Theobald Boehm Flute (2024)

FAQs

How did Boehm change the flute? ›

Boehm's first innovation was the introduction of larger holes on the conical-bore flute, which made the instrument louder, and key rings and a coupling mechanism to avoid cross-fingering, which made the timbre more hom*ogeneous.

The Boehm system is a system of keywork for the flute, created by inventor and flautist Theobald Boehm between 1831 and 1847.

James Galway is considered by many seasoned and newbie flute players as one of the greatest flute players and the most famous in the world.

The mouthpiece hole is where the player blows air to produce sound. The other holes of the flute were replaced with keys by Theobald Boehm in the 17th century. With the help of special keys or foot joints, the flute is capable of playing a range of over three octaves.

Theobald Boehm of Munich, 1794-1881, learned his father's trade of goldsmith; he used this skill to make a flute for himself and became so proficient that at the age of eighteen he was appointed first flutist in a theater orchestra. While still an active performer he started making flutes for himself and for others.

Fun fact: According to mythology, Athena invented the flute, but when she played it her cheeks puffed out, disfiguring her face, so the other gods made fun of her. Top image: One-handled jug (lekythos). Fels Memorial Gift.

Lizzo made further headlines in 2022 when she played a crystal flute previously owned by President James Madison at the Library of Congress in Washington, as well as during her concert in the district.

James Galway (born 1939) James Galway is widely regarded as one of the leading flautists of today. Among many others, his career has included playing with London's major orchestras, and as solo flautist with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

James Galway is considered the greatest flute player and the world's most famous by many seasoned and newbie flute players.

Bansuri is used in Hindustani classical music (North-Indian) which consist of 6 or 7 holes, where as, the Carnatic classical music (South-Indian) uses the Venu which consist of 8 holes but most of the time only 7 are used.

Which flute has 8 holes? ›

Venu is constructed with eight playing holes and one blowing hole. Of these eight playing holes, seven are actually used for playing and the last finger hole is used in tuning. The bansuri has six playing holes and one blowing hole.

1820. Theobald Boehm (1794-1881) is considered to have created the most important evolution of the flute in its entire history. Boehm was born in Munich and was trained as a jeweler and goldsmith.

In the 17th century, instrument makers began making important changes in flute construction, mostly dealing with improving the instrument's tuning, portability, and sweet sound. Flute makers in Italy and the Netherlands began increasing the diameter of the flute's long tube, called the bore. This mellowed its sound.

It has made the modern flute louder and brighter in timbre and has given it a timbre that changes little from one note to the next, and a greater facility for playing in or near equal temperament. Further, Boehm's key system is arguably the most convenient of all woodwinds [1,2].

Design perfected by Theobald Boehm!

With earlier flutes, it had been difficult to even get a note out of them, and the intervals between the notes had been variable. Boehm's instrument was a dramatic improvement, however, and overcame these shortcomings.

“They say that (Athena) was the first to fashion a flute out of deer-bone. She came to the gods' banquet table to play it, but (Hera) and (Aphrodite) made fun of her because she turned blue and puffed out her cheeks.” Athena ran to a forest and tried to play it again by herself.