This list has been compiled through the input of members of the Flutemakers mailing list, and includes books,
articles, and web resources that have proven useful and practical in the construction of flutes of all kinds.
If you have any other recommendations–or brief comments on a book already here–please
contact me.
Where comments come from more than one source,
they will be numbered to separate them. Do not expect
to agree with all comments.
Baines, Anthony
Woodwind Instruments and Their History.
New York: Dover, 1991 [reprint].
Wonderful resource for all woodwind instruments, not just flute. The
keywork diagrams are very useful if you ever come across a Rudall Carte
Radcliff or 1867 model in need of repair.
Bate, Philip
"The Flute; A study of its History, Development, and Construction"
; Published by Ernest Benn Limited, London; Copyright 1969 Readings in the History of the Flute :
monographs, essays, reviews, letters and advertisements from
nineteenth-century London, selected and edited with an introduction
by Robert Bigio.
Published by (and available from) Tony Bingham,
www.oldmusicalinstruments.co.uk or from
robert@bigio.com.
Bigio, Robert
Rudall, Rose
& Carte: The Art of the Flute in Britain.
A comprehensive history of the firm and contains detailed
descriptions of the many innovative instruments they made. There are
hundreds of colour photographs of flutes, alto flutes, bass flutes
and piccolos, each shown in at least two views, and where necessary
in three or four views with photographs of details. The firm’s
output is shown in context with photographs of dozens of flutes made
by their competitors including Willis, Prowse, Monzani, Wood, Wylde,
‘Pratten’s Perfected’ by Boosey & Co., Fentum, Godfroy, Koch, Boehm,
Laurent, Gerock, Badger, Ward, Card, Siccama, Clinton, Lot, Collard
and Boehm & Mendler.
Published by (and available from) Tony Bingham,
www.oldmusicalinstruments.co.uk or from
robert@bigio.com.
Carte, Richard
Sketch of the Successive Improvements in the Flute.
London: Rudall, Rose, & Co., 1851. 46 p.
Web reprint, with observations by Terry McGee:
http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/CarteSketch.htm
"With a statement of the principles upon which flutes are
constructed; and a comparison between the relative merits of the ordinary
flute; the flute of Boehm; and Carte's two new patent flutes."
Leonardo DeLorenzo
"My Complete Story of the Flute"; The Citadel Press, Inc.,
original Copyright 1951
Maclagan, Susan"A Dictionary for the Modern Flutist presents
clear and concise definitions of more than 1500 common flute-related terms that
a player of the Boehm system flute could encounter. Fully illustrated with
more than 100 images, the entries contain descriptions of words related to all
aspects of the flute: flute types, parts, repair, history, and music
books; playing techniques; acoustics; articulations; intonation; common
ornaments; flutemaking and more."
1. The summary above, taken from the back of the book, does not reveal
the full value of the book. It is in no way limited to the Boehm system,
but contains rich entries on and images of all modern and historic systems of
flutes, their parts and mechanisms. It even has an entry for me!
Powell, Ardal
The Flute. 2002, Yale University Press, New Haven and London,
As much about the music and times as the instrument itself. Fairly
heavy presentation, but less influenced by Rockstro than most other modern
presentations.
Rockstro, Richard Shepherd
"A Treatise on the Construction, the History and the Practice
of the Flute", Copyrights 1890, 1928, 1967; 1967 edition printed
by Musica Rara
1. An invaluable source tragically spoiled by the author's
obsessive antagonism towards some of the important makers and
writers of the period he covers, notably Boehm, Siccama, Clinton
and Welch, but conceivably others. Also unreliable on the
issue of pitch, again due to allowing personal prejudice to alter
fact.
Toff, Nancy
The Development of the Modern Flute
A broad history of the flute, convenient as it shows better
images than Bate and includes schematics of the keying systems.
Includes a lot of minor errors, but these are not enough to diminish
its value, particularly as an introduction to the general topic.
Waterhouse, William
The New Langwill Index.
London: Tony Bingham 1993. xxxvii + 518 pp. 7" x 10"; glossary, list of collections, bibliography, index. ISBN: 0-946113-04-01.
A Dictionary of Musical Wind-Instrument Makers and Inventors. It
lists European and American makers c.17th–20th C. Makers' marks,
workplaces, biography, types of instruments made, patents, methods
and principles.
Welch, Christopher
"History of the Boehm Flute; with Illustrations Exemplifying its
Origin by Progressive Stages and An Appendix Containing the
Attack Originally Made on Boehm, and Other Pages Relating to
the Boehm-Gordon Controversy" by ; Rudall, Carte & Co.,
London; Copyright 1883
Acoustics
Scientific American
The Physics of Woodwinds.
(October 1960)
Backus, John
"The Acoustical Foundations of Music: Musical Sound; its
Properties,
Production, Behavior, and Reproduction" Copyrights 1969, 1977.
Second
Edition W.W. Norton & Company, Inc; ISBN 0-393-09096-5
Benade, Arthur A.
