Flute Family
The piccolo is the smallest in the family of flutes. It is 33 cm and about half the size of a concert flute. The piccolo only has two parts to it - the head and the body joint. Its pitch is about one octave higher than other flutes. This instrument is usually made of wood but it can also be made of silver and even plastic too.
The alto flute is about 86 cm long. This instrument is played in the key of G. The alto flute is larger than the regular flute which makes it have a lower sound. It also has a quieter and more mellow sound. You can either buy an alto flute with a straight head joint or a cured one.
The bass flute is so big that it is made with a curved head joint because if it wasn't it would be very hard for people to hold onto it. This instrument produces a sound that is one octave lower than a regular flute.
The contra-alto flute is also in the key of G. It is played one octave lower than that of the alto flute.
The contrabass flute is two octaves lower than the regular flute. This flute is very big and is about nine feet tall!
The sub-contrabass flute is the biggest flute in the family. This instrument plays in the key of G and is two octaves lower than the alto flute.
For more information go to: http://www.hogenhuis-flutes.com/