All About Alto and Bass Flutes

[@IcelandsPuffin]

Just bought a bass flute (a Pearl though), and this flute has such a beautiful sound! Powerful in the lower register, pretty in the middle and light in the upper register. Looking forward to playing and learning more!

[@BladeTNT2018]

I'm jealous

[@mariadavis8745]

The bass flute sounds beautiful. I want one! 😀

[@GinaLuciani]

They are so much fun to play :)

[@amydopson2946]

Don't we all want one!!! Too bad no director wants one...😢

[@akrobeau]

Me toooo!!!

[@BladeTNT2018]

@Maria Davis, Me too

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@BladeTNT2018 It's actually called a Tenor Flute because it sounds closer to the Tenor Section of a Choir.

[@codswallop321]

3:32 lovely bit of Holst

[@Renizzle]

Just picked up the bass flute a week ago! What a different kind of beast! Thanks for the video :D

[@GinaLuciani]

Oh awesome! What kind did you get? Are you enjoying playing it so far?

[@amydopson2946]

Beast...is EXACTLY...the way to describe this instument!!!

[@rich1051414]

Are there many arrangements which require a bass flute?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@rich1051414 Anything written for C Flute is playable on the Bass Flute (Bret Newton Terms: Tenor Flute)

[@rich1051414]

@@RockStarOscarStern634 That's not what I asked, but good to know.

[@sydneywhitfield7497]

Never knew there were so many different flutes

[@akrobeau]

Piccolo, Bass, Alto (G Flute), C Flute

[@theobigmac1229]

akrobeau contrabass and sub-contrabass

[@akrobeau]

Theo Mack I was talking about common flutes

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@akrobeau The Bass flute is more of a tenor sound, it's actually these days called a Tenor Flute.

[@akrobeau]

CircuitsAndStrings 2 Mr Stern But it is a bass flute.

[@AnthonyOTooleMusic]

Just wrote a piece using Alto and this video was very helpful for hearing what the different registers sound like. Thanks for making this video!

[@GinaLuciani]

Oh how cool! I love the alto so much!

[@amydopson2946]

Thank you for your example of the Tevor James!!!

[@GinaLuciani]

Your welcome!

[@otabeksalamov]

Wow thank you so much 🙏

[@kventinho]

Your intonation took my breath away. I wish to have one like yours!!!

[@GinaLuciani]

Thank you! Lots and lots of practice... :)

[@classicalretroback]

Nice sounds from the Bass flutes.

[@karlahyatt2584]

Love your videos! I teach middle school band and tell my flute players about your videos. You have such a good variety of helpful topics about the flute.

[@kiaraeijo]

Wow Congrats Gina! I’m dying to play the Claude Bolling Suite! I love it!

[@GinaLuciani]

You'll love playing it! It's such a blast and each mvt. is so unique!

[@amydopson2946]

Perfect music for this flute!!!

[@grantfonda3718]

Good stuff, Gina! Using this in my beginning Orchestration class!

[@GinaLuciani]

Thanks for sharing it with your class, Grant! Feel free to direct them to me if they have any other questions!

[@InstrumentManiac]

Nice claude bolling riff in there!

[@edwincancelii2917]

They also have low B foot joints for both the alto, bass, G contralto, F contralto and the C contrabass flutes. But the deepest flute ever is the C hyperbass flute, which is 4 octaves lower the the standard C concert flute; 3 octaves lower than the bass flute; and 2 octaves lower than the C contrabass flute.

[@GinaLuciani]

That is true! I was trying to cover the most common low flutes that people have but that is 100% true :) Thanks for sharing

[@edwincancelii2917]

Gina Luciani anytime. One more thing, the low D whistle is also good with the C standard concert flute, the B flat and A flutes d’amote, and the lower flutes that I mentioned. But the real deepest flute is the C hyperbass flute, which is 4 octaves lower than the standard C concert flute, 3 octaves lower than the C bass flute, 2 octaves lower than the C contrabass flute and 1 octave lower than the double contrabass flute.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@edwincancelii2917 The Flute D'amore is actually a Mezzo-Soprano flute they come in 2 keys in Bb (Transposes down a whole step like the Bb Trumpet) & A (like the Oboe D'amore/Mezzo-Soprano oboe)

[@edwincancelii2917]

CircuitsAndStrings 2 Mr Stern interesting.