Fundamentals of Musical Acoustics.
New York: Oxford University Press, 1976. 608 pp. 6-1/8" x 8-1/4". ISBN: 0-486-26484-X.
Benade, Arthur A.
Horns, Strings & Harmony.
New York: Anchor Doubleday & Co. Inc., 1960. 271 pp. 5-3/8" x 8-1/2"; index. ISBN: 0-486-27331-8.
1.
Acoustics made delightfully readable. Theory of wave motion and
the phenomenon of harmony. Benade explains the operating mechanism
at work in three major groups of instruments: woodwinds, brasses and
strings. Calculations and practical illustrations in Chapter X,
"Homemade Wind Instruments."
Benade, Arthur A.
A 1977 collection of course notes from Benade's class "Acoustical
evolution of wind instruments"
http://ccrma.stanford.edu/marl/Benade/documents/Benade-Physics323-1977.pdf
Fletcher, Neville & Rossing, Tom
The Physics of Musical Instruments.
New York: Springer, 1998. 2nd ed., 756p., 485 illus.
1.
The leading book on musical acoustics; assumes university level maths. Neville Fletcher is a
flute player, nonetheless only a few pages are devoted to the instrument.
Forster, Cris
Flute Tone Holes:
http://www.chrysalis-foundation.org/flute_tone_holes.htm
1. Hard to characterise at first sight, seems to rely heavily on
Nederveen, but may be a convenient summary.
2. The author makes very heavy work of the simple mathematics so
that it comes out much more complicated than necessary and would
tend to put the reader off. He uses far too many symbols and far
too many numerical values. Most of what is written seems OK, but I
noticed some misunderstandings and errors in relation to acoustic
impedance.
3. There might be an argument for making Nederveen (or another
treatment) more accessible, but this is not very accessible
and is a bit misleading.
Nederveen, C.J.
"Acoustical Aspects of Woodwind Instruments" by ;
Northern Illinois University Press, Copyright 1998; ISBN
0-87580-577-9
Boehm, Theobald
The Flute and Flute Playing in Acoustical,
Technical, and Artistic Aspects.
New York: Dover Publications, 1964. xxix + 197 pp. 5-3/8" x 8"; index. ISBN: 0-486-21259-9.
A translation from the German, Die Flöte und das Flötenspiel,
first published in 1871. This classic work explains the development
of the revolutionary concert flute as first patented in 1847. As
writer and inventor, Mr. Boehm explains his process and application.
Acoustics, calculations, construction, the key mechanism,
fingering charts, maintenance, illustrations. The bass flute in G.
Playing technique, musical interpretation, biographical notes.
Boehm, Theobald. Ed. by W.S. Broadwood.
Title: An essay on the construction of flutes giving a history &
description of the most recent improvements with an explanation
of the principles of acoustics applicable to the manufacture of
wind instruments.
Bookseller: AstroLogos Books
Bookseller Book ID: 74421A598624376
Price: US$ 36.00
Book Description: BRAND NEW SOFTCOVER - Print-to-order B&W
REPRINT of original book published: London Rudall Carte & Co.
1882. 84 Pages Reprinted from microfilm of original text on
acid-free archival quality paper - SOFTCOVER Charts photographs
& graphics may reproduce less than perfectly & may be reduced to
fit pages. SPECIAL ORDER Allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery. No
Refund or Exchange unless not as described.
Total Book Price: US$ 36.00
Shipping Quoted*: US$ 6.00
Total Order Amount: US$ 42.00
Cooper, Albert
The Flute.
London: ?, 1984. Revised ed., 42p., illustrations.
The man who transformed the modern orchestral flute in his own words.
Essential but, unfortunately, distinctly rare. This is the second edition
(yellow cover) with additional material compared to the first edition
(blue cover).
Hopkin, Bart
Air Columns and Tone Holes | Principles for Wind Instrument Design.
Nicasio, California: Experimental Musical Instruments, 1999. Revised ed., 42p., illustrations.
A well written and eminently readable look at both the acoustics and the practicalities of construction of all winds. Comprehensive and eclectic.
Hopkin, Bart
Musical Instrument Design | Practical Information for Instrument Making.
Tucson, Arizona: See Sharp Press, 1996. 181 p., illustrations, bibliography, index. ISBN: 1-884365-08-6
Hopkin covers both the simple generalities of acoustics and the specifics of idiophones, aerophones, membranophones, and
chordophones (the main divisions of musical instruments). Well written and easily understood.
Joof, Laura Beha
Recorder Voicing and Tuning, and Use of the Tuning Machine.
The American Recorder (November 1985): 155–159.
How to tune and voice an instrument now that you've made it (applies to
flutes, too). Very straightforward.
