alto flute

American  

noun

1. a large flute pitched a perfect fourth lower than an ordinary flute.

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Etymology

Origin of alto flute

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

It gets a lot of its witchy allure from Bud Shank’s alto flute solo, which he reportedly improvised in one take.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2023

An aggressive alto flute solo that opens the work won’t leave the listener alone, as though every time Varèse turns a corner, there is this inescapable thing.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2018

“And I’m glad he didn’t because it pushed me to find an instrument that would be sort of perfect. And I went through a few and found the alto flute as the prime voice.”

From New York Times • Dec. 16, 2013

With Mary Stolper and Frank playing a version of "Suenos" for soprano flute, alto flute and piano, the earthy sounds of Peruvian folk instruments were transformed into wistful melodies, jazzily jaunty rhythms and pungent harmonies.

From Chicago Tribune • Jan. 19, 2011

Mr. Henry Carte has, however, designed an alto flute in A, descending to violin G, with excellent results.

From Scientific American Supplement No. 819, September 12, 1891 by Various