When most people hear the word flute they think of that long silver instrument in orchestras that has that really high-pitched sound that seems to break through the other instruments. Few people consider that 'flute' is actually a word that includes a whole range of different instruments from around the world that, while sharing the same characteristics to some degree; differ widely from each other. Flutes have been around for a very long time and they have been made from bone, wood and a whole range of other materials - usually whatever people could get their hands on. For the most part these old flutes now stand unused on a
flute stand in some museum.
Today the flutes that people recognize as flutes only bring together a small percentage of the wide range that is available. Some people may have seen the other types of flute stands in museums or music shops but never stopped to consider them. Whatever their origin, flutes usually come in one of two broad categories. With most flutes the musician has to blow directly across the opening of the flute to create a sound. Some flutes have the musician blowing directly into the end of the flute that forces the air over and edge to create the sound. Some people do not regard these as true flutes. The other type of flute is the traverse flute where the musician blows air across a hole in the side of the flute tube. The well-known concert flute is an example of this type of flute.
Another type of flute that people may have seen on a flute stand or even seen someone playing is the Native American flute. This flute has a different method to its sound generation than those mentioned above. In some circles it is called a dual chambered duct flute. There are two chambers that are separated by a wooden plug that has a duct in it to let air through. This little duct transports the air from the first chamber - called the slow air chamber - into the second chamber - called the sounding chamber. The air is directed against a splitting edge in the sound chamber that causes the vibrations and thus the sound. Unlike the flutes mentioned above, these flutes are very easy to learn and to play without any experience whatsoever.
Most of the historical flutes are not really played anymore. There are many reasons for this but the main reason is that there is no one around that knows how they work anymore. There are historical experts on these instruments that might still play them, but on the whole they are usually relegated to a flute stand to be a decoration rather than an instrument. The Native American flute is one of the few historical flutes that are still made and played in many places in North America. But it is one of the few. There are so many different flutes throughout the world that it is no wonder that some fall by the wayside as time goes on. These simple instruments have been entertaining us for a long time and they are likely to keep entertaining for a long time yet.
