Page:The story of the flute (IA storyofflute1914fitz).djvu/111



The true bass flute—Early examples—Alto flutes—Modern examples—The flute d'amour—Recent revival.

Bass and alto flutes are mentioned by Agricola in 1528. Mersenne (1637) describes a cylinder bass flute an octave below the concert flute. This is a true bass flute, a term which is generally applied to flutes which are really alto or tenor instruments. The Museum of the Paris Conservatoire contains a true bass boxwood flute (presented by Dorus), which is known as the "Fivefoot Flute," though it really measures a little over four English feet. It has three brass keys, is inscribed with the maker's name, "J. Beuker, Amsterdam," and has open keys for two holes (A and E) which could not be reached easily by the fingers. The only other key is for D♯. It dates from early in the eighteenth century. Malcolm Macgregor, a musical instrument maker in Carey Street. London, patented in 1810 a true bass flute. He doubled back the head-joint in order that the fingers might reach the lower holes (a device which is mentioned by Mersenne and also in Borde's Essay, 1780). The