Metalwork & Machining
Holtzapffel, Charles & John Jacob
Turning and Mechanical Manipulation.
vol. 1 Material, Their Choice, Preparation and Various Modes of Working Them. 480 p., 300 illus.
vol. 2 Construction, Action and Application of Cutting Tools. 595 p., 700 illus.
vol. 3 Abrasive and Other Processes Not Accomplished With Cutting Tools. 816 p., 430 illus.
vol. 4 Hand or Simple Turning. 592 p., 793 illus.
vol. 5 The Principles & Practice of Ornamental or Complex Turning/ 656 p., illus.
London: 1843-84 [Reprinted variously].
Presently all available (with excellent descriptions for each volume) from
Astragal Press.
This is an essential reference work for anyone interested in historical
manufacturing processes. However, it has also become a standard reference
for model engineers and anyone else who wants to make precision items with
minimum cash outlay. The books detail manufacturing processes that are
not as quick and efficient as modern methods, but can produce excellent
results. The methods often require manual dexterity rather than precision
equipment, as many of the methods use hand tools. Although many of these
hand tools are not available nowadays an approximation can usually be made
from the excellent illustrations in the books. These books were written
at a time of great change in manufacturing methods, and Holtzapffel lists
processes that disappeared shortly after. If you consult a text from
forty or fifty years later then the manufacturing practice is the same as
modern machining practice except for details (such as computer control).
Barclay, Robert L.
"The Art of the Trumpet-Maker: The Materials, Tools, and
Techniques of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries in
Nuremberg" (Oxford Early Music Series), published May 1996.
ISBN: 0198166052 1. It describes techniques that might have
translated over to silver flute making in the early days, and
once more could easily still do so. For instance, Boehm may have
employed the same techniques of the 17th and 18 century trumpet
maker in making silver flute tubes (both cylindrical and conical
sections). Then again, he may not have, but still the methods
shown in this book could easily be made use of in fabricating
cylindrical and conical sections of tube for flutes. For lack
of other extensive books covering the fabrication techniques of
silver flute makers in making metal tubes (conical or
otherwise), it seems to be a good resource.
Repair
"A Guide to Repairing
Woodwinds" by Ronald Saska, 2nd Edition. Copyrights 1984,
1987, and 1997 by Ronald Saska. ISBN: 0-939103-03-6
1. My initial input based on
just flipping through it, is that it illustrates the keywork
and describes the terminology, as well as showing how all the
moving parts are assembled/disassembled. It describes and
illustrates working with tenon joints, how to repair dents,
resolder joints in precious metal solder joints, use of
reamers and mandrels, and many other things. I would consider
this to be an essential book for anyone that wants to learn
about the repair aspect of flute-making.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory.
Wood Handbook--Wood as an Engineering Material.
Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory., 1999. 463 p.
1.
An amazing reference, with structural specifications for North American woods.
Available online at: http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr113/fplgtr113.htm
Holtzapffel, Charles & John Jacob
Turning and Mechanical Manipulation.
See Metalwork.
Raffan, Richard
Turning Wood with Richard Raffan.
Newtown, Connecticut: Taunton Books, 2001. Revised ed., 208 p., photos, illustrations.
1.
One of the best tutorials for the wood lathe. Well laid out and comprehensive, written by a master.
Specialty Tools & Toolmaking
Kottick, Edward L.
Tone and Intonation on the Recorder.
New York: McGinnis & Marx, 1974. 28p., photos, illustrations.
1.
An excellent, well illustrated, comprehensive tutorial.
Beaudin, Jean-François
Technical drawings of baroque and some 19th century flutes,
and recorders
See
sample plan at DCM (Click on thumbnail of images to expand)
J.F.Beaudin, 75 Principale, Frelighsburg, P,Québec,
Canada, J0J1C0.
Email: jfbeaudin@hotmail.com Phone: 450-298-5161
Levenson, Monty How
to Make Your Own Flute - Craft Manuals, Books & DVD Videos
Flute Making & Instrument Building - Craft, Theory & Design
Shakuhachi Flute
Native North America Flutes
Bamboo & Bamboo Craft
Books on Flutes and Traditional Music
How to Make
your own flute
McGee, Terry
Wooden Flute Plans.
Malua Bay, Australia: McGee Flutes, 2004. 9 p.
1.
A comprehensive 9-page package including all the information
needed to replicate a Boosey Pratten's Perfected 8-key flute, including
all dimensions, multiple images and a tuning chart for the original.
For sale by the author: http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/Plans.htm
Robinson, Trevor
The Amateur Wind Instrument Maker.
University of Massachusetts Press: Boston, 1980. Revised ed., 116p., extensive illus., bibliography.
1.
One of the venerable books on the subject, this one tends to elicit strong emotions among makers. Robinson's plans are
notoriously sloppy, but cover most period instruments. Where else can you find plans for a racket?
Shephard, Mark Simple
Flutes : A Guide to Flute Making and Playing
Shepard Publications, 2002
How to make simple flutes from readily available materials.
An excerpt, The Plumbers Pipe, provides enough information to
make your first flute at
http://www.markshep.com/flute/Pipe.html
Recommended Suppliers
ProSono
locates, selects and processes exotic woods of the best
quality for the artisans makers of musical instrument.
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