Flute/flaut

Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share (MPSIMS)
#1

Greetings!

I’ve a question that maybe one of you can answer. I’ve already sent this in to the great and powerful Cecil, but I got back an e-mail saying he gets SO many questions each week that I could get the answer I need here much sooner…

It came to me while my hubby and I were watching the Cleveland Orchestra give yet another free, kick-ass concert in Public Square. The crowd went nutso for a flute duet during the final number, and that got me wondering why those who play the flute are sometimes called - and I’m sure I’m spelling this wrong - a “flautist.” Sounds more like a term for too much gas in the lower GIs. Why isn’t the instrument called a “flaut” if the person playing it is a “flautist,” or a “flutist” if they’re playing a “flute.” What’s the deal here?

Patty

#2

This probably won’t help explain the whole “flautist” thing, but when I played the flute, my instructor refered to me as a “flutist.” Maybe “flautists” actually have to have some inkling of talent…? :smiley:

#3

Another flutist checking in here.

I have been informed that the term ‘flautist’ refers to a specific old-fashioned sort of flute-playing. I don’t know how true this is, but the term is pretty old-fashioned itself. I, as well as many other flute players I know, generally say ‘flutist.’

#4

I’m also a fellow flutist (flautist, whatever.) “Flaut” comes from European languages: Italian flauto, originally from Old French, flaute. Since Italian is used so much in music notation, I guess some flute players chose to use the Italian name of their instrument. I can’t think of any other instrumentalists that do this.

#5

So is the flauta I ate Thursday night at my favorite Mexican restaurant so named because it is rolled up in sort of a flute shape?

#6

from dictionary.com:

flau·ta (floutä)
n.

A tortilla rolled around a filling such as beef, chicken, or cheese into a flutelike shape and sometimes deep-fried.

#7

and regarding the OP:

http://www.patnet.caltech.edu/~shimpei/flutist.html

and at the national flute association website, i see the word flutist appear, but not flautist.

http://www.nfaonline.org

#8

Perhaps “flautist” is archaic and used in formal contexts, like “pianoforte” and “violoncello”.

#9

I call myself a “flute player” just to avoid this sort of crap.

#10

Beverly Sills made a big point about this in an interview with Charlie Rose, correcting him twice, but then refused to provide the distinction.

#11

Matt is completely correct. People tend to use flautist when they are being snooty. My ex played the flute (and the tuba) and referred to himself as a flautist.

HUGS!
Sqrl

#12

Doesn’t it depend on what kind of flute he played? One made of metal or…

#13

Thank you all for responding! I wondered whether “flute”-vs. -“flaut” was meerly a matter of word choice (like “bag” vs. “sack” vs. “poke”) or if it was more significant than that. Thanks again!

Patty

#14

Padeye, nope. The other flutists I knew in college called themselves flautists among eachother and flutists to all the rest of the laypeople. It was like their own secret society.

HUGS!
Sqrl

#15

Sheesh. Apparently juvenile sexual remarks can’t be too subtle around this place. I was referring to a skin flute (flaut?) Sqrl. :rolleyes: