Flute Keys

This page lists the various keys of Native American Flutes (NAFs). The key of the flute is lowest note that the flute plays ... often called the "fundamental" of the flute.

Note that I have assigned ranges to these keys, but these assignments are completely my invention. If you have any comments on my choices, please email me at clint@goss.com.

The ranges are:

  • Sopranino - Ultra High The extreme upper end of the range for playable NAFs. These flutes are typically used for special effects and ornaments on songs, rather than creating melodies.
    Very few flute makers craft flutes in this range.
  • Soprano - Very High The upper end of the range for practical melodic NAFs. These flutes are typically used for special effects, counterpoint to a lower flute, or for use over drums.
    Few flute makers craft flutes in this range.
  • Alto - High A range of flutes that is quite high, but playable flutes can be made. Small fifes have historically been made in this range. NAFs in this range often sound good when paired with a flute an octave lower in duets.
  • Tenor - Medium The range for the majority of NAFs that are constructed. This range strikes a balance between a good sound for the NAF, and the ability to reach the finger holes for most players. The center of this range, the keys of F# and G, are the most common keys for NAFs. These keys are a good choice for most first-time players of the NAF. For adult players with a smaller hand reach, a NAF in the key of A might be a better choice.
  • Baritone - Low A range that usually produces a soothing, mellow sound from the NAF. Often used in mellow or meditation style songs. Since NAFs do not have keys or mechanisims to extend the reach of the fingers, these flutes tend to be difficult to play for people with a small finger reach. NAFs at the low end of the baritone range often are "side-blown" so that the arms can reach the finger holes.
  • Bass - Very Low The extreme lower end of the range for playable NAFs. Flutes in this range are sometimes produced as a curiosity rather than a serious attempt at producing a quality sound. One exception is the Slovakian Fujara ... an instrument of excellent sound quality that is a cousin in design to the NAF.
    Few flute makers craft flutes in this range.
  • Contrabass - Ultra Low Below the range for playable NAFs (although this might change in the future).

Keys of Native American Flutes
Range Key
Fundamental		 Sound Samples Piano Note** Notes
Sopranino
Ultra High		 E Allan Williams1
Silver Micro E
MP3 WMA 		E7  
Eb (=D#)   Eb7  
D   D7  
C# (=Db)   C#7  
C   C7  
Soprano
Very High		 B   B6  
Bb (=A#)   Bb6  
A   A6 1760 Hertz
G# (=Ab)   G#6  
G   G6  
F# (=Gb)   F#6  
F   F6  
E   E6 E Bamboo micro-flute - needs to be recorded
Eb (=D#)   Eb6  
D   D6  
C# (=Db)   C#6  
C   C6 C Bamboo micro-flute - needs to be recorded
Alto
High		 B   B5  
Bb (=A#)   Bb5  
A Tony Richards / Spirit Winds
Alto A
MP3 WMA 		A5 880 Hertz
G# (=Ab)   G#5  
G   G5  
F# (=Gb)   F#5  
F Michael Graham Allen / Coyote Oldman
Alto F
MP3 WMA 		F5  
E Anthony Natividad
Alto E
MP3 WMA 		E5  
Eb (=D#)   Eb5  
D Leonard McGann / Lone Crow
Alto D
MP3 WMA 		D5  
C# (=Db)   C#5  
C   C5  
Tenor
Medium		 B   B4  
Bb (=A#) Clint Goss / Roura NAF
Tenor Bb
MP3 WMA 		Bb4  
A Leonard McGann / Lone Crow
Tenor A
MP3 WMA 		A4 440 Hertz
G# (=Ab)   G#4  
G Larry Speiler / Chris ti Coom
Tenor G
MP3 WMA 		G4  
F# (=Gb) Colyn Petersen / Woodland Voices
Tenor F#
MP3 WMA 		F#4  
F Clint Goss
Tenor F
MP3 WMA 		F4  
E Barry Higgins / White Crow
Tenor E
MP3 WMA 		E4  
Eb (=D#)   Eb4  
D   D4  
C# (=Db)   C#4  
C Alf Jetzer
Tenor C Forest Flute
MP3 WMA 		C4 Middle C on a piano
Baritone
Low		 B Kai Mayberger / White Raven
Baritone B
MP3 WMA 		B3  
Bb (=A#) Zacciah Blackburn / Sunreed
Baritone Bb
MP3 WMA 		Bb3 Lowest note on a concert (silver) flute and an ob and an oboeoe.
A Barry Higgins / White Crow
Baritone A
MP3 WMA 		A3 220 Hertz
G# (=Ab)   G#3  
G Bill Hughes
Baritone G
MP3 WMA 		G3 Lowest note on a violin.
F# (=Gb)   F#3  
F   F3  
E Bill Hughes
Baritone E
MP3 WMA 		E3  
Eb (=D#)   Eb3  
D   D3  
C# (=Db)   C#3  
C   C3  
Bass
Very Low		 B Barry Higgins1 / White Crow
Bass B
MP3 WMA 		B2  
Bb (=A#)   Bb2  
A   A2 110 Hertz
G# (=Ab)   G#2  
G Pavol Smutney
Fujara in G
MP3 WMA 		G2  
F# (=Gb)   F#2  
F   F2  
E   E2  
Eb (=D#)   Eb2  
D   D2  
C# (=Db)   C#2  
C   C2 Lowest note on a cello.
Contrabass
Ultra Low		 B   B1  
Bb (=A#)   Bb1  
A   A1 55 Hertz
G# (=Ab)   G#1  
G   G1  
F# (=Gb)   F#1  
F   F1  
E   E1  
Eb (=D#)   Eb1  
D   D1  
C# (=Db)   C#1  
C   C1  
Sub-Bass
 B   B0  
Bb (=A#)   Bb0 Lowest typical note on a contrabassoon.
A   A0 27.5 Hertz. Lowest note on a piano.
G# (=Ab)   G#0  
G   G0  
F# (=Gb)   F#0  
F   F0  
E   E0  
Eb (=D#)   Eb0  
D   D0  
C# (=Db)   C#0  
C   C0  

1Thanks to Alan Williams for recording this sound sample.
2Thanks to Barry Higgins for recording this sound sample.

**The pitch and octave for the note, based on International Pitch Notation conventions. See these excellent pages at for pitch range information:

Web site by Clint Goss - Last updated June 28, 2008.