What is the generally accepted range of the flute? I know it starts at middle C (or B below that), which is C4 if I understand it correctly..... One of my books has a fingering chart up to 2 Gs above middle C - which would be G6...? But another of my books has fingering up to the C above that, so C7, i.e. C four ledger lines above the staff. What would be an acceptable range for most players to aim for? I am approaching grade 2 standard (I think) and have played fairly reliably up to C6 and its sharp. If I try any of the notes above that they don't come out at all! I assume it's simple case of working on my embouchure to attain those higher notes? At the moment they sound a bit like when you play second octave D followed by second octave E and forget to put your first finger down again.

I hope that all made sense, and would welcome advice.

Generally C7 is the highest you'd need to play, although a few pieces e.g. Prokofiev Sonata go slightly higher to D or even above. WFG tends to be quite a good source for fingerings, this should show you the third octave, at the bottom is a link to alternative fingerings for fourth octave but those are seldom required.

It's mainly a matter of working on diaphragm support and embouchure, just keep working at it.

It depends on if you're using MIDI numberings or not. *Quickly consults keyboard playing boyfriend* Apparently in MIDI, C3 is middle C...

Anyways, flautists generally refer to middle C as C1. So counting up from there, normal range for a flute is up to C4. (C three octaves above middle C). D4 and D#4 are quite common (by the time you're playing advanced stuff anyway). I've seen fingering charts up as far as F4, but I've never hit it. E4 I managed once. I have seen it speculated on these forums that to get much into the fourth octave, you need a Bb foot, so it might not just be a case of practise.

Finally, I think the general rule is that anything much above C3, and you're hoping a nice picolloist is doubling you, because it won't sound all that nice.

Thanks for that peeps. I will keep at it.

Tamsin, that's useful to know about the numbering, I had no idea it was so interchangable, it makes life much easier referring to to them in terms of the flute range only.