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 |
|
|