The world of music is a vast and diverse realm, with many instruments that span various shapes, sizes, and tones. Among these, the bass flute stands out as a unique and captivating instrument, often overlooked by the casual observer. But bass flutes are not new – bass register flutes have been around since the Renaissance period, and have gone through evolutions of design (as well as popularity) since.
The modern concert bass flute is a relatively recent invention. In 1910, Abelardo Albisi invented a bass flute known as the “albisiphone” which was used in scores by Mascagni and Zandonai among other composers during the first half of the 20th century. British manufacturers Rudall and Rose established a design in the 1930s, eventually using an elaborate Boehm key-and-pad system to facilitate covering and uncovering distanced holes. Because of the length of its tube (approximately 146 cm (57 in)), it is usually made with a J-shaped head joint, which brings the embouchure hole within reach of the player. Other various have emerged as developed by Kotato & Fukushima and Eva Kingma. Bass flutes are now more commonly produced by makers including Altus, Di Zhao, Gemeinhardt, the plastic Guo, Jupiter, Pearl, Sankyo, Trevor James, and the unique gold-brass Yamaha. The expansion of flute makers offering bass flutes has improved the accessibility of low flutes by providing various levels based on materials (plastic, silver-plated, silver, gold-brass alloys, and others) as well as manufacturing techniques.
Compared to other auxiliary flutes, the bass flute is relatively rare – but emerging. Most commonly used in flute choir and ensemble arrangements, the bass flute is just starting to return as a common and prominent member of the flute family. Its softer dynamic range means in large ensembles it is easily obscured unless amplified or lightly scored (like in John Mackey’s The Frozen Cathedral); however, its unique timbre in the low register can be very effective, especially in solo works, small ensembles, and flute choirs. The low flute trend is also permeating the solo repertoire, affecting audiences in a new way with the extended low tones.
Many composers are beginning to write more pieces for the bass flute. These include Katherine Hoover’s Two for Two, Bill Douglas’s Karuna, Mike Mower’s A Night in Greenwich, and Gary Schocker’s A Small Sonata for a Large Flute. The first movement of Catherine McMichael’s Baikal Journey uses bass flute; the sixth movement of Claude Bolling’s Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio, ‘Versatile’ has the soloist playing the opening melody on a bass flute. Adding a bass flute solo to a recital provides another level of variety to keep the audience captivated, and the performer engaged. However, switching between instruments can require a feeling of embouchure gymnastics that requires practice and training.
If you are interested in learning or improving your bass flute abilities, consider using resources created by low-flute players for low-flute players. The Alto and Bass Flute Method Book, Bass Flute Method, and Artists Guide to Alto and Bass Flute are fantastic resources with methods, tips, and etudes written to develop better low flute sound.
Check out Flute World’s selection of sheet music for low flutes, and be inspired to add a bass flute to your in-home trial today!
