Alto flute Alto flute The alto flute is a type of Western concert flute, a musical instrument in the woodwind family. It is the next extension downward of the C flute after the flûte d'amour. It is characterized by its distinct, mellow tone in the lower portion of its range. It is a transposing instrument in G and, like the piccolo and bass flute, uses the same fingerings as the C flute. The tube of the alto flute is considerably thicker and longer than a C flute and requires more breath from the player. This gives it a greater dynamic presence in
Members of the western concert flute family range of just over three octaves starting from the musical note C (corresponding to middle C on the piano), however, some experienced flautists are able to reach C. Many professional flutes have a longer B-foot joint, which can reach B. The "flûte d'amour" or "flauto d'amore" is pitched in either A or B and is intermediate in size between the modern C concert flute and the alto flute in G. It is the mezzo-soprano member of the flute family. It is sometimes referred to as a tenor flute. The range of the instrument is from A to E. The B