The English flageolet, 1800-1900 MacMillan, Douglas

RESUMEN: Despite the revival of interest in early music, little has been published regarding a popular amateur´s instrument of the 19 th century: the English flageolet. This article contains a brief history of the flageolet before 1800, followed by a discussion on "the small flute controversy" of the 18th century. The English single flageolet in its two forms (the English flageolet and the imrpoved octave flageolet), the double flageolet the triple flageolet and the single and double flute-flageolets are described, using information collated from an organological examination or surviving instruments, patents and treatises. Also noted are the changes made to the instrument in the course of the century, and the difference in fingering between instruments by different makers. The diminishing popularity of the double and triple flageolets after the middle of the century and it is this instrument that was particularly favoured by the few professional players of the flageolet. Much of the music for the flageolet (as published in treatises and sheet music) is relatively simple, suggesting that it was essentially an amateur´s instrument. Keywords: English flageolet, double flageolet, triple flageolet; flute- flageolet, John Parry; Jhon Briggs, William Bainbridge.