This page lists the various keys of Native American flutes.
The key of the flute is the lowest note that the flute plays …
often called the fundamental note note of the flute.
Although I have assigned ranges to the keys of flutes, these ranges are not in general use —
these assignments are completely my invention.
If you have any comments on my choices, please email me at
clint@goss.com.
The ranges are:
Ultra-High / Sopranino
The extreme upper end of the range for playable Native American flutes.
These flutes are typically used for special effects and ornaments
on songs, rather than creating melodies.
Very few flute makers craft flutes in this range.
Very High / Soprano
The upper end of the range for practical melodic Native American flutes.
These flutes are typically used
for special effects, counterpoint to a lower flute,
or for use over drums.
Few flute makers craft flutes in this range.
High / Alto
A range of flutes that is quite high, but playable flutes can be made.
Small fifes have historically been made in this range.
Native American flutes in this range often sound good when paired with a flute
an octave lower in duets.
Mid-Range / Medium / Tenor
The range for the majority of Native American flutes that are constructed.
This range strikes a balance between a good sound for the Native American flute,
and the ability to reach the finger holes for most players.
The center of this range, the keys of F# and G, are the most common
keys for Native American flutes.
These keys are a good choice for most first-time players of the Native American flute.
For adult players with a smaller hand reach, a Native American flute in the key of A
might be a better choice.
Low / Baritone
A range that usually produces a soothing, mellow sound from the Native American flute.
Often used in mellow or meditation style songs.
Since Native American flutes do not have keys or mechanisims to extend the reach of the
fingers, these flutes tend to be difficult to play for people with
a small finger reach.
Native American flutes at the low end of the baritone range often are "side-blown"
so that the arms can reach the finger holes.
Very Low / Bass
The extreme lower end of the range for playable Native American flutes.
Flutes in this range are sometimes produced as a curiosity rather
than a serious attempt at producing a quality sound.
One exception is the Slovakian Fujara ...
an instrument of excellent sound quality that is
a cousin in design to the Native American flute.
Few flute makers craft flutes in this range.
Ultra-Low / Contrabass
Below the range for playable Native American flutes
(although this might change in the future).
Native American flutes in the key of B spanning four octaves.
Fundamental notes are B2 (topmost flute) to B5 (bottommost flute),
ranging from about 5 feet to about 10½ inches.
Flutes crafted by and photograph courtesy of Barry Higgins of White Crow Flutes.
The topmost flute was used to record the B2 sample below.
For more information on the Frequency and Piano Key#, see Octave Notation.
Unless otherwise noted, all sound samples played by Clint Goss, from instruments in my collection. The Flutopedia audio player used on this page can have multiple sound samples running at once, so you can experiment with what keys produce nice harmonies (or dissonance, if you like):
Keys of Native American Flutes
Range
Key and Fundamental Note
Sound Sample
Frequency (Hertz) A4=440
Piano Key#
Notes
Ultra-High
Sopranino
E7
Thanks to Alan Williams for recording this sound sample.
2,637.020
80
Eb7 (D#7)
2,489.016
79
D7
2,349.318
78
C#7 (Db7)
2,217.461
77
C7
2,093.005
76
Very High Soprano
B6
1,975.533
75
Bb6 (A#6)
1,864.655
74
A6
1,760.000
73
G#6 (Ab6)
1,661.219
72
G6
1,567.982
71
F#6 (Gb6)
1,479.978
70
F6
1,396.913
69
E6
1,318.510
68
E Bamboo micro-flute - needs to be recorded
Eb6 (D#6)
1,244.508
67
D6
1,174.659
66
C#6 (Db6)
1,108.731
65
C6
1,046.502
64
C Bamboo micro-flute - needs to be recorded
High Alto
B5
987.767
63
Bb5 (A#5)
932.328
62
A5
880.000
61
G#5 (Ab5)
830.609
60
G5
783.991
59
F#5 (Gb5)
739.989
58
F5
698.456
57
E5
659.255
56
Eb5 (D#5)
622.254
55
D5
587.330
54
C#5 (Db5)
554.365
53
C5
523.251
52
Mid-Range Medium Tenor
B4
493.883
51
Bb4 (A#4)
466.164
50
A4
440.000
49
G#4 (Ab4)
415.305
48
G4
391.995
47
F#4 (Gb4)
369.994
46
F4
349.228
45
E4
329.628
44
Eb4 (D#4)
311.127
43
D4
293.665
42
C#4 (Db4)
277.183
41
C4
261.626
40
Middle C on a piano
Low Baritone
B3
246.942
39
Bb3 (A#3)
233.082
38
Lowest note on a concert (silver) flute and an oboe.
A3
220.000
37
G#3 (Ab3)
207.652
36
G3
195.998
35
Lowest note on a violin.
F#3 (Gb3)
184.997
34
F3
174.614
33
E3
164.814
32
Eb3 (D#3)
155.563
31
D3
146.832
30
C#3 (Db3)
138.591
29
C3
130.813
28
Very Low Bass
B2
Thanks to Barry Higgins / White Crow Flutes
for recording this sound sample.
To cite this page on Wikipedia: <ref name="Goss_2022_keys"> {{cite web |last=Goss |first=Clint |title=Native American Flute - Flute Keys |url=http://www.Flutopedia.com/keys.htm |date=7 June 2022 |website=Flutopedia |access-date=<YOUR RETRIEVAL DATE> }}</ref>