Five-key flute

The five-key flute is a musical instrument once common in school marching bands, and composed of wood with metal keys.

It is a transposing instrument, most commonly in A♭, this variant being known as the B♭ flute, named after its lowest note and sounding a minor sixth below the orchestral piccolo.

They are now often found in British military corps of drums, often playing various regimental marches.

F♮ is an uncommon note in traditional music for the five-key flute, but where it appears the short F key is sometimes awkward to play.

The modern five-key flute is conical in bore, with a cylindrical head joint and a body that tapers to become narrowest furthest from the mouthpiece.