Große Flöte

As Printed on a Score

Seen mostly in flute parts where a player doubles on piccolo: “nehmen gr. Flöte”, “Gr. Flöte vorbereiten”, then “gr. Fl.” where the ordinary flute resumes. Some German scores also label flute staves Große Flöten to distinguish them from the kleine Flöte. Reading changes with it: piccolo parts sound an octave higher than written, flute parts at pitch.

Abbreviations: Gr. Fl., Gr. Flöte

Also spelled: Grosse Flöte

How Composers Use It

The concert flute, written and sounding in treble clef from middle C (the B below with a B foot) up to about the C three octaves higher. Its low register is soft and breathy and easily covered; the middle sings; the top is bright and penetrating. When a player switches from piccolo, allow time and print the change where the rest begins.

Example

Mahler, Symphony No. 5, fifth movement (Rondo-Finale), piccolo, m. 420: “nehmen schnell gr. Flöte”, then at m. 422 “gr. Fl.” as the player switches back.

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