How Low Can a Flute Go?: FAQ About The Contrabass Flute!

I recently got a contrabass flute after years of longing for one. It has been an amazing experience so far playing all these ultra low notes, but I have received so many questions about what this thing actually is and how it works. So here is a list of the FAQ about the contrabass flute.

What Is a Contrabass Flute?

An intro to the contrabass flute with a performance of Grandfather’s contrabass flute solo from my children’s music book “Flutie’s Family Reunion.”

A contrabass flute is the lowest standard member of the concert flute family. The other common members of the family from highest to lowest include piccolo, concert flute, alto flute, and bass flute. Although it is the lowest standard member of the family, it is still not overly common, but they are far more common than some other low flutes out there like contr’altos and double contrabasses.

The contrabass sounds two octaves lower than the standard concert flute or one octave lower than the bass flute. But like a concert flute, it has a three octave range. So the note reading and most of the fingerings (except possibly some of the high notes and some alternate fingerings for intonation) are the same on contrabass as the flute.

Also, some contrabass flutes like mine come with a low B footjoint (similar to those available on other types of concert flutes), so the lowest note you can play is B below the staff instead of just C. And some contrabass flutes have trill keys but some don’t. Otherwise, in terms of keys and fingering, it is very similar to the concert flute. And the finger stretch isn’t as much as you would think since there are key extensions and finger buttons to allow the hand to reach all the keys easily.

The biggest difference (besides size) between a contrabass and the other smaller members of the concert flute family is that the contrabass is played vertically and usually with the player only standing up or sitting on a high stool. The footjoint has a retractable peg that rests on the floor and the headjoint is bent around into a big triangle to make it possible for the flutist to reach the embouchure hole.

How Big Is a Contrabass and How Much Does It Weigh?

The contrabass flute weighs a whopping 3 and a half pounds. Yes, you read that right, 3.5 pounds. I was a little mind-blown when I weighed the flute because I was sure it was going to say something like 15 to 20 pounds. When it is in its case though, it weighs 18 pounds, but by itself it is just 3 and a half.

However, the main reason it is so hard to hold and to carry is not the weight, but simply its size. The tubes have a 2 inch diameter and when the instrument is fully assembled, it is about 6 feet tall!

How Do You Reach the Headjoint to Blow?

It is not as hard to reach the embouchure hole as you would think. Since the footjoint has a retractable peg, you can let it out or keep it in as much as you need to work for your height. I do have the advantage (for playing contra anyway) of being tall, about 5’11”, so I have to have the peg almost all the way out when standing to play. However, I have heard that sometimes those that are pretty short would not only need to put the peg all the way in but maybe even stand on a small platform to add a couple of extra inches to reach the heajoint more easily.

How Do You Put the Contra Together and How Long Does It Take to Assemble or Disassemble?

Unlike most concert flutes which have just a headjoint, body, and footjoint, the contrabass flute has six parts: a footjoint, right hand joint, left hand joint, tube that is triangular to connect the left hand joint to another small curved joint, the small curved joint to connect the triangular tube to the headjoint, and the headjoint itself. They need to fit together in that order. Also, the connecting joints to the headjoint and left hand section have screws that allow you to turn the parts to the angle appropriate for you when loose and that keep the parts secure when tightened. There is also a stand that the contrabass leans on when you are not playing it.

It takes a long time to assemble and especially to disassemble. When putting the flute away and thoroughly cleaning out both the inside and outside, it usually takes me over 20 minutes! There’s a lot of tubing to clean!

*All the many parts to a contrabass flute!* *So many in fact that the parts have to be stacked in two layers inside the case in order to fit, one on top of the other.*

How Much Air Does It Take to Play?

It definitely takes more air than the normal concert flute to play, but you can actually play for longer than you might expect without breathing. Playing a low A on my concert flute at a mezzo forte or medium loud dynamic, I can last about 30 seconds. Doing the same thing on my contrabass flute, I can last about 16 seconds.

A bigger hurdle than having enough air to blow is how to properly control the air. Just like any other flute, a flexible and precise embouchure is very important. Your lips need to be very accurate to hit all the right octaves across the range of the flute.

Where Do Contrabass Flutes Play?

Contrabass flutes are most commonly found in flute choirs, ensembles of flutes made up of the different members of the concert flute family. Since they are so big and sound so low, they are not as loud as the higher members of the family, therefore they are not usually played in bands or orchestras. They also sometimes play as soloists or in small ensembles, however. And some contrabass flutists prefer to have their instrument miked to be more easily audible.

How Do I Purchase a Contrabass and How Much Do They Cost?

You will most likely not find a contrabass flute at your local band store. They must be purchased from flute specialty stores. They cannot be found at all of those either, so you need to check with the company you are thinking about buying from in advance to see if they have any in stock. Here is one example, a Pearl contrabass flute.

No, they are not super cheap. Basic models can be pricey, and handmade professional models are obviously even pricier. But if you are obsessed with low notes that make the ground rumble and having all the main instruments in the concert flute family like I am, then it is worth the investment.