dubstep

I went wireless with the internet last week! Should have done it ages ago! Became my inspiration for today's loosely themed tunes! Enjoy! Athlete - Wires [Live from Glastonbury] MP3 MySpace The Envy Corps - Wires & Wool… (in post Sunday's 7 degrees of Separation from Mixtape 4 Melfi. Download this at eMusic Amie Street Amazon iTunes More by this artist at eMusic Amie Street)

The flute is a woodwind instrument that is still widely popular even though it has been around for hundreds of years. The flute is the highest pitched instrument in most bands (especially beginner ones, as the piccolo is not always used), and it is made of metal. Unlike the other members of the woodwind family (the clarinet, the saxophone, etc) the flute does not utilize reeds. Rather, the sound is produced by pushing air through the cylindrical instrument.

The proto-flute has been around for thousands of years - archeologists unearth bones with holes in them can be played very similar to a flute all the time. As of writing this article, every civilization past and present has some instrument that resembles a flute; yet the flute as we know it is a relatively modern invention. The final product, the flute still used today in beginner bands to professional orchestras, was created only a couple hundred years ago.

Flutes are deceptive in their appearance - although the flute can be very easy to play once you get the hang of it, they can be very tricky in the initial learning stages. Sound is created by pursing the lips, blowing into a hole, and the new wind stream (introduced by the breath) bounces around and interacts with the air already in the cylinder. Specific notes then correspond to whichever holes are opened or closed, which ultimately lengthens or shortens the cylinder (or resonator, to be more specific). A good, strong tone is only achieved when the air flow is constant. That may sound easier than it actually is, but practice will strengthen the diaphragm and thus lead to loud clear tones.

Most flutes people will encounter are the transverse flutes - these are the flutes that are side blown. Transverse flutes can accommodate each individuals arm length, which is important to ensure all proper fingerings can be achieved. Other flutes include Pan Flutes (as depicted in Greek mythology, most famously), Ocarina, Xaio, Indian Bamboo Flute, Bass flute, and the list goes on and on. On the professional level, virtually all flautists play "open hole" flutes, which in appearance are like beginning transverse flutes, but are much harder to play.

Flutes are common in beginner bands, high school bands, and university level bands. However, the flute is still used in the military, orchestras, symphonies, jazz ensembles, rock bands, woodwind ensembles...the list is endless. Interestingly enough, the flute is enjoying a resurgence in popular music, for its' tones can add just the right amount of pizzazz to any music.

If you are considering playing a flute, there are innumerable flutes instructors all over the country. Once you learn the basic fingerings and how to read music, there is ample sheet music, spanning all music genres, designed specifically for flutes. With practice and a decent amount of dedication, you can be playing this beautiful instrument in no time.

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