Double Flute

Index in Hornbostel-Sachs classification : 421.2

The double flute is a polyphonic instrument that begins to appear in iconography around the thirteenth or fourteenth century. Double flutes are a type of fipple flute, which contain a bevel that splits the air blown into the instrument [1]. The resulting vibration from the split air produces sound. The body of the instrument is generally made of wood. Double flutes are characterized by two pipes descending from a single mouthpiece. Double flutes come in two types: two melody pipes, or one melody pipe and one drone pipe. Melody pipes have finger holes, whereas drone pipes do not.

The word flute first entered the English language as floute, possibly from Old French flaute and from Old Provençal flaüt, via Middle High German floite or Dutch fluit. The first known use of the word flute was in the 14th century. A musician who plays the flute can be referred to as a flautist, flutist, or flute player. Until the eighteenth century, the names "recorder" and "flute" overlapped, and in England, the word "flute" always meant recorder [2]. The word "recorder" in English comes from the Middle French verb recorder, around the early thirteenth century. By the eighteenth century, the transverse flute overtook the recorder in popularity, and the recorder was variously called the "common flute" or "English flute," while the transverse instrument was referred to as the "German flute" or simply "flute." Some writers continued to use "flute" to mean recorder throughout the eighteenth century [3].

Double flutes are a secular instrument, played by men, women, and professional musicians. Medieval images from as early as the twelfth or thirteenth century contain double flutes, though they are more rare than other medieval instruments. Occasionally, these images will depict putti playing double flutes. Double flutes belong to the family of bas instruments).

Other terms for the double flute include : (fr) flûte double, flageolet, double recorder.

Examples of Double flutes

King David playing the harp with six musicians playing the vile, double flute, a pan flute, a psaltry, and bells. Paris, Bibliothèque Mazarine, MS 36, f. 214, 13th century.