[@astriktonoyan612]

I love the bass flute. It’s like a dream for me to have one

[@billyhouse1471]

can you show us all the flutes you own

[@GinaLuciani]

I'm planning on doing a video with that!

[@billyhouse1471]

btw also a fan of your sister

[@instrumentaddict30]

@@GinaLuciani would you recommend that I buy a used sterling silver headjoint for my student flute

[@akrobeau]

Billy House who’s her sister

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@GinaLuciani Who's your sister?

[@edisonedison1103]

Wow! What a demonstration! Thank you Gina.

[@stevenhughes3298]

Bass flute ftw

[@PitsTasteGood]

I can just imagine the overtones!

[@MusiciansAddition]

Been wanting a bass flute for so long! One day!

[@GinaLuciani]

They are so fun!

[@maevefartsmella]

I play flute i love it sook much

[@tennisking9947]

I play the alto flute but I wanna play the bass flue now 😂

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I love it, Bret newton used the Term Tenor Flute because its range is more or less the same as a Tenor Vocalist in Choir.

[@chloejackson-reynolds418]

@@RockStarOscarStern634 And because it is an active below the regular flute, so it would follow the same naming conventions as other instruments like the saxes

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@chloejackson-reynolds418 Yes & it can play the same music as a C Soprano Flute can.

[@nicolasroussel3937]

the sound is awesome !

[@GinaLuciani]

Thank you!

[@brendaisaacson942]

You are truly amazing!!!

[@chriszollner6593]

That was beautiful! Thank you.

[@IcelandsPuffin]

I'm thinking of buying a bass flute, but I'm renting one first of course (to try it out). Your video finally convinced me to just go out and rent and maybe buy one, I'm so excited to finally get the chance to play one of these beasts!

[@IcelandsPuffin]

Update: I'm in love with the bass flute

[@fotofavoloso267]

I have a Pearl 201 alto flute and love it...........I looked at the TJ also, but the Pearl was significantly less expensive......I believe you cant go wrong with either.

[@GinaLuciani]

Foto Favoloso My first Alto was actually a Pearl too 😊 Definitely both great instruments!

[@trumpmech]

I'm a brass player, but have to say I'm impressed with your articulation, even just messing around demonstrating these. Nice.

[@GinaLuciani]

Hey thank you so much! I really appreciate that.

[@mr.starfish4965]

TrumpetMech Yeah, I have no idea why I’m here I play euphonium.

[@duker1324]

I play clarinet/bass clarinet and I have to say, bass flute is just Ironic.

[@ericbrown691]

I read that as, I play cilantro/bass cilantro...I must be sleepy at 200am and also to many hours Migardener, shout out MIgardener

[@mambojazz1]

No it isnt. Flute is an instrument not a range. There are bass flutes and soprano even sopranino flutes in music and cultures all arond the world from Asia to Africa to South America.

[@alexfeitosa5655]

Great video! Brazil loves you!!

[@GinaLuciani]

Thanks Alex!

[@violeth149]

I think i found the two instruments i want to learn next

[@Albertoflutist]

It seems fun to practice the bass flute I always want to buy it but it's very expensive than the regular flute

[@GinaLuciani]

Yeah, bass is a lot of fun! Make sure to check out Trevor James Bass flutes because they are surprisingly affordable!

[@ZipplyZane]

Is renting available? I know it is for a lot of deeper brass instruments.

[@hackenbeckproductions2683]

I think I hade made a decision for a future choice when I have the money! I might get an alto flute, but I think my mind is more on the bass flute, but I will make my decision once I actually try one. Thank you for the video, it was very informational!

[@GinaLuciani]

Nice! Good luck :)

[@hackenbeckproductions2683]

Something I noticed after I watched the video a second time was that the the bass flute has a really cool shape, so that might be the next style of flute I get! I really like how long the bass flute is and if I do go to FCNY then I will probably definitely try one out!!!

[@rogertrigueiropintor6310]

Excelente video!..

[@GinaLuciani]

Thank you!

[@summermcpherson8209]

You play the flute so well! I want to hear a flute cover of Dreamboat Annie by Heart soon!

