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
Western concert flute Blavet, Vivaldi, and Handel. Because of the works of such composers, the flute became popular as a solo instrument. However, there were few professional flutists who had the flute as their main instrument; many had the oboe. In 1707, Jacques Martin Hotteterre wrote the first method book on playing the flute: "Principes de la flûte traversière". The 1730s brought an increase in operatic and chamber music feature of flutes. The end of this era found the publication of "Essay of a Method of Playing the Transverse Flute" by Quantz. The orchestras formed in the last half of the 18th century