10. Materials
Until the groundbreaking redesign by the Munich flute maker and flutist Theobald Boehm in 1847 (cylindrical Boehm flute), flutes were primarily made of wood. The first gold flute appeared in 1869, crafted by Louis Lot. Today, flute construction involves various materials such as gold-plated silver, white gold, Nickel (German) silver (an alloy of copper, zinc, and nickel), platinum, palladium, nickel, titanium, carbon, brass, stainless steel, and wood, especially the robust and fungus-resistant African blackwood (grenadilla), as well as coconut and cocobolo. Softer woods like boxwood and ebony are scarcely used today due to their susceptibility to cracking and breakage. Many flutists experiment with headjoints made from different materials than the rest of the instrument.
For beginners, more affordable instruments are available made from aluminum or other cheaper metals. Wooden transverse flutes (using the Boehm system) have regained popularity in recent years and are used in large symphony orchestras for music from approximately before 1800.
In the 1990s, flute makers began crafting instruments from carbon fiber. These offer advantages in durability and maintenance, but among flutists, they are somewhat controversial due to their tonal characteristics deviating from the "normal" flute sound.
Nickel (German) Silver: These models impress with their quick response and remarkable projection for this category.
Silver/Copper Alloys: This material is denser than German silver and harder than sterling silver. One significant advantage over solid silver flutes is their easier response, although the sound is already quite similar to silver-tubed flutes.
Sterling Silver: Sterling silver remains the unrivaled material for musicians: it is highly versatile, producing a brilliant and rich tone. As the wall thickness increases, the sound gains more volume and strength.
Gold-Silver Alloys: The gold-silver alloy (10% gold content) combines the brilliance of silver with the flexible dynamics of gold flutes. It is also highly corrosion-resistant.
9 Karat Gold: This 9K gold flute is an ideal combination, merging the benefits of silver and gold. It offers a wealth of overtones and remains pleasant to play at all times.
14 Karat Gold: The 14K rose gold has a higher density than all the other metals mentioned earlier. Abundant overtones, amazing dynamic range, and nearly infinite tonal versatility—unrivaled qualities in a class of its own.
18 Karat Gold: The 18K gold takes the wonderful tonal qualities of the 14K to the next level. Known for a dark and sumptuous sound, its tonal range is simply captivating.
24 Karat Gold: Often, a trace of titanium is mixed with 24K gold to make it stable enough for flute construction—otherwise, it would be unmanageable. This exceptional sound could be characterized as velvety. Few materials can compete with the 24K gold sound.
Platinum: A pure element with extreme density. Platinum embodies a dark, liquid sound with original purity. It possesses strong and penetrating qualities, the ultimate synonym for power and depth. The material is highly corrosion-resistant and ideal for flutists prone to "sweaty hands."
Grenadilla Wood: Grenadilla wood is the most commonly used wood in woodwind instrument construction. Clarinets, oboes, etc., are primarily made from grenadilla wood for a good reason. It is relatively resistant to moisture and cracking. There are two types of grenadilla wood. Black grenadilla wood produces a rich, overtone-rich tone that sometimes lacks warmth. Red grenadilla wood flutes sound robust and brilliant.
Coconut Wood: Coconut wood is relatively resistant to moisture but tends to form cracks and warp during the drying phase. Flutes made from coconut wood have a beautiful, delicate tone and a noticeably bright sound. The resin-rich wood occasionally causes uncomfortable inflammations for sensitive lips.
