subcontrabass 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 double contra-alto flute · subcontra-alto flute · octocontralto flute · subcontralto flute
subcontrabass flute
Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France · Henri Tournier à la flûte octobasse en concert (musée Guimet, Paris) · CC BY 2.0
- Name
- Subcontrabass flute
- Field
- Western concert flute.
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
VALÉORINE documentary reading
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.
Admitted source layer · organised and presented by VALÉORINE
Reference Check
Propose documentary evidence for subcontrabass flute. A contribution is never written directly as fact: identity, source, rights and evidence gates still decide.
Sign in to contribute
World of VALÉORINE
Documentary connections
Only confirmed graph relationships appear here. Images are shown only when their identity and reuse rights both pass the documentary gate.
Documentary evidence
Documentary basis
Authority files
wikidata · Q3746429 · wikipedia · Subcontrabass flute
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).
American flutist Maria Ramey playing a en:subcontrabass flute in G, made by Eva Kingma. Photo taken at a flute convention. Contents 1 Permission 1.1 Email requesting permission 1.2 Email granting permission 2 Licensing 3 Original upload log Permission Email requesting permission
Maria Ramey · Maria Ramey's website
Bass Flute in G
Netpilots
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
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
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.
Elsewhere in Collectables
20,755 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- sub-great bass recorderTerminology
- Sub-TerraniaWork
- SubaruOrganisation
- Subaru CorporationOrganisation
- subcontrabass saxophoneTerminology
- subcontrabass tubaTerminology
- SubharchordTerminology
- Subject 13Work
Best supported in this field
For owners
Own an object connected with subcontrabass flute?
A specialist will read what you send and tell you what the house can establish, what it cannot, and whether the object is suited to sale. There is no charge and no obligation. The object stays with you throughout; nothing is shipped to us unless it is arranged in writing beforehand.