Subcontrabass flute

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The subcontrabass flute is one of the largest instruments in the flute family. It is over six feet high and over 15 feet long. The term may be used to refer to either of two instruments:

1. An instrument in the key of G, pitched a fourth below the contrabass flute in C and two octaves below the alto flute in G; it is sometimes also called "double contra-alto flute"
2. An instrument in the key of C, pitched three octaves below the concert flute, two octaves below the bass flute, and one octave below the contrabass flute (also called double contrabass flute or "octobass flute")

The subcontrabass flute is almost never used outside of flute ensembles. It is sometimes called the "gentle giant" of the flute family because of its gentle sound. At present, the subcontrabass flute is an instrument that must be custom ordered. It may be made out of PVC or metal.

A PVC subcontrabass flute in C is made by the Dutch flute maker Jelle Hogenhuis. Although the flute was designed to be an ensemble instrument it was immediately discovered by various solo artists who saw the merits for their musical purposes. The bore is wider than what one usually finds in a metal subcontrabass flute. The PVC bit makes a rather light flute (only 8 or 9 kilos) and enables a quick and cheap production. At the same time the PVC appears to produce quite a big tone. On this flute low C (as low as a string bass with a C-attachment!) is surprisingly easy to play.

[edit] Links

• Jelle Hogenhuis Web Site
• Eva Kingma subcontrabass flute in G
• Photo of Maria Ramey playing Kingma subcontrabass flute in G

Members of the Western concert flute family
Piccolo • Treble flute • Soprano flute • Concert flute • Flûte d'amour • Alto flute • Bass flute • Contra-alto flute • Contrabass flute • Subcontrabass flute • Double contrabass flute • Hyperbass flute