If some types of flutes (contrabass or subcontrabass) can go lower than the human ears can hear, how do you play them?

lanfranco

I'm no expert on either of these instruments, but this site on the contrabass flute (with a link to one on the subcontrabass) does not indicate that it can be played "lower than the human ears can hear." It does say that "greater force of breath" is required than for other wind instruments, and that composers need to consider this. That's daunting. I had enough trouble summoning up enough breath for a clarinet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contrabass_flute May 20 06, 4:41 PM

flutebassoon

Maybe it was a different instrument then I was thinking of. May 22 06, 12:05 PM

Baloo55th

Usually, only organs or possibly things like the Ondes Martenot or synthesiser can get that low. Bottom note on all wind instruments is fixed - no matter what you do you can't get lower than it was built to produce. Top note is a matter of skill, and taste. You can get incredibly high on some instruments, but the result isn't generally what people want to listen to (excepted being so-called Free Jazz and some so-called avant-garde compositions). Organs can get down to frequencies so low that you can only feel them rather than hear them - they induce feelings of worry and unease. May 22 06, 3:29 PM

gmackematix

Especially when they resonate with the human bowel... May 22 06, 5:26 PM