traversière

Traversière is a French term that can refer to several things, primarily related to a musical instrument or a method of playing. In music, traversière most commonly refers to the transverse flute, also known as the German flute or simply the flute as played today. This is in contrast to the recorder, which is played vertically. The term emphasizes the horizontal playing position of the instrument.

Beyond the instrument itself, traversière can also describe the technique of playing the transverse flute. Therefore, one might speak of "la musique traversière" to refer to music written for or played on this instrument. The word derives from the French verb "traverser," meaning "to cross" or "to go across," directly referencing the way the flute is held and played across the player's body. While less common, in historical contexts, it could also sometimes refer to other instruments played in a similar transverse manner.