Subcontrabass flute

The subcontrabass flutes are members of the Western concert flute family. Built in two sizes, the instrument in G or F, also known as the double contra-alto flute, has 4.6 to 4.9 metres (15 to 16 ft) of tubing, while the larger instrument in C, also known as the double contrabass flute or octobass flute, has tubing 5.5 metres (18 ft) long, and is the second largest instrument of the family after the hyperbass flute.^[2]

Subcontrabass flute

Maria Ramey playing an Eva Kingma subcontrabass flute in G Maria Ramey playing a double contrabass flute
Woodwind instrument
Classification	Transverse flute
Hornbostel–Sachs classification	421.121.12-71 (Side-blown Aerophone with tone holes and keys)
Playing range
The G subcontrabass flute, notated in treble clef, sounds two octaves and a fourth below written; the tessitura is G1–G3. The C double contrabass flute, notated in treble clef, sounds three octaves below written; the tessitura is C1–C3.
Related instruments
Flutes: Piccolo Treble Soprano C flute Flûte d'amour Alto Bass Contra-alto Contrabass Subcontrabass Hyperbass
Musicians
Peter Sheridan Matthias Ziegler
Builders
Eva Kingma Kotato and Fukushima[1]

The subcontrabass flute in G is pitched a fourth below the contrabass flute in C, and two octaves below the alto flute; it is sometimes built a whole tone lower in F. The subcontrabass flute in C is a full octave below the contrabass flute, hence its "double contrabass" name.^[3][4] Its lowest note is C₁, the lowest C on the piano.

The subcontrabass flutes are rarely used outside of flute choirs. Their projection is limited without amplification, especially in larger ensembles.^[4]

At present, they are only available as a custom order from specialty makers Eva Kingma or Kotato and Fukushima.^[1] Higher quality instruments are made of silver- or chrome-plated metal, usually brass.^[5] Dutch maker Jelle Hogenhuis built subcontrabass flutes in metal, and offered a version built using polypropylene plastic tubing, which was cheaper and half the weight.^[6]

Compositions

• "And the Giant Began to Dance..." (2009) from the album Below: Music for Low Flutes by Peter Sheridan^[7]