The subcontrabass flute (also double contra-alto flute) is one of the largest instruments in the

flute The flute is a family of classical music instrument in the woodwind group. Like all woodwinds, flutes are aerophones, meaning they make sound by vibrating a column of air. However, unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is a reedless ...

family, with tubing measuring over long. The instrument is made either in the key of G, pitched a fourth below the

contrabass flute The contrabass flute is one of the rarer members of the flute family. Typically seen in flute ensembles, it is sometimes also used in solo and chamber music situations. Its range is similar to the regular concert flute, except it is pitched two ...

in C and two octaves below the

alto flute The alto flute is an instrument in the Western concert flute family, the second-highest member below the standard C flute after the uncommon flûte d'amour. It is the third most common member of its family after the standard C flute and the ...

in G, or in F, pitched a fifth below the contrabass flute. The subcontrabass flute is rarely used outside of flute ensembles. It is sometimes called the "gentle giant" of the flute family because of its gentle sound. At present, the subcontrabass flute is an instrument that must be custom ordered. It may be made out of PVC or metal. This instrument's unique sound quality, dark tone, and at times sluggish articulation doesn't make this the best for a solo instrument due to the fact that it is very big and requires much air from the body. A workable range of two and a half octaves the instrument has some projection issues, though the Hogenhuis models designed from PVC can make a fine, vibrant and raucous tone when required. Due to the instrument's bore width (the diameter of the tube is approximately three inches), the sonic possibilities are almost endless, with excellent response to overtones, singing tones, and

multiphonics A multiphonic is an extended technique on a monophonic musical instrument (one that generally produces only one note at a time) in which several notes are produced at once. This includes wind, reed, and brass instruments, as well as the human voice ...

(chord tones). C₃–G₃ sounds rich and it has great opportunities for dynamic power and accent. A₃–D₄ The tone becomes less secure and loses some of the lower partials and it is great for blending. E₄–C₅ has a weaker and somewhat unfocused pitch center which may be a good choice for blend or effect.

Naming

The double contra-alto flute (or ''contrabass flute''), an instrument in the key of C pitched a fifth lower than the subcontrabass flute in G, is sometimes referred to as a ''subcontrabass flute''.

Compositions

"And the Giant Began to Dance..." (Peter Sheridan), on the album '' Below: Music for Low Flutes''.

References

Side-blown flutes Contrabass instruments {{Flute-stub