Writing Music for Television and Radio Commercials (and more): A Manual for Composers and Students

Arranging and Orchestration Concepts !! 129

Example 6-29 Piccolo range: staff indicates where the parts are written.

have great dexterity and can perform almost anything. The repertoire con-
sists of flute concertos in addition to extensive chamber music pieces.
Flutes blend well with all woodwind and strings.
Range:The C flute is a nontransposing instrument. Parts are written
in the treble clef. It sounds one octave below the piccolo. The lowest note
is middle C, and the highest note is C (8va), written above the treble clef
(see example 6-30).

Example 6-30 Flute in C range.

Alto Flute in G

The alto flute is a warm-sounding instrument and is popular in jazz. Three
or four alto flutes playing in unison produce a soothing sound. Since they
are soft, an arrangement has to be transparent so that the instrument can
be heard. The alto flute takes more air to play than a C flute, so arrangers
should not write parts that require as much physical dexterity as the C
flute.
Range:Parts are written in the treble clef and sound a perfect fourth
below where they are written. The lowest written note is middle C, and
the highest written note is C, two octaves above the treble clef. Some flut-
ists can play higher (see example 6-31).

Example 6-31 Alto flute range: staff indicates where the parts are written.