Evolution. GX1, Leitz Elmarit 90mm, Bellows II.

The previous Blip of the old Potter 6-keyed flute's keywork here has set me off on a journey of rediscovery of my instruments. Today's Blip is a close-up showing the four keys operated by the player's right 5th finger. This is a modern orchestral flute made to the design of Theobald Boehm who, between 1831 and 1847 totally redesigned the old flute which old man Potter knew, into a much louder instrument which was easier to play. Wiki reminds me of the dates. As I mentioned in the blurb to the Potter Blip, the "new" music of the Age of Enlightenment and Classical periods required flutes to reach down to low C. Late 19th century orchestral literature required low B natural occasionally and some variants of Boehm's design cater to that. Mine is such an instrument. The C and B keys are equipped with little rollers which enable the finger pad to travel to the keys more quickly and easily. It's brilliant, and so simple really...