The Western concert flute family includes the contrabass flute in C. It is played blowing air across the embouchure hole and is two octaves lower than a standard Western concert flute. Only in flute ensembles and as a solo instrument with orchestral backing is this instrument used.
The contrabass flute, like the recorder, whistle, and pan flute, belongs to the flute family. The instrument is called a transverse flute because it is played blowing across the opening. Transverse flutes include all types of Western concert flutes.
Every contrabass flute is two octaves lower in pitch than a standard Western concert flute and one octave lower in pitch than a bass flute. C2, two octaves below middle C, is the lowest note. Most flautists can play up to three octaves higher, with expert flautists being able to play even higher.
The contrabass flute is frequently confused with other large flutes such as the contrabass in G, the subcontrabass, and the double contrabass. Because they are pitched one and two octaves below the alto flute, the contrabass in G and the subcontrabass are more properly known as the contra-alto and double contra-alto flutes. The double contrabass flute is the largest commercially made flute, playing an octave below the contrabass flute and three below the standard Western concert flute.
Although it is classified as a woodwind instrument, unlike the clarinet and fife, it is not made of wood. Contrabass flutes, on the other hand, are made of metal, usually brass or silver alloys, or PVC pipe with metal keys. While the body and foot joint are held vertically, the headpiece is bent in a triangular shape to allow the player’s mouth to reach the embouchure hole. The player does not have to carry the weight of the large instrument because of an adjustable support attached to the foot joint.
Contrabass flutes are a rare instrument that is mostly used in flute ensembles. Some concertos, like Bruce Lawrence’s “Lyric Concerto” and Benjamin Yusapov’s “Nola,” feature the contrabass flute as a soloist with orchestral or string accompaniment. The larger size, complexity, and rarity of this instrument all contribute to its higher price. New metal contrabass flutes cost around $10,000 USD, whereas PVC versions cost around $5,000 USD.