| When we say that a flute is in the key of A we | | | | of the Penny Whistle used in much Irish dance music. |
| mean that its lowest note is the A above middle C | | | | The Penny Whistle is usually in the key of what is |
| on a piano. A vibrates at 440 Hz. A higher keyed | | | | commonly called high D. High D is the second D |
| flute will vibrate at a faster rate than A. A lower | | | | above middle C on the piano. This instrument has a |
| keyed flute will vibrate at a slower rate than A. The | | | | very penetrating and stimulating sound. The dance |
| lower the key of an Indian flute the longer the barrel | | | | steps of Irish clog dancing reflect this intensity. They |
| of the flute. An A has a barrel length of about | | | | are rapid and energetic. The dancers whirl and stomp. |
| twelve and a half inches. A flute in the key of E will | | | | Contrast this to the music of a waltz in the key E. |
| have a barrel length of seventeen and a half inches. | | | | The sound of a Love flute in the key of F, E, Eb or |
| The barrel of the flute is the hollow chamber where | | | | D is more meditative in quality. Most of the |
| sound vibrations are generated. | | | | prospective buyers who sample the sounds on my |
| Love flutes in the keys of A above middle C through | | | | website are attracted to these lower keyed flutes. |
| E below middle C are often called mid range flutes. | | | | The keys of different Native American style flutes |
| Lower keyed flutes are called bass flutes when they | | | | are often assigned to different areas of the human |
| are in the octave below C and double bass flutes | | | | body and their associated energy centers. These |
| when they are two octaves below. Higher keyed | | | | energy centers are called Chakras. There are seven |
| flutes are called treble flutes. | | | | charkas. The lowest is at the base of the spine and |
| As you can imagine lower keyed Native American | | | | the highest is at the crown of the head. According to |
| flutes will be somewhat more difficult to hold and | | | | tradition the lowest chakra vibrates at the pitch of D. |
| play. Not only is a flute in a lower key bigger and | | | | The second chakra in the lower abdominal region is E. |
| heavier. But, the tone holes that the fingers must | | | | the solar plexus chraka is F. The heart chraka is F#. |
| cover are further apart. A novice Indian flute player is | | | | The chakra in the neck or thyroid region is G. The |
| advised to begin with a comfortable size flute such | | | | forehead or eye center chakra is G# and the chakra |
| as an A or G. | | | | at the crown of the head is A. It is thought that |
| The tonal quality of each individual note is unique. So | | | | each of these centers vibrates in harmony with its |
| also is the tonal quality of flutes in different keys. A | | | | particular musical note. |
| flute in the key of A will play a mode one pentatonic | | | | The key of F# is sometimes called the de facto key |
| scale consisting of the notes A, C, D, E, G. A flute in | | | | of the Native American style flute. It has achieved |
| the key of G will play a mode one pentatonic scale | | | | this status by usage. The majority of recorded |
| consisting of the notes G, A#, C, D, F. So, as you | | | | Native American style flute music is done with an F# |
| can see (and hear) flutes in different keys will play | | | | flute. Also, F# is a very popular flute key among |
| scales composed of different combinations of notes. | | | | amateur players. There seems to be no rational |
| Some people experience each note as having a | | | | explanation for this. Perhaps it is because so much |
| corresponding color. Or the different notes can be | | | | NA flute music is music of the heart. The problem |
| compared to different flavors of sound. Just as there | | | | with a Love flue in the key of F# is that F# is not a |
| are different flavors of ice cream there are different | | | | common musical key. So other musicians - guitarists, |
| flavors of sound. The note G has a different tonal | | | | pianist etc - may have a difficult time playing with |
| flavor than the note A. Higher tones vibrate at more | | | | you. The keys of A, G and E are more common. |
| rapid rates and convey more energy. They are more | | | | In order to find out what flute key is right for you |
| stimulating. Lower notes are more relaxed and | | | | listen to sound samples. You will know it when what |
| meditative. Perhaps you are familiar with the sound | | | | you hear feels right to you. |
