Each Forest Flute in our range is hand crafted from carefully selected hardwoods, and is therefore unique in sound and character. Flutes are available in three different scales: major, minor, and pentatonic, and are offered in two different styles: end-blown and side-blown. Flutes are tuned to A=440Hz as standard, but can alternatively be tuned to A=432Hz on request. These options are explained in more detail below, but please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any further questions.
Major, Minor, or Pentatonic
Our flutes are one octave in range, and available in Major, Minor or Pentatonic tunings. Each of these scales possesses its own unique character and expressive range, which can best be heard by watching the flute demo video below. All flutes make use of an extremely simple fingering system and are therefore quick to learn.
End-blown vs side-blown
End-blown flutes are similar in design to a recorder or a penny whistle, but have a beautiful, warm tone. The sound is achieved by simply blowing into the end of the instrument, making these flutes extremely easy to learn, and fun to play. In contrast, side-blown flutes are played like a traditional western flute, by blowing air across the tone hole to produce a sound. This can be more challenging to master but with a bit of practice will quickly become second nature. Side-blown flutes also provide the player with more control over the instrument’s tone and tuning.
A=440Hz vs A=432Hz
The modern day, standard tuning for instruments is typically A=440Hz, but that wasn’t always the case. In the past, tuning could have been anywhere between A=400Hz and A=480Hz, hence the need for an agreed standard. However, amongst some musicians, there has been a growing trend for instruments to be tuned to A=432Hz instead. The reasons for this are many and varied, with both spiritual and scientific arguments made for the use of this alternative tuning. A good summary of this subject can be found on the Izotope website here, but in terms of selecting a flute it may be worth considering how you are most likely to use your instrument. If you are planning on playing with other instruments, especially those likely to be tuned to 440Hz (such as piano), then it would make more sense to buy a flute tuned to 440Hz. Alternatively, if you are looking for a flute to play on its own, or with other 432Hz instruments, then a 432Hz instrument might be worth considering. If you’re still not sure, look out for my flute demo videos (coming soon), and see which sounds best to you.