How did prog end up so heavily using flutes?

[rumborak]

I always wondered that. Early Genesis had Peter Gabriel playing it, Jethro Tull used it big time, and I believe a good number of other bands did too. I once talked to a prog band (who were looking for a guitarist) who said they couldn't get gigs because they didn't have a flute player and thus nobody took them seriously (totally bogus btw, they didn't get gigs because they sucked).

rumborak

[KevShmev]

Don't forget the Moody Blues, who were one of the first prog rock bands.

I wish more bands, not just prog bands, used a flute.

[The Letter M]

I don't know, but hearing Theo Travis playing flute on "Don't Hate Me" is absolutely amazing. I also enjoy his flute work with The Tangent.

I think prog bands just enjoy using traditional orchestral instruments that are harder to recreate with a keyboard or synthesizer, and flute and sax are probably the two that are most used. I think strings have been pretty well replicated with mellotron and other type voices.

I enjoy real flute during prog music. I think there should be more of it.

-Marc.

[Seventh Son]

This might be off-topic, seeings as its about prog and all....

But Mael Mordha are a folk metal band that use flutes and its generally pretty awesome.

Edit: I'd love to post a link to a song of theirs, but I don't think they have a channel at all so I'm not sure if its okay to post a song.....

[PixelDream]

Strange phenomenon indeed.

And the Ozric Tentacles began to suck from the moment they ditched John Egan, their flute player. He totally made the vibe during live gigs. I saw them a week ago, and it just wasn't the same without him.

[Seventh Son]

I'm not even sure if I would call Ozric Tentacles prog, just really bat shit insane.

[LudwigVan]

The Marshall Tucker Band had a flutist, Jerry Eubanks.  Not exactly a Prog band, but certainly unusual for a Southern blues/rock band. 

[LieLowTheWantedMan]

Flute was pretty heavy in ItCotCK.

[Orbert]

I think prog bands just enjoy using traditional orchestral instruments that are harder to recreate with a keyboard or synthesizer, and flute and sax are probably the two that are most used. I think strings have been pretty well replicated with mellotron and other type voices.

Something like this.  Flutes are nice as a lead instrument and have a unique color to them.  Since one aspect of prog is incorporating nonstandard instrumentation, it just seems like something that would happen a bit.  Somebody in the band plays flute and the band says "Hey, you could take a solo here, it would be cool!"  So they do.  Saxophones show up in jazz and rock anyway, and clarinets are too weird, so flutes got the gig by default.

[jsem]

There should be more clarinets in prog....

[Orbert]

Nah, they're too weird.  Someone takes a flute solo in a song, people go "Hey, flute solo, cool!"  

Someone whips out a clarinet and people go "Wow, reminds me of that one nerdy dude in junior high who played clarinet."

[The Letter M]

Nah, they're too weird.  Someone takes a flute solo in a song, people go "Hey, flute solo, cool!"  

Someone whips out a clarinet and people go "Wow, reminds me of that one nerdy dude in junior high who played clarinet."

Unless you've heard Rewiring Genesis' Tribute to The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, which features some great solos from instruments like clarinet, accordion, and more!

-Marc.

[Orbert]

That actually sounds pretty cool.  I'll check out a Genesis tribute, especially one with a twist like that.

I was being facetious, mostly.  I play clarinet, and it's easily my least favorite woodwind.  Flute and sax are both so much cooler.

[The Letter M]

That actually sounds pretty cool.  I'll check out a Genesis tribute, especially one with a twist like that.

I was being facetious, mostly.  I play clarinet, and it's easily my least favorite woodwind.  Flute and sax are both so much cooler.

That's funny because as a band-geek growing up (and still am, sort of), I've had more friends that were/are clarinetists and flutists or saxophonists.

As for Rewiring Genesis, they took all the keyboard parts and replaced them with real instruments, like strings and winds and brass, to create something fresh-sounding while still undeniably Genesis-sounding. Also, "The Grand Parade Of Lifeless Packaging" is done entirely by Nick's vocals and various percussion instruments...and nothing else. Definitely check out the whole album, especially if you love/enjoy the original, the twists and turns on the Rewired version breathe new life to an old classic.

-Marc.

[robwebster]

I always wondered that. Early Genesis had Peter Gabriel playing it, Jethro Tull used it big time, and I believe a good number of other bands did too. I once talked to a prog band (who were looking for a guitarist) who said they couldn't get gigs because they didn't have a flute player and thus nobody took them seriously (totally bogus btw, they didn't get gigs because they sucked).

rumborak

I think you've kind of identified it in the OP.

Loads of prog bands used different instruments. Progressive rock is not known for its bog standard use of instrumentation and arrangements.

Flutes are only particularly quintessential insomuch as there were a few bands using them at the sort of "beginning" of prog. Think it's more that they [read: flutes] happened to be the ones that were chosen more than once, and by influential bands. Prog bands emulate other prog bands. Jethro Tull, The Moody Blues and Genesis are - I'd argue - the cause, rather than the effect, of what you're observing.

