The Magic Flute Study Guide - Manitoba Opera

Raw Materials
Some modern flutes are made from wood that produces a different
sound from metal flutes. These wooden flutes generally have metal
keys and mechanisms. Most flutes are made of metal. Less
expensive flutes, intended for students, may be made from alloys of
nickel and other metals. More expensive flutes may be plated with
silver.
The pads attached to the surface of the keys in order to cover the
holes are made of cork and felt. The springs that provide tension to
hold the keys firmly against the holes may be made of steel, bronze,
or gold. The pins and screws that hold the mechanism together are
made of steel. The mouthpiece, containing the hole into which air is
blown, may be made of the same metal as the rest of the flute, or it
may be made of another metal, such as platinum.
Design
Every flute is an individually crafted work of art. Students need relatively inexpensive but reliable
instruments. Professional musicians must have instruments of very high quality, often with special
changes made in the keys to accommodate special needs.
The most individual portion of a flute is the head joint. Professional musicians often test several head
joints before selecting one which produces the sound they prefer. Head joints are often manufactured
to meet the special demands of individual musicians.
The material from which a flute is made greatly alters the sound which is produced. Wooden flutes
produce a dark sound. Silver flutes produce a bright sound. The thickness of the metal used to make
a flute also alters the sound it makes, as well as changing the weight of the instrument. All these
factors may influence the design of a flute preferred by a particular musician.
A flute may be elaborately decorated. The physical appearance of a flute is an important consideration
for professional musicians who perform in public. The most detailed designs are likely to be found on
the professional quality flutes. The process of forming these designs, known as chasing, requires the
skill of an experienced artist, and makes the individual flute a truly unique instrument.
Most flutes are made of metal. Less expensive flutes, intended for students, may be made from alloys
of nickel and other metals. More expensive flutes may be plated with silver. All flutes are individually
assembled and play tested prior to sale.
The Future
Very few changes have been made in the basic design of
the modern transverse flute since the middle of the 19th
century. Flutemakers will continue to find ways to make
small but critical changes in individual instruments to fit
the needs of individual musicians.
Two seemingly opposite trends hint at the future of
flutemaking. Many performers of music from the
Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical periods prefer to use
flutes that resemble the instruments used during those
times. Such instruments are believed to be more suited
to older music than modern flutes, which were developed
during the Romantic period. On the other hand, many
A scene from the film, The Magic Flute, 2006
performers of jazz, rock, and experimental music use
electronic devices to alter the sounds of flutes in new ways. Despite these two trends, the instrument
originally designed by Theobald Bohm is likely to dominate flutemaking for many years to come.
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