The range of the C flute in common orchestration is C - c`` (three octaves). If you`re writing for flute then stick to that. If you`re getting ready for all-state auditions then learn the three octave scale.
You can favorably impress a judge by playing the three octave scale on C and "turninig" on the high d before coming back down. The fingering IS awkward so work it well.

HOWEVER - the upper range of the flute (like that of the trumpet for example) is limitted only by the ability of the player. It IS possible to player higher than c, f, f#, and even g. It just sounds like crap so nobody does so -- why would we when the piccolo can play the same tone so much cleaner?

The lowest note on the C flute is C -- many flutes have a low B -- some flutes have a low Bb. You can get a reasonable low Bb on a B foot flute by occluding the end of the instrument. A touch difficult, but possible.

If you use the extended range, it`s the highest G on the piano

This link cites a High F#7 with the fingerings.
http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/music/flute/modernB/Fsharp7.html
There may be a High G7 somewhere if I look harder. There are several modern pieces that utilize the High D7.

Bilbo

Welcome Bilbo.
I think that is the link I provided about 5 pages back.
110 posts about the highest note. LOL!

Quote:"

Welcome Bilbo.
I think that is the link I provided about 5 pages back.
110 posts about the highest note. LOL!" end quote.

Sorry that I didn`t take the time to readd all the posts and I was looking for a different link but it eluded me.
Here`s a High G from another source :
T 023 G# 05x5 0
Bilbo

its a b just because your fingering chart goes that high that doesnt mean that is the highest. Well maybe its just for people with b foot, footjoint

Did you read on that site, from the acoustics experts who compiled it, that there are sound acoustic reasons why a flute cannot go higher still.

Arak, I`m not finding it by scanning through but I`d assume that phenomon may be because of the cork stopper location. I think that the limit to the upper partials of an overtone series on a simple brass instrument is limited by the player and the moutpiece bore. I did discover something the other day. The flute will play fairly well (With a rather bad tone) if you remove the cork totally.
hehe, only took me 42 years to even get around to trying that out.
I know that Sat.morn, a student`s Piccolo would not play high notes. I checked the pad seals fairly well and it did play down to low D but the only thing that I adjusted was the cork location (It was in too far) to get it to work chromatically all the way up to C7. That`s about my Picc. limit as it rials up the dogs in the house above that.

~Bilbo
P.S. when someone trys to state the highest note, could they please either use the more exacting b7, b6 nomencalture or at least include the fingering like C = 123G# 4 so that we can be more exact. I`ve been playing the high F7 fairly regularly for years but the high Eb7 is a bugger for me. There are also recordings with F7 being used.

Playing without the stopper. Interesting. I never thought of trying that either, but it makes perfect sense. After all the flute is a tube open at both ends. Therefore the embouchure hole is a tone hole, and the tubing above it is not particularly relevant.

It so happens that it doubles as part of the mechanism for exciting the sound. These compromises make it too small to be a fully EFFECTIVE tone hole. Hence the acoustic jiggery-pokery above the tone hole.

A link to the statement re notes above G is called "F#7 and G7?" and can be found in the third line under heading "2" at
http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/music/flute/virtual/main.html

Nomenclature: I think the problem is not so much the naming system with letters followed by numbers, but having the knowledge of the DETAILS of that convention. For example, is it letter based such that the next note above G5 would be A6 (I agree - incorrect), and is the 2nd leger line C on flute the top of the second octave, or the bottom of the third? I forget this one very easily.

(For the standard nomenclature see a link in the same line in the above web site)

I prefer to use descriptive terms such as 3rd octave B, or the 4th C, or 4th octave F, where memorising the details of standard nomenclature is not needed.

Thanks for the link.
It did make sense. And As I thought the Stopper makes the flute a bit different from the brass instruments in it`s overtone series production. The statement"It is possible to shift this effect of the upstream air to higher frequencies by moving the cork closer to the embouchure hole. This does allow you to play higher notes, but...." related to my comment about a Flauto Piccolo issue with a cork BUT I had to move the cork away from the Emb. hole for the high notes above F5 to sound.

As for note naming, There is that built-in issue with letters followed by numbers as well as which octave is C1-B1. It can be the lowest C in music, making our Mid C a C4 (the way that these Aussies as NSWU) or we as flutists can label the Piano middle C as C1. The Aussie link that we are using graphs out the note names fairly well though so it`s easy to understand.
We could also complicate matters and use MIDI #s, Frequencies
http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/~jw/notes.html
or French naming. Do, Re, etc...

~Bilbo

since studying flute at university i have been asked to play music which goes very high and it is possible to go up to a 4th F above high c``````` so basically F at top of piano. if anyone would like a any fingerings for high notes feel free to email me for them

"since studying flute at university i have been asked to play music which goes very high and it is possible to go up to a 4th F above high c``````` so basically F at top of piano. if anyone would like a any fingerings for high notes feel free to email me for them"

Oh my gosh....(emails you for fingerings)

4th octave fingerings:
http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/flute/ofl_bas_4.html

The Rubank Advanced methods include a complete fingering chart with these fingerings.

I know this is kinda old news now, but I was looking through this post. I must say some people are very rude as I have stated before. I also just wanted to let Piko know that it says that those fingerings are for an open G# flute. Does it make a difference if we don't play on one of those? Just asking.

-Dennis

Oh no! lol. Completely missed that open-G# reference, those fingerings won't work at all, but these ones will:

http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/flute/fl_alt_4.html

Gee, good catch.