Giant Began to Dance..." on the album "Below: Music for Low Flutes."
http://www.move.com.au/disc.cfm/3330
Naming
The double contrabass fluteDouble contrabass flute
The double contrabass flute is the largest and lowest pitched metal flute in the world...
(or octobass flute), an instrument in the key of C pitched a fifth lower than the subcontrabass flute in G, is sometimes referred to as a subcontrabass flute, as for, example, in the instruments made by Jelle Hogenhuis.