Flute Keys, Frequencies and Pitches

This page lists the various keys of Native American flutes. The Flute Key and Fundamental Note of the flute is the Lowest note played by the flute when all the playing holes are closed.

The Ranges of Native American Flute

  • High  – Octave on the piano represented by number 5. A range of flutes that is quite high, but playable flutes can be made. Flutes in this range often sound good when paired with a flute an octave lower in duets.
  • Mid-Range to Low-Range  – Octave on the piano represented by number 4. The range for the majority of Native American flutes that are constructed. This range strikes a balance between a good sound for the Native American flute, and the ability to reach the finger holes for most players. The center of this range, the keys of F# and G, are the most common keys for Native American flutes. These keys are a good choice for most first-time players of the Native American flute. For adult players with a smaller hand reach, a Native American flute in the key of A might be a better choice.
  • Low to Bass – Octave on the piano represented by number 3. A range that usually produces a soothing, mellow sound from the Native American flute. Often used in mellow or meditation style songs. Since Native American flutes do not have keys or mechanisms to extend the reach of the fingers, these flutes tend to be difficult to play for people with a small finger reach. Flutes at the low end of the baritone range often are “side-blown” so that the arms can reach the finger holes.
  • Bass to Contra Bass – Octave on the piano represented by number 2. The extreme lower end of the range for playable Native American flutes. Flutes in this range are sometimes produced as a curiosity rather than a serious attempt at producing a quality sound. One exception is the Slovakian Fujara … an instrument of excellent sound quality that is a cousin in design to the Native American flute.
    It is always an experimental possibility to build flutes in this range as every opportunity to build is an opportunity to evolve a flute of this range, since many flute players (women specifically in my experience) yearn to play the lowest range possible.
 
Range Key and
Fundamental
Note
Frequency A4 = 432Hz Frequency A4 = 440Hz Piano
Key#
Sound Sample
High – Alto B5 969.81 987.767 63
Bb5 (A#5) 915.38 932.328 62
A5 864.00 880.000 61
G#5 (Ab5) 815.51 830.609 60
G5 769.74 783.991 59
F#5 (Gb5) 726.53 739.989 58
F5 685.76 698.456 57
E5 647.27 659.255 56
Eb5 (D#5) 610.94 622.254 55
D5 576.65 587.330 54
C#5 (Db5) 544.29 554.365 53
C5 513.74 523.251 52
Mid-Range – Low Range (Low D and Low C)
B4 484.90 493.883 51
Bb4 (A#4) 457.69 466.164 50
A4 432.00 440.000 49
G#4 (Ab4) 407.75 415.305 48
G4 384.87 391.995 47
F#4 (Gb4) 363.27 369.994 46
F4 342.88 349.228 45
E4 323.63 329.628 44
Eb4 (D#4) 305.47 311.127 43
D4 288.33 293.665 42
C#4 (Db4) 272.14 277.183 41
C4 256.87 261.626 40
Low – Bass
B3 242.45 246.942 39
Bb3 (A#3) 228.84 233.082 38
A3 216.00 220.000 37
G#3 (Ab3) 203.88 207.652 36
G3 192.43 195.998 35
F#3 (Gb3) 181.63 184.997 34
F3 171.44 174.614 33
E3 161.82 164.814 32
Eb3 (D#3) 152.74 155.563 31
D3 144.16 146.832 30
C#3 (Db3) 136.07 138.591 29
C3 128.43 130.813 28

Very Low
Bass – Contra Bass

B2 121.23 123.471 27
Bb2 (A#2) 114.42 116.541 26
A2 108.00 110.000 25
G#2 (Ab2) 101.94 103.826 24
G2 96.22 97.999 23
F#2 (Gb2) 90.82 92.499 22
F2 85.72 87.307 21
E2 80.91 82.407 20
Eb2 (D#2) 76.37 77.782 19
D2 72.08 73.416 18
C#2 (Db2) 68.04 69.296 17
C2 64.22 65.406 16