[@GinaLuciani]

Hey, thank you! I'll add that to my list :)

[@pookycat101]

And here i am with a piccolo in my hand 😝

[@theobigmac1229]

Could you do a sound comparison with piccolo, concert, alto, bass etc to see what sounds the best? Also great video, I am myself wanting to play the bass flute as an upgrade from my concert and I wanted to know what sounds better before hand

[@sanstheskeleton2023]

You can't upgrade to a Bass Flute unless you want to becone a specialist. If you want to play in orchestras or concert band you will almost only play concert flute and piccolo. The most notable alto flute part is in The Planets. In more classical repertoire the most often you'd see lower flutes is in operas. Bass flute is pretty common in film scores and are necessary in flute choirs.

[@pearlflute1]

I'm trying alto and bass flutes now -- I prefer the alto but would have to transpose my music for C Flute. Help me with transposition. Thanks!

[@mikestirewalt5193]

Beautiful tone. You've spent half your life practicing.

[@chandramhanmajhi7351]

Nice

[@kendrickjennings5760]

Very helpful information! I was wondering if you could tell us how tall you are so we can get an idea of how different sized players might like curved vs. straight head joints? Thanks!

[@markfromoakdale]

Have you tried the lower Flutes than Bass? (Contrabass, Double Contrabass etc?)

[@jamesmolinaro9348]

Thank You Gina! What is the diameter of Bass flute and Alto? I play Alto, but am not sure how much bigger Bass flute is, and then how much more difficult it would be; Bass and Alto Flutes sound similiar to my undiscriminating ears! Thanks, Jim

[@roberthaines4221]

I have a full range of recorders (piccolino to bass) and know how much more breath is required for playing the bass than even the baritone recorder. I realize it may be difficult to quantify, but how much more breath is required to play an alto or bass, than a standard concert flute?

[@geo752]

I like my Trevor James concert flute

[@BladeTNT2018]

How common is a bass flute?

[@BladeTNT2018]

Moderate

[@zhaneltleubayev3194]

G.Holst "Planets"

[@zhaneltleubayev3194]

3:32

[@charlescoleman5509]

In Holst’s “The Planets”, he asks for the Bass Flute. But am I right in saying that you can use the Alto Flute in that piece as well?

[@danthefugueguy]

Holst writes Bass Flute in the score, but it is really the Alto flute that is intended in The Planets, because he wrote the part in G. Bass (tenor) flutes are in C. There was a period in England in the early part of the twentieth century where composers called the alto flute a bass. Compare with The Rite of Spring or Daphnis and Chloe which are definitely for alto flute, but Stravinsky and Ravel call it ‘Flute en Sol’ (in G).

[@markfromoakdale]

And have you heard of a proposal by Composer Bret Newton to re-name members of the Flute family? As per his video "Where's The Tenor Flute?"

[@ganganagar2001]

Thanks for your teachings . I am learning Indian Flute we don't use Lip-Plate . what is the benefit of Lip-Plate.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@UCXTGynZWiV58u4z43Upn4PA Guo used the term Tenor Flute because it actually has a True Tenor Voice.

[@ZipplyZane]

What I'm wondering is if you'll get a chance to play a contrabass flute. They are apparently upright, and sound oddly like a bass clarinet. I'm hoping that group you partnered with will let you get access to one. I know they are hard to come by.

[@GinaLuciani]

I have played them before but just like you thought- they are super hard to come by and are not used very often. Maybe at some point I can find one to do a video with!

[@gregcolbert438]

I want a bass and alto flute

[@Vercus100]

This seems more like an ad for Flute Center and Trevor James, mores o than any attempt to explain the instrument.

[@adrianavendano7945]

No entiendo nada pero me gustan tus videos :) y eres linda, yo tambien toco flauta

[@shestewa6581]

A quick question. Why did she stop the G major scale (normal C major fingerings and C on the bass) on the D (top G in normal fingerings and G on the bass)? I've never played an alto or bass flute - do the fingerings or harmonics change after there or is that their range limit before things get funky?

[@GinaLuciani]

Fingerings are the same :) I just decided not to play the entire register of the flutes. Thanks for this great question!

