Transverse Flute

a.k.a. French Flute

A tutor who tootled a flute Tried to teach two young tooters to toot.     Said the two to the tutor,     "Is it tougher to toot or To tutor two tooters to toot?"

Usually, we simply refer to this instrument as a flute. However, since there are similar
instruments with designations containing the word flute,¹ we are calling this a transverse
flute, indicating that it's played while holding it horizontally rather than vertically.²

On the left is the beginner flute I owned first.
On the right is the intermediate model that followed.

The most obvious difference between the two is that the beginner flute is closed hole and the intermediate is open hole.³
The closed hole is easier to finger accurately, while the open hole allows effects such as microtones, pitch bending, etc.⁴

Other variations in models include inline keys, rather than the two offset keys as
seen here, and a longer footjoint, enabling someone to play down another half step.

¹See other displays in this museum about, e.g., American Indian flute & panflute.

²But do not be surprised to see someone playing a flute that isn't perfectly level!

³To me, "closed hole" sounds like an oxymoron, and "open hole" is a tautology.

⁴Feel free to do your own research on some of these techniques in jazz playing.

~ FURTHER READING ~

Here are a couple of simple instruments that are examples of "vertical flutes."

In years gone by, some schoolchildren learned a few fundamentals of music by playing
tonettes, flutophones, or similar instruments. The one in our museum is called a song flute.

In more recent years, it is common for the recorder to be used for that purpose. Wooden recorders
have been around since before the renaissance and are considered legitimate instruments rather
than toys. However, music teachers wisely recommend beginners use the plastic versions.

Now, as far as I know, it is not common for an elementary music teacher to require students to buy one of these. This noseflute
is designed to be placed tightly over the nostrils and open mouth. The player's air is expelled only through the nose, while the
shape of the mouth controls the pitch. Although I'm just a beginner at this, I do have one tip for anyone wishing to give it a try:

Blow your nose first!