what effect does the size of the holes have on a flute?
Big holes make it louder, basically.
The bigger the hole, the deeper you can bury it.
Regards, H.
The deeper you bury it, the better the tone.
Well, not to interrupt this burial, but that’s not entirely true. There are some very toneful flutes with smaller holes.
The size increase gives a flute volume and a certain deepness that can be ‘dug’ into, literally and sonically.
Are you asking the hole size question because you’re wanting to make a flute or for playing reasons?
If you’re asking about flute making, hole size influences the pitch and placement on the flute.
If you’re asking about playing, everyone else already answered quite well above.
the flute I have with the largest holes sounds different then the flutes with smaller holes.The notes seam to be cut more at the being of the individiual note.I’m not
referring to cutting or tapping but just the playing of a note. If a larger hole size can produce a note which is different just because of the size of the hole,should I be giving hole size more consideration when picking a new flute?
if you ever want to appreciate how large the holes really are in a large-holed flute, look at them inside the bore…the undercutting makes them truly massive.
Large holes are in relation to large bore. The smaller the bore, the smaller the holes, generally. That’s why the Pratten (and Nicholson)flutes are huge bores with corresponding holes.
A lot has to do with the venting of the notes above the holes as well.
But remember…even Small holed flutes can sound great. Best case in point is Chris Norman’s boxwood Rudall. Wonderful tone and small holes.
Many of the French flutes remained this way for years (take a look at the marvelous crystal flutes of Laurent…teeny holes).
and Harry…you cracked me up with the burial quip! 