[@Tia-Marie]

As for the bass flute, what is the average expected cost for an intermediate model? I know that's a loaded question as there are materials and brands that can make this price vary widely.

[@jeremiahjarrett5610]

What about a contra flute I play one in my band

[@coycathode]

What are your thoughts on guo bass/tenor flutes? I really want to invest in a TJ bass flute but I have fibromyalgia and can't tolerate the weight. My main concern with guo is the potential clackiness of the mechanism.

[@OnYourLeft.m]

How do you make your notes so short like you do when you play your scale a second time? Is there a name for this technique? Sorry for the dumb question.

[@GinaLuciani]

Not a dumb question at all. I am playing staccato - and in order to play fast I am double tonging :)

[@panfluteman2000]

Dear Gina - I noticed that you have a weird embouchure, that you are blowing more out of the side of your lips than from dead center. Is this just how you blow alto and bass flutes, or do you also blow more out of one side of your lips for the regular flute as well? The sound or beauty of your playing does not suffer any for it, though - you sound great!

[@GinaLuciani]

I just have an offset embouchure :) I had a "teardrop" shape on my upper lip when I was little (as many kids do) and I had to switch my embouchure around to deal with that. Your embouchure for the most part stays the same for alto/bass, just a little more relaxed!

[@sherlyncastillo6037]

I actually do this as well and never realized it until i got into highschool and my section leader kept telling me i was playing it wrong and that i should center my air instead but i cant seem to do it right so i still blow through the side 😂😅

[@user-mb9tb9yz6z]

Do they need more air than a regular flute?

[@sebastianzaczek]

Yes

[@derpysheep5872]

They’re larger, so yes

[@dillion755]

How different is it to play a bass compared to a normal flute?

[@sebastianzaczek]

Mr Dolphine first of all you need a hell Lot more air and of course they're way heavier than the c flute

[@Pepper_Meadow]

Outer Worlds flute

[@justanotherfluteguy]

Can you compare a sterling silver Burkart Elite to a silver Powell Custom?

[@GinaLuciani]

I'll add that to my list of videos to do :)

[@WickedWitchOfTheSouth]

May I ask what excerpt you played to demonstrate the bass?

[@user-vu3mh8vj6e]

Question: What are the tube diameters for each flute? I'm currently looking for a stand for my Bass Flute, I was wondering if I could use one for Alto Flute since they are easier to find on the market...

[@carenalisa]

😲 bass flute?!

[@GinaLuciani]

It's so fun to play!

[@emmakleinpeter5141]

So, with the code, would the trial be free as well or would we still have to pay for it?

[@GinaLuciani]

The trial is free and extended!

[@fartwrangler]

The last half-octave is missing?

[@Isis-vb8vz]

jeez howd you get enough money for all of them i have a yamaha 221 have had it for 5 years desperately need a neew but have no money for it any advice if you see this

[@GinaLuciani]

The flutes in these videos are all borrowed from The Flute Center of New York! As for my flute collection, I have had to do a lot of saving in order to build my collection over the years!

[@pedrocarrero9856]

Does the code work on the poloshing cloth that there selling

[@mikestang679]

I have the entire flute family, except a Contra-bass, a teacher told me years ago, that the Alto flute is actually a Tenor flute, there is no Alto per se, do you have any knowledge on the subject?

[@mikestang679]

Just found out that the bass flute is a member of the tenor family, must have got em' mixed-up, you do get light headed after playing/practicing for two hours..........

[@Eorzat]

Yeah, technically the bass flute is in the tenor range, so it really should be called a tenor flute, but I guess as far as flutes go, it's "bass" enough.

[@michaellee2731]

What alto flute you have and Bass flute

[@GinaLuciani]

Trevor James: Frosted Black Nickel (no longer available) Alto and Silver-Plated Bass Flute

[@besubala8234]

Thank you for making the videos. To see the finger positions as you play would be a nice feature. There are other ways to advertise other than blocking half the view...

[@itzmeggy0074]

which is easier, bass or alto?

[@ameliedonovan3958]

Amazing! What was the phrase you played at 3:05 and 3:32 from?

