Flute: Design, Technical and Expressive Features

The purpose of the article is to analyse the current developments in the flute construction, outline the essential changes associated with its technical and expressive features, and the prospects for its application in musical culture; to consider the samples of flute modification that were carried out after the T. Boehm’s reform. The research methodology consists in using historical and analytical approaches to highlight the features of flute development, as well as a comparative method in the analysis of changes in the flute construction. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the fact that for the first time it outlines various modern modifications of the flute in the historical development of musical culture, and also emphasizes their technical and expressive features considering that modern changes in the flute construction have been insufficiently explored in Ukrainian art studies, in fact, different models of the instrument are only being introduced into the practice of performance. It is noted that changes in the instrument construction are closely connected with the practice of composing, stimulating further strategies for its development. Conclusions. The study shows that the flute is an instrument that has undergone significant changes in its construction. The desire to follow the latest trends in the field of performing and composing art results in the need for further experiments in its construction. The instrument is updated by adding certain devices (microphones), equipment (valves, membranes, keys), and this allows expanding the flute’s performing possibilities. A number of contemporary composers write compositions for the updated flute. The use of these instruments is a very promising direction in Ukraine. Knowledge of the technical and expressive possibilities of the flute can provide significant informative material that would be useful for both performers and composers