3 Differences Between Boehm and Simple System Flutes
I’m often asked about the differences between my two flutes, particularly after concerts when audience members have seen the two side by side on stage.
One is a Boehm system flute, which is often referred to as a classical or silver flute because of its presence in Western classical music and the fact that these flutes are usually made from silver (or silver-colored metals). A Boehm flute is the instrument you will often see played in orchestras, chamber music settings, or even at Jethro Tull concerts.
The other flute is a simple system flute, often called an Irish flute due to its presence in Irish traditional music. This is the flute you will often see at Irish sessions and concerts, although it is certainly not limited to just Irish traditional music.
There are three primary ways in which these flutes are different, and each difference will affect your approach to the instrument.
1. Material
Left to right: Boehm system flute in sterling silver, simple system flute in African blackwood.
The first and most obvious difference between the two flutes is that they are made of contrasting materials. Boehm flutes are made of metal, such as plated silver, sterling silver, various alloys, or even gold. You may occasionally see a flutist playing these flutes with a wooden headjoint, but by and large, the primary headjoint and body of the flute are metal.
Simple system flutes are made out of different types of wood or even plastic polymers. Some of the woods used include African blackwood (black with red undertones), boxwood (yellow), or mopane (reddish-brown). Cocus wood (dark brown) was once widely used as well, but it is now almost extinct.
More recently, African blackwood is becoming less available and efforts to conserve this wood are under way. Flute maker Martin Doyle has written more about this subject.
2. Keys (And Some Fingerings)
Another crucial difference between Boehm and simple system flutes is that they have different sets of keys—or in the case of some simple system flutes, no keys at all. This means two things. First, that simple system flutists play by covering holes with their fingers, rather than placing them on keys like Boehm players, and second, the two flutes do not always have the same fingerings.
Although these differences may seem intimidating to some flutists, it is certainly possible to accommodate them with patience and practice. There are exercises that can help with learning to play on holes instead of keys, and there are only a few different fingerings when playing in the key signatures commonly used in Irish traditional music.
Key system of an open hole Boehm flute.
Finger holes in a keyed simple system flute.
3. Bore Shape and Size
Simple system flute with a conical bore which becomes progressively narrow towards the bottom of the instrument. Photo by Leah Bernini Cronin.
The bore, which is the internal shape or diameter of an instrument, is also different between these two flutes. Boehm flutes have cylindrical bodies and slightly conical headjoints. This means the body of the instrument is the same diameter throughout, while the headjoint is slightly narrower at one end.
Simple system flutes are the opposite, with a cylindrical headjoint and conical body. This means the headjoint is the same diameter throughout, while the body becomes progressively narrower. Simple system flutes also come in a variety of bore sizes which affect the spacing of the finger holes. This means you’ll want to carefully consider bore size when shopping for a simple system flute.
For more details on Boehm and simple system flutes, including their different requirements for care and upkeep, fingerings, intonation, tone, and more, check out Playing Outside the Lines, Volume I.