Flute shapes and Styles

There are several options for the shape of the flute's body. Consult the chart below for approximate shapes. The views shown here are cross-sections, as if looking into the barrel of the flute. The shape of the body has relatively little effect on sound, and is simply a matter of personal preference. The eye-shape is a bit more artistic perhaps and really shows off the instrument as being unique, but the round body is just as good.

Wall thickness can be either thick or thin, both of which have their advantages and disadvantages. For instance, the thin walled flute is much lighter, resonates more, and has a much more delicate and elegant appearance. Usually, too, a thin walled flute will be a bit louder than a thick walled flute of the same size, though this is not always necessarily the case.

A thick walled flute, on the other hand, has a more traditional, simple appearance, and is much more sturdy than a thin walled one. It would be perfect for carrying while out backpacking or hiking, where it could be stuffed into your pack without worry of it being crushed. A thicker flute might also be preferred by a woman (or man) who hikes alone a lot, as it has more weight and can, in an emergency be used as a club, whereas a thin walled flute would break to pieces if used in this manner. Certainly, I don't advocate using my instruments as weapons, but in this day and age, there are a lot of bad people running around, and it doesn't hurt to be extra careful!