The most commonly found flute in modern music is the Western concert flute. This transverse, that is to say blown from the side, woodwind instrument is made of metal or wood. A player of the flute is known as a flautist or a flute player.

In the medieval era the recorder was the dominant instrument in Europe. Around the 12th century the transverse migrated from Asia to Europe via the Byzantine Empire. Initially this flute was known as a "German flute" due to its popularity in that country, however it was also used in France. The flute found a purpose in court music, and was played alongside the viol.

In the late 1400s a military use of the flute found it spreading throughout the European continent; the Swiss army used it for signalling. A redesign of the flute in the Baroque era gave the instrument a conical bore design, and thus advanced the instrument's capabilities with a wider range and a more penetrating sound - without sacrificing the gentle timbre of the instrument. It was in this era that the flute was first used in orchestral music.