[@GinaLuciani]

It's from Host's "The Planets" :)

[@averyann4435]

From Neptune to be exact! Lol

[@originalorchestralexcerpts1991]

To be even more exact measures 1 to 14

[@Swerve422]

Hi Gina, on the Trevor James Altos; do you know or can you describe the tone difference between the silver plated, black nickel plated and copper plated versions? Anything would be helpful -- not much out there in reviews.... Thanks.....

[@tinabaker925]

Hi, I know I am a stranger and it has been two years since this comment was posted but I thought I might give some input. I have been playing on a nickel plated instrument for six or seven years now and I really like the sound of it, it feels a bit more mello and delicate to me which I think goes really well with my poetic style. I believe it is debated in the flute industry if plated instruments really do make a difference in the sound or not and to be honest I don't really know for sure whether the sound from my flute comes from the nickel or something else. WARNING though. Nickel doesn't react well with the oils in your hands and will tarnish very quickly. The plating on my flute has completely worn off on the parts where there is constant contact with my hands and has lost most of its shine throughout pretty much the rest of the instrument. I tried to be very careful in the beginning and polished off my finger prints everytime after I played for about two to three years,, but the tarnishing was relentless and happened anyway. This doesn't matter if you only care about how the instrument sounds and not how it looks, but I can't say I wasn't a bit disappointed. In conclusion I love my flute and think it has served me quite well but I wish I knew before hand just how much tarnishing would happen and been saved some grief of slowly watching my flute losing its shine and realizing it was out of my control.

[@rafaelsanchesdesouza6110]

now no one will say that the transverse flute does not match my bass voice....rsrsrs

[@katcop3942]

Hi I’m am a high school student who will be playing alto flute is there any change in reading music from someone who has only read concert pitch music?

[@sanstheskeleton2023]

Alto flute music is transposed. So if you're playing a piece in concert C major, your part would be in F major to comoensate.

[@Brekkerx]

Does the bass flute have different fingerings? And if so is it difficult to switch

[@carpediemarts705]

She says same. Octave lower

[@eduardomiranda7094]

I play the flute but every time I play it is to breathe-y. How do I fix that?

[@carpediemarts705]

Practice. Air focus. There are 2 or 3 vids on yt just on dealing w breathy tone.

[@StefT1112]

Does music for the bass flute use bass clef? What sheet music is out there for it?

[@xavierreyes7191]

AИIE no, its treble clef. Just sounding an octave lower its till written normally, like a piccolo

[@kittyplays2324]

Is it hard to play them????????? Btw in a cat. Do you have a contrabass flute?

[@petretepner8027]

I understand that players of the (regular, concert) flute can produce accurate microtones at quite a fine level of detail through changes in embouchure and mouthpiece angle. Does the same hold true for the lower-pìtched flutes, or are these instruments more limited in that respect?

[@pbl6888]

That video is nothing else than advertisement!

[@cesarromero6751]

I just play piccolo and regular flute idk why I'm hear!😂

[@emmazelene6751]

Is there a bass flute for less than $1,000

[@GinaLuciani]

As far as I know the cheapest on is $2k. Check the Flute Center of New York's website to look at all of the basses available!

[@bonstabear2783]

Yay I'm not the only one who played through the side of my lips

[@GinaLuciani]

You are definitely not alone! Even the great Rampal played with an offset embouchure!

[@gortube]

www.larrykrantz.com/embpic.htm

[@sherlyncastillo6037]

Broo me too.!

[@Xingqiwu387]

As a vegan, I would definitely NOT want the mother-of-pearl key tops. But great review!

[@KATE-jl5rt]

DID SHE JUST SAY THAT SHE WAS A FLUTE-IST NOT FLOWT-IST

[@GinaLuciani]

yup :)

[@em-st2kq]

K A T E * flautist

[@francoisvillon1300]

Джинса.

[@oboealto]

2 ads before the video, then some 80 more seconds of spoken commercial on Flute Center before we got any info... seriously, keep this to the end if you're going to place 2 ads...

[@osophine8672]

Dammit why are all these videos about bass and alto flutes sponsors for Flute Center

[@daslepistes]

This video was more like an advertisement rather than a demonstration/informative video. That's too bad.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@UCXTGynZWiV58u4z43Upn4PA Guo used the term Tenor Flute because it actually has a True Tenor Voice.