i think it changed recentley from flautist to flutist. I was reading an article recentley and a principal flautist said it changed to flutist. maybe. it would be easier if it was flutist.

well, i always thought the word "flutist" looked right...but "flautist" just sounds sweet and is really nice....how about spelling it "flutist" but saying "flautist"?? heh, i don`t play the flute my self.....according to an earlier poster i am mainly an obauist...lol

WODAN: you play fife???? well done!!! i love fife...do you play it really well??? talk to me!!

I think "flute" in some language is "Flauto" Maybe that`s why.


Anyhow... the common sayings at Flute Camp were:
"I`m a flautist, I play the flaut."
"I do NOT play the flaut."
"Do YOU play the flaut?"

You get the idea. We agreed on flutist.

Have fun debating,
Gumdrop

ok......
to clear up the language thing
English~Flute,
Italian~Flauto,
German~Grosse Flote,
French~Flute

So....I guess you could be a flutist, flautist, flotist (?), call yourself whatever. Personally I still think it being written flutist seems better. But it being said as "flautist" still sounds nice. what do yall think??

as the wonderful homeless flute player in annie hall said in response to the argument between alvie and annie,"flutist,flautist.....50 dollars a week is all it is!"

flauto is in italian i think.. and i personally use "flautist" =)

James Galway said,I am a flutist not a flautist,I play the flute not the flaute.I think that is right.My teacher says flutist.

i use the word `flautist`.

Personally I just say I play the flute.:0

The Latin word FLAUT means "to jeer, or mock".

The term flautist has negative connotations and derives its meaning from the practice of playing a flute to ridicule. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term flautist did not appear in English until 1860, when Nathaniel Hawthorne used it in The Marble Faun. ("The flautist poured his breath in quick puffs of jollity") The frequent use of the word flautist is probably inspired by the Italian terminology, flauto which pervades musical scores. Significantly, Hawthorne had lived in Italy for a year and a half before he wrote The Marble Faun.

The Oxford English Dictionary states that the word flutist (1603) is a much older established word than flautist (1860). Since the English term flute is related to the modern French flûte, it follows therefore that the player of that instrument would be a flutist.

Toff, Nancy. The Flute Book. Oxford University Press, Inc. New York: 1996

stop it now you are all pathetic does it matter. people have their different opinions and we should respect that

A Flutist is "a flute player"

A Flautist is a "flutist".

Looks like one of those vicious circles to me.

Vicious circle: An area of action or influence which has no beginning and no end, and withing which controversy builds with each circuit therearound. (snicker, snicker)

lets just make things more interesting and throw out the term "fluter" (seriously guys, i`ve heard this one too....*face-plant*)

okay, lets just say that if you say either flutist or flautist, you won`t sound stupid...so both of them work!

I think that phlootephyre on the first page has a good point. Why should the flute be the only instrument to have its players called an illogical name? We should start calling trombone players trombaunists, oboe players obauists, etc. Think about it, guys, it makes absolutely no sense! I think it should be just "flutists". However, if you want to say the other one, feel free. Just read phlootephyre`s post, and it will not only make you think, but it will make your day too (it certainly made mine).

Thomas

My flute teacher used to say `flutist` but personally i believe that `flautist` sounds a lot better and, if its not to blod to say, proffesional. As for what flute you should keep, it depends on which you feel more comfortable playing.