Flauto contralto

As Printed on a Score

Labels the alto flute, often with its key: Flauto contralto in sol (or in G), Flauto in sol. The part is written in treble clef a perfect fourth above the sound, so a reader transposes down a fourth. Some scores, notably older English ones, call the same instrument bass flute; the key given with the name settles which instrument is meant.

Also spelled: Flauto in sol

How Composers Use It

The flute in G, a fourth below the ordinary flute, written from C4 (sounding G3) through about three octaves. Its bottom octave is dark, breathy and beautiful but very soft, so it needs a light texture — muted strings, harp, a few winds. Higher up it sounds much like a normal flute and loses its point. Ravel and Stravinsky gave it memorable low lines; give a doubling flutist time to change instruments.

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