Musical instrument been used to play four notes of a diatonic scale. Researchers estimate the flute's age at between 43,400 and 67,000 years, making it the oldest known musical instrument and the only musical instrument associated with the Neanderthal culture. However, some archaeologists and ethnomusicologists dispute the flute's status as a musical instrument. German archaeologists have found mammoth bone and swan bone flutes dating back to 30,000 to 37,000 years old in the Swabian Alps. The flutes were made in the Upper Paleolithic age, and are more commonly accepted as being the oldest known musical instruments. Archaeological evidence of musical instruments was
Institute of Musical Instrument Technology u. Söhne Pianos) and Dr William McVicker (Royal Festival Hall). Corporate members of the institute use the letters F.I.M.I.T. (Fellow of the Institute of Musical Instrument Technology), and M.I.M.I.T. (Member of the Institute of Musical Instrument Technology). Honorary Life Members and Honorary Life Fellows are also Corporate members. Associates use the initials A.I.M.I.T. (Associate of the Institute of Musical Instrument Technology) but are Non-corporate members. Honorary Fellows, Students, Companions, and Graduates are not Corporate members. The Institute publishes a Newsletter and an annual "Directory", both of which are available exclusively to its membership. The current President/Secretary is Malcolm Dalton FIMIT;