A woodwind musical instrument and a member of the fipple flute family.

The first flageolets were made in the 16th century and the instrument continued to be made until the 20th century when it was succeeded by the tin whistle.

Flageolets have varied greatly during the last 400 years. The first flageolets were called 'French flageolets' and have 4 tone-holes on the front and 2 on the back. Small versions of this instrument, called bird flageolets, were also made and were used for teaching birds to sing.

In the late 18th and early 19th century certain English instrument makers started to make flageolets with 6 finger-holes on the front. These instruments are called 'English flageolets' and were eventually produced in metal as tin whistles. Some were produced with changeable top joints which allowed the flageolet to be played as a flute or fife.

The flageolet was eventually entirely replaced by the tin whistle and is rarely played today. However, it is a very easy instrument to play and the tone is soft and gentle. It has a range of about 2 octaves.