Flute
People have enjoyed playing the flute for at least 5,000 years. Most modern flutes are made of metal because metal helps them to sound louder. Sound is produced on a flute the just like a whistle. When the player’s breath hits the hole on the top of the mouthpiece of the flute, the air stream splits in two and makes a whistling sound. Flute players have to be able to keep a lot of air in their lungs. They have to control the escape of all that air also. This is called "breath control." Players need good breath control to play the flute.

Flutes come in four different sizes. The smallest flute is the piccolo. It makes a high sound. Next is the flute in size and is the most popular member of its family. The alto flute is larger than the flute, and is lower in pitch. It has a deep sound and takes more air when played. The bass flute is very long. The part into which the player blows has to be bent into a "U" shape so that it can be held easier. It produces the lowest sound and takes the most air of all the flutes.

Information found at http://www.sbgmusic.com/html/teacher/reference/instruments/woodwind.html
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