English flageolet. Nominal pitch: D (six-finger tonic).
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Alternative TitlePatent Chromatic Flute. |
InstrumentFlageolet |
Instrument FamilyWind |
MakerBainbridge & Wood |
Place MadeUnited Kingdom ; Europe ; London ; England |
Date Made1808-1820 |
DescriptionTechnical description: Boxwood; [4 sections]; brass keys (long chromatic key and `Quantz' keys for low D♯/E♭); ivory ferrules and upper edge of window; 6 finger-holes, no thumb-hole. Keymount type: ring/knob. Keyhead type: half moon foot keys; flat rectangular for chromatic key. Stamped on head section "BAINBRIDGE / & WOOD / 35 HOLBORN HILL / LONDON" with Royal arms and "PATENT / CHROMATIC / FLUTE"; also marked "PATENT" on each section, with arms again on middle section. Despite the inscription the instrument was never patented. Performance characteristics: Based on scale of D (six-finger tonic); plays an octave below the standard model (lowest six-finger note sounds D⁴); the `Quantz' key on the left plays D♯ (although it is not easy to use this key alone), that on the right depresses both keys together to give E♭; the chromatic key raises the pitch of each fingered note by a semitone when depressed. Usable pitch: A⁴ = c 435 Hz (c 20 cents below A⁴ = 440 Hz); pitch not reliable due to lack of wind-cap and mouthpiece. |
Other Information1st edn had 'General usage of type: `Albion' is a reference to `English' flute, meaning a type of flageolet, here an octave below the standard model'. Removed by E.S. because there's no reference to Albion in the inscription of this instrument. |
NotesEdgar Hunt, 1985; E. Smith, 2010. |
Measurements575 (without wind-cap and mouthpiece). |
ProvenanceLent by Glasgow Museums and Art Galleries, '42-68a.w. |
CollectionGlen Collection ; MIMEd |
Accession Number1734 |