Flute

The flute is technically a family of woodwind instruments that use side-blown air instead of a reed to produce a note. There exist a few version and keys but the standard C flute is the most common version of the instrument used in jazz and contemporary music.

Arguably the most common flute in most jazz and contemporary ensembles the standard flute is a C non transposing instrument. While rare in jazz and contemporary music it does make an appearance occasionally and can sometimes be doubled by a sax or other woodwind player.

Most versions of the flute (alto, bass etc...) share the same standard range with the exception of the piccolo flute whose (lowest note is a second higher than the standard flute). Most flute players can play above a high E but this is generally the safest range for the instrument. This higher register is also more limited on the alto and bass flutes and should be used with caution.

As mentioned above most flute players can extend the range of the instrument higher than a standard high E although anything above a C7 should be avoided unless it's possible to check with the individual player(s).

Note(s) to be played short and separated. On the flute this means each note is articulated/tongued but played slightly shorter than its full value.

Best used in combination with staccato markings to indicate a note is to be played for its full value. Otherwise it means the note should receive some emphasis but what for that will take is context dependent.

Play the note accented for its full value. Very common when playing lines in a big band horn section or shout chorus.

As with jazz arranging in general the marcato articulation usually results in an accented note with a shorter value (about 2/3) than a standard accent. Use for short, punchy lines that need some space and tightness to them.

Play smoothly without tonguing each note.

A glissando (sometimes referred to as a slide) is a common brass and woodwind instrument articulation/effect that involves sliding up or down from one note to another. This can be accomplished either by playing chromatically between the two pitches or by bending in the direction of the gliss.

Slight oscillation of a note; used frequently in jazz by default but can be notated as well.

A trill on the flute is accomplished by playing two notes in rapid succession. Usually by default the trill will either be a whole step or the next logical note (next note in the key or altered note in the bar), accidentals can also be placed above the trill marking to specify which note is to be played.

A fall indicates a long or short fall-off from a note with no specific ending note; this is most frequently used in jazz and contemporary music. Long falls can be noted with a gliss downwards (first in the example) or with a quick fall marking (second in the example).

In contrast to a glissando that tends to emphasize a smooth transition between two notes a rip is a more aggressive and has a bit more style to it. Most commonly seen in big band, funk and other contemporary genres.

A doit is a quick upwards glissando away from a specified pitch with no real discernible ending. Like the rip it is most common in jazz, funk and contemporary music.

A scoop is a short gliss to specified note.