All orchestra wind instruments are chromatic, yet we have the C flute and Bb clarinet etc.AuLoS303 wrote: recorders aren't in keys, they are chromatic
With woodwinds it varies on which fingering has traditionally been used to name the instrument from.
Irish flutes and whistles use the "six finger note"
xxx xxx D thus a "D flute"
Boehm flute and sax use the "seven finger note" (a full tone below the six finger note)
xxx xxx x C thus a "C flute" or "C melody sax"
or the note that would be the crossfingered C natural on Irish whistle, done with the thumb-key on the flute.
Clarinets use the "three finger note"
xxx ooo Bb thus a "Bb clarinet".
It's just the traditions of the various instruments.