I want to settle this right now. About a 100 years ago flutist died out because the very classy started to say flautist becuase it "sounded better" So for the last 100 years the word flustist has not been said very often. The word it flautist. If you dont belive me look it up. Oh and I have a question I just got 2 new flutes (a pearl and emerson) which one should I keep? I really like the Emerson but I love the Pearl. E-mail me.

the definition of flautist is flutist. hmm, i wonder which one should be used. the word or a made up word that means the same thing...

Why is it that we say "flautist?" No one else says "obauist" or "trombaunist." In fact, here is the "Symphounic Ourchestra/Baund:"
(In scoure Ourder)

Condauctor
Piccolouist
Flautist
Obauist
Claraunetist
Saxaphaunist
Bassaunist
Trumpautist/Coronautist
(doesnt work for horn)
Trombaunist
Euphaunist
(doesnt work for tuba either)
percaussionaust
violaunist
violaust
cellaust
string bassaust

ha ha there u go!

Flutist of Flautist? Well, actually that`s how they both are spelled in the dictionary. But flutist sounds like " flute-ist " and flautist is actually pronounced like " flaw-tist "

Definitly the pearl!! That is allways the best one

Thought you would like to know "flauta" is the Icelandic word for "flute." And many of the Old English words are from the Old Norse and Icelandic words!!

Actually, I think it might be a Latin root. In spanish flute is flauta, and my dictionary says that the word flute (and its Middle English predecessor, floute) may be descended from a Latin verb flare, which means to blow. Rather fitting, if you ask me.

no, the person about the Old English roots is correct... In case u don`t know, the first fltues were simply pieces of wood with holes bored into them (one of the reasons that flutes are Woodwinds). The correct term, based on the REAL ORIGINAL name of the flute is "Flautist."

As to the instrument, you should pick whichever one is better to your ear and whichever one you like most. I hate when people ask other to make decisions like that on this forum... it`s totally in the eye of the player.

But don`t take it from me im just a Guitar/Piano/Violin/Fife/Percussion/Bugle player.

yeah both are in my music dictionary, but i say flautist. also, i have pearl flute and i love it. pearl all the way! lol. of course now i want a new flute.......still pearl

Cooooooool!!!
I am a clarinauttist now.

In the dictionaries I have consulted, flautist is identified as an incomplete anglicization of the Italian Flautista.

However, erudite etymologies aside, my earliest serious flute teacher, Carolyn Hoyer of St. Louis responded to the question this way:

What are you playing -- a flute or a flaut?

To paraphrase Shakespeare: A flute by any other name will sound as sweet

To paraphrase Gertrude Stein: A flute is a flute is a flute!!!!

Seriously, it is flautist. Believe me.

flautist is what the correct term is

Well, I´m from Spain and I`ve got no problem in how to call that I am!My instrument is a "Flauta" and i´m a "Flautista"
Anyway, the word Flute, is the phonetic English evolution for the latin word flautus(flute` sound).
but, what is the correct from? Both, i think. Is the same that we, the spanish, say "Nueva York" not "New York" or "Londres" not "London"...
No matter how you call it, just love it.
Rachel, you ´r not a clarinautist, u don´t sail a clarinet, u play it!!! (lat. nauta = sailor!!!)

Wow, so much controversy over such a small word. I`ve always said `flautist` myself, just because I like the way it sounds better, which is how it came around in the first place, right? I`m sooo sad right now though because my flute, flaut, whatever is in the shop right now getting new pads. I miss it. I really need to practice my half time show music. We`re playing Carmina Burana this year. It should be fun! LIVINGSTON HIGH SCHOOL ROYAL BRIGADE MARCHING BAND ROX!!