double contrabass flute
The subcontrabass flutes are members of the Western concert flute family. Built in two sizes, the instrument in G or F, also known as the double contra-alto flute, has 15 to of tubing, while the larger instrument in C, also known as the double contrabass flute or octobass flute, has tubing 18 ft long, and is the second largest instrument of the family after the hyperbass flute. The subcontrabass flute in G is pitched a fourth below the contrabass flute in C, and two octaves below the alto flute; it is sometimes built a whole tone lower in F. The subcontrabass flute in C is a full octave below the contrabass flute, hence its "double contrabass" name.
Also recorded as octocontrabass flute
double contrabass flute
Maria Ramey · Maria Ramey's website · CC BY 3.0
- Name
- Subcontrabass flute
- Field
- Western concert flute
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Documentary summary
The subcontrabass flutes are members of the Western concert flute family. Built in two sizes, the instrument in G or F, also known as the double contra-alto flute, has 15 to of tubing, while the larger instrument in C, also known as the double contrabass flute or octobass flute, has tubing 18 ft long, and is the second largest instrument of the family after the hyperbass flute. The subcontrabass flute in G is pitched a fourth below the contrabass flute in C, and two octaves below the alto flute; it is sometimes built a whole tone lower in F. The subcontrabass flute in C is a full octave below the contrabass flute, hence its "double contrabass" name.
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In this article
Overview
Overview
Its lowest note is C, the lowest C on the piano. The subcontrabass flutes are mainly used as the lower voices in large flute choirs, although they are occasionally also used in film scores. Their projection is limited without amplification, especially in larger ensembles. At present, they are only available as a custom order from specialty makers Eva Kingma (based in the Netherlands) or Kotato & Fukushima (based in Japan). Higher quality instruments are made of silver- or chrome-plated metal, usually brass. Dutch maker Jelle Hogenhuis built subcontrabass flutes in metal, and offered a version built using polypropylene plastic tubing, which was cheaper and half the weight. Eva Kingma sells her double contrabass flutes for US$41,367, and Kotato & Fukushima sell their double contrabass flutes for US$48,500. Kingma introduced her newly developed double contrabass flute at the National Flute Association's 2023 convention in Phoenix, Arizona (August 3-6, 2023); this instrument weighs 10.5 kg (23 lbs.) in total (including its tripod stand).
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Subcontrabass flute • Background — woodwind • Classification — Transverse flute • Hornbostel Sachs — 421.121.12-71 • Hornbostel Sachs Desc — Side-blown Aerophone with tone holes and keys • Related — Flutes: • Piccolo • Treble • Soprano • C flute • Flûte d'amour • Alto • Bass • Contra-alto • Contrabass • Subcontrabass • Hyperbass • Builders — * Eva Kingma • Kotato and Fukushima • Musicians — * Peter Sheridan • Matthias Ziegler • Illustration — A subcontrabass flute in G.
Compositions
• "And the Giant Began to Dance..." (2009) from the album Below: Music for Low Flutes by Peter Sheridan
Primary material
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reference work
- “Double contrabass flute”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q5299990: double contrabass flute
General reference · Wikidata
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Pinksterboer, Hugo. Tipbook Flute and Piccolo: The Complete Guide. Hal Leonard. 143. 2009. 978-1-42346-525-6.
- 2.Miller, R. J. Contemporary Orchestration: A Practical Guide to Instruments, Ensembles, and Musicians. Taylor & Francis. 174. 2015. 978-1-317-8062-57.
- 3.Maclagan, Susan J. A Dictionary for the Modern Flutist. Rowman & Littlefield. 270. 2019. 978-1-5381-0666-2.
- 4.Kotato & Fukushima Flutes. Subcontrabass Flute.
- 5.Toff, Nancy. The Flute Book: A Complete Guide for Students and Performers. Oxford University Press. 74–75. 2012. 978-0-19-537307-3.
- 6.Subcontrabass flute. Hogenhuis Flutes.
- 7.Eva Kingma Handmade Double Contrabass Flute. Just Flutes, London. www.justflutes.com.
- 8.Buy Kotato Double Contrabass Flute in C Online at $48500 - Flute World. www.fluteworld.com.
- 9.Double Contrabass flute – Eva Kingma Flutemaker.
- 10.Stevens, Cynthia. Below: Music for Low Flutes. The Flutist Quarterly. 36. 4. 81. Summer 2011.
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 16 August 2026.
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