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
Xiao (flute) Xiao (flute) The xiao (, pronounced ) is a Chinese vertical end-blown flute. It is generally made of bamboo. It is also sometimes called dòngxiāo (), "dòng" meaning "hole." An ancient name for the xiāo is "shùzhúdí" (, lit. "vertical bamboo flute", ) but the name "xiāo" in ancient times also included the side-blown bamboo flute, "dizi". The "xiāo" is a very ancient Chinese instrument usually thought to have developed from a simple end-blown flute used by the Qiang people of Southwest China in ancient period. "Xiao" are mostly made of bamboo, the best being 'purple bamboo' or . Sometimes,