what is difference between a Whistle and a flute?

[jim stone]

The position is irrelevant. I own a whistle that is blown transversely through a beak soldered onto the side. I also have flutes (quenas) that are endblown.

Note that I said that transverse flutes are USUALLY side-blown.
And I said nothing about the position of a whistle.

Position is relevant--transverse flutes are typically side blown--
but position isn't essential, I agree.

Actually, tranverse flutes are ALWAYS side blown. That's why they are called transverse. Quenas and shakuhachis and the likes, on the other hand, can be defined as end blown (fippless) flutes.

But generally I would say whistles are six holed fippled flutes (the fipple is the key!) and fippless/fipple-less/whatever flute is a flute is a flute, no matter where and how you blow it.

Br, Heikki Petäjistö

Ah hah! A philosopher. Consider that there are special headjoints
for transverse flutes that curve around in such a way that the flute
is held veritically, like a low D whistle, although one blows
across the embouchure hole just the same. That's still a transverse
flute, I would say, not an end blown flute. Hence transverse flutes
are usually side blown.

I think there is no 'fact of the matter' here. One simply
finds a workable nomenclature and allows some exceptions.
As long as we can communicate and give info.

Anyhow the great divide is between fipple and fippless flutes, as you say.
And there are different species of fippless flutes. Transverse flutes are fippless flutes typically played side-blown.
Quenas et al are, as you say, end-blown fippless flutes, not transverse
fippless flutes. I did leave them out.

There we've done it now. A new taxonomy of the Flute Kingdom.
What fun! We can publish a book, The Critique of Pure Drool.

[TheSpoonMan]

Just cause I feel like provoking...

Ah hah! A philosopher. Consider that there are special headjoints
for transverse flutes that curve around in such a way that the flute
is held veritically, like a low D whistle, although one blows
across the embouchure hole just the same. That's still a transverse
flute, I would say, not an end blown flute. Hence transverse flutes
are usually side blown.

Well yeah, but disregarding the curve you're still blowing on the side of the tube, no?

[jim stone]

Exactly!

[legolas]

Thank you all for replay.
I checked wikipedia and the link which contain sound samples.
now i have a better understanding.
Thanks

[CHIFF FIPPLE]

Note that I said that transverse flutes are USUALLY side-blown.
And I said nothing about the position of a whistle.

Position is relevant--transverse flutes are typically side blown--
but position isn't essential, I agree.

Actually, tranverse flutes are ALWAYS side blown. That's why they are called transverse. Quenas and shakuhachis and the likes, on the other hand, can be defined as end blown (fippless) flutes.

But generally I would say whistles are six holed fippled flutes (the fipple is the key!) and fippless/fipple-less/whatever flute is a flute is a flute, no matter where and how you blow it.

Br, Heikki Petäjistö

Ah hah! A philosopher. Consider that there are special headjoints
for transverse flutes that curve around in such a way that the flute
is held veritically, like a low D whistle, although one blows
across the embouchure hole just the same. That's still a transverse
flute, I would say, not an end blown flute. Hence transverse flutes
are usually side blown.

I think there is no 'fact of the matter' here. One simply
finds a workable nomenclature and allows some exceptions.
As long as we can communicate and give info.

Anyhow the great divide is between fipple and fippless flutes, as you say.
And there are different species of fippless flutes. Transverse flutes are fippless flutes typically played side-blown.
Quenas et al are, as you say, end-blown fippless flutes, not transverse
fippless flutes. I did leave them out.

There we've done it now. A new taxonomy of the Flute Kingdom.
What fun! We can publish a book, The Critique of Pure Drool.

Now this is a Flute