Soprano flute

The soprano flute (also called a third flute or tierce flute) is a type of flute, a musical instrument in the woodwind family. It is pitched in E, a minor third above the concert flute, and is the only member of the modern flute family that is not pitched in C or G. The pitch was set at a time such flutes substituted for the E-flat clarinet, but the instrument is now rare.[2]

Soprano flute
Woodwind instrument
Other namesThird flute, tierce flute; fr: flûte à tierce; de: Terzflöte[1]
Classification Woodwind (Aerophone)
Hornbostel–Sachs classification421.121.12
(open side-blown flute with fingerholes)
Playing range
written range similar to the Western concert flute, but sounding a minor third higher
Related instruments
Flute, alto flute, bass flute, piccolo

The instrument is rarely available now. A few American publications for flute choir currently include a part for E (soprano) flute. In these publications, an alternative part is provided either for the C flute or for the piccolo. With the substitution of one of these more commonly found instruments, however, the distinctive colour of a treble flute sound is missing.

References

  1. Root, Deane L., ed. (2001). "Flute I. 3. ii. Third flute". The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. Oxford University Press.
  2. "E-flat Soprano Flute". Bandestration.com. Retrieved 12-09-15. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)


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