1. Airflow: The player blows air across the embouchure hole, which is the opening at the top of the flute. The airstream creates a turbulence and vibration inside the flute.
2. Resonance: The turbulent airflow sets the air column inside the flute into vibration, causing it to resonate. The length of the air column determines the pitch of the note produced. By varying the length of the air column, the player can produce different notes.
3. Fingering: The flute has a series of holes along its length that the player covers or uncovers with their fingers. Each combination of open and closed holes changes the length of the air column, which in turn changes the pitch of the note produced.
4. Frequency and Sound Waves: The vibrating air column inside the flute creates pressure variations, which propagate as sound waves through the air. These sound waves consist of alternating regions of compression and rarefaction that travel away from the flute, reaching our ears and perceived as sound.
The specific pitch of each note is determined by the length of the air column and the fingering used. The player's breath control and embouchure (the way they shape their mouth and blow into the flute) also influence the quality and tone of the sound produced.
In summary, a flute generates vibrations and sound waves by combining directed airflow, acoustic resonance within the air column, and controlled manipulation of the air column's length through fingering. These factors work together to produce the beautiful and distinctive sound of the flute.