Definition

Noun: A fipple flute is a tubular wind instrument with a fipple mouthpiece and typically eight finger holes. The fipple is a block that directs the player's breath against a sharp edge (the labium), producing sound. This design characterizes a family of instruments, with the most common example being the recorder.

Examples

• The music teacher introduced the fipple flute, specifically the soprano recorder, to the third-grade class.
• Unlike the transverse flute, a fipple flute is held vertically and the player blows into the mouthpiece.
• Many early music ensembles feature the sweet, clear sound of a fipple flute.

Advanced Usage

• The term fipple flute is often used in organology (the study of musical instruments) to classify instruments like the recorder, tin whistle, flageolet, and gemshorn based on their sound production mechanism.
• In historical contexts, you might encounter references to Renaissance or Baroque fipple flutes.

Variants and Related Words

• Recorder (n): The most familiar and widely used type of fipple flute.
• Tin whistle (n): A simple, often metal, fipple flute popular in folk music.
• Fipple (n): The block or plug inside the mouthpiece that shapes the air stream.
• Duct flute (n): A synonym for fipple flute, emphasizing the air duct formed by the fipple.

Synonyms

• Duct flute
• Block flute

Related Phrases

• Fipple mouthpiece: The defining component of the instrument where the fipple is located.
• End-blown flute: A broader category that includes fipple flutes and other instruments blown from the end.

Noun

1. a tubular wind instrument with 8 finger holes and a fipple mouthpiece