flageolet

A simple, high-pitched, end-blown flute, made of wood, with six fingerholes; later, often fitted with metal keys and an ivory mouthpiece. It was popular during the 16th–18th-c, and did not become obsolete until about the mid-19th-c. An inferior keyless variety, made of brass, is known as the ‘tin whistle’, or ‘penny whistle’.

The first flageolets were made in the 16th Century and the instrument continued to be made until the 20th Century when it was succeeded by the tin whistle. The first flageolets were called "French flageolets", and have four tone-holes on the front and two on the back. Small versions of this instrument, called bird flageolets were also made and were used for teaching birds to sing. The number of keys on French flageolets range from none to seven, the exception being the Boehm system French flageolet made by Buffet crampon which had thirteen keys.

In the late 18th and early 19th century certain English instrument makers started to make flageolets with six finger-holes on the front. Some were produced with changeable top joints which allowed the flageolet to be played as a flute or fife

An English maker, William Bainbridge, in around 1810 patented a double flageolet which consisted of two English flageolets joined together so that the player could harmonise the tunes that he played.

The flageolet was eventually entirely replaced by the tin whistle and is rarely played today.