[ariich]

Nah, they're too weird.  Someone takes a flute solo in a song, people go "Hey, flute solo, cool!" 

Someone whips out a clarinet and people go "Wow, reminds me of that one nerdy dude in junior high who played clarinet."

'I Belong To You' by Muse has a bass clarinet solo, and it is awesome. Don't you diss the clarinet!

In response to the OP, I'd have thought it stems from the use of flute in jazz music, jazz being quite a big influence on the prog genre.

[Orbert]

Yeah, but saxophones are used a lot more in jazz, and they don't show up in prog as often as flutes.  So it's still kinda weird.

Bass clarinet is kinda cool, just because it's not a regular clarinet.  I've played flute since I was ten, picked up sax in junior high, but man, learning clarinet was nuts.  It's just a weirdass instrument.  I've even played oboe and English horn, though I don't own any.  So as someone who's played them all, I think I can safely diss the clarinet.

[ariich]

Yeah, but saxophones are used a lot more in jazz, and they don't show up in prog as often as flutes.  So it's still kinda weird.

Hmm, not sure about that, saxophones are used quite a lot in prog. Alan Parsons and King Crimson are two that spring to mind off the top of my head.

EDIT: Oh yeah Pink Floyd used them a fair amount as well.

[pogoowner]

Yeah, but saxophones are used a lot more in jazz, and they don't show up in prog as often as flutes.  So it's still kinda weird.

Hmm, not sure about that, saxophones are used quite a lot in prog. Alan Parsons and King Crimson are two that spring to mind off the top of my head.

EDIT: Oh yeah Pink Floyd used them a fair amount as well.

Proto-Kaw used/uses both sax and flute, and Van der Graaf Generator used sax all the time as well.

[Dr. DTVT]

I don't have much to add to this, except that I know Shadow Gallery has flute sections as well, and Carl (the bass player) played the flute at the SG concert.

[MetalManiac666]

I'm guessing that it had something to do with the fact that it was just plain outside of the norm.

[Gorille85]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM4lL9uiVhU

I think it's a flute at 1:15?

[MetalManiac666]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM4lL9uiVhU

I think it's a flute at 1:15?

I don't think that's a flute.  I could be wrong though.

[Orbert]

So I used to have this obscure version of Octavarium...

[SoundscapeMN]

Emanuel & the Fear - "Guatemala" around 1:30-on especially
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iV2It10Rqsk

[jsem]

Yeah, but saxophones are used a lot more in jazz, and they don't show up in prog as often as flutes.  So it's still kinda weird.

Hmm, not sure about that, saxophones are used quite a lot in prog. Alan Parsons and King Crimson are two that spring to mind off the top of my head.

EDIT: Oh yeah Pink Floyd used them a fair amount as well.

Ummmm.. Jay Beckenstein... from Spyro Gyra right? Yeah...
Dream Theater - Another Day.. soprano sax 

[kala1928]

Being a synth guy I really like a 'fat' flute sound (most real flutes are quite fat tbh compared to a lot of silly synth flutes). It fits really well into a lot of stuff that needs a break from the overused string or piano sections.

[cthrubuoy]

Prog and Flutes thread but no mention of Camel or Focus yet?

[YtseBitsySpider]

I blame Jethro Tull.

[ThroughHerEyesDude6]

To me, a flute is a gentle way of bringing dimension to the heaviness of a guitar/bass/drum collection. I like it, but what about a trumpet or trombone solo? Anyone done that yet?

[SPNKr]

To me, a flute is a gentle way of bringing dimension to the heaviness of a guitar/bass/drum collection. I like it, but what about a trumpet or trombone solo? Anyone done that yet?

Chicago have a trumpet and trombonist and they did unison melodies and stuff like that.

[jsem]

Chicago isn't prog though. But I love their wind additions to the traditional band structure, I am biased in a way cuz I play sax but still. In terms of soloing it wasn't very frequent if at all.

[King Postwhore]

Chicago isn't prog though. But I love their wind additions to the traditional band structure, I am biased in a way cuz I play sax but still. In terms of soloing it wasn't very frequent if at all.

Early Chicago would like to have a word with you.  BTW Walter Parazaider playes a mean flute.

[SPNKr]

Chicago isn't prog though. But I love their wind additions to the traditional band structure, I am biased in a way cuz I play sax but still. In terms of soloing it wasn't very frequent if at all.

Early Chicago would like to have a word with you.  BTW Walter Parazaider playes a mean flute.

[Orbert]

I like Parazaider's flute playing more than his sax.  He's great with the horn section, but his sax solos tend to be a lot of repeated riffs and scales.  They sound cool, but get boring pretty quickly and aren't exactly challenging to play.  His flute work is much more interesting and creative.

"prog" has so many different definitions and meanings, but if "breaking norms with unusual song structures, nonstandard instrumentation, and extended instrumentals" counts then early Chicago definitely fits the bill.  The second and third albums especially, and the fifth somewhat.