That just isn't true, unless your definition of extremely recent is 50-100 years. Since the use of flutes in irish music is only around 200 years old, I don't really consider that recent. Also, nevermind that an absence of evidence of the use of Bb flutes in the 1800s isn't evidence of the absence of said use.Cubitt wrote:Using flutes in different keys is extremely recent
But the use of 3/4 flutes (F flutes), fifes / piccolos, and flute band flutes (often Eb) around Ireland, and of course the lack of A440 standardization until fairly recently, combined with Matt Molloy's (and others) use of alternate flutes on recordings from the 70s / 80s would say to me there's no way you can say that the use of non-A440 D flutes is "extremely recent".