Articulation On The Flute
Ranked #3,452 in Music, #95,911 overall
Flute Articulations
Welcome to my lens on flute articulation! You'll get the scoop on techniques, with useful definitions and how to's so you can practice each one. There are videos, pictures, and descriptions of each articulation. Articulations include staccato, accents, marcattos, legato, slurs, ties, and double and triple tonguing. I hope you find my lens helpful.
Everything That's Here...
- What Articulations Do for You
- Follow flutestar123 On Twitter
- Vote: Do You Play An Instrument?
- Staccato Notes
- Staccato Song
- Picture Of Staccato Notes
- Accents
- Legato Notes
- Picture Of Legato Notes
- Legato Song
- Slurs And Ties
- Slured Notes
- Tied Notes
- Double And Triple Tonguing
- Flute Articulation Videos
- Vote: Do You Play Flute?
- All About The Flute
- Vote: What Is Your Favorite Flute Articulation? (Style)
- Other Good Articulation Links
- Extra Decorations
- About flutestar123
- Flute Articulation On Blogs
- What Do You Think?
What Articulations Do for You
You may be wondering what articulations do for you. They do a lot, actually.
They:
1) Make the music more interesting
2) Help create the style of the music
3) Draw attention to some parts of the music.
Follow flutestar123 On Twitter
- flutestar123
- aka Alexis Flute
- 1,824 followers
- 1,884 following
-
- I thought my updated and interesting Squidoo lens was worth sharing with you guys http://t.co/G6uZgqAz
-
- Made 4th chair at districts. My score went up 10 pts from last year. Auditioned for orchestra but didn't make it. Successful day. :)
-
- My Marching Band Experiences: Post-Season Thoughts http://t.co/rWp86fRV
-
- I thought my updated and interesting Squidoo lens was worth sharing with you guys http://t.co/ATmJg710
-
- Wow! Only 13 days until auditions! That's a scary thought. Pressure's going to be on, since people will be expecting me to make it again.
powered by Twitter
Vote: Do You Play An Instrument?
Loading poll. Please Wait...
Staccato Notes
The Short And Separated Articulation
A staccato looks like a dot right above a note. Play the note half it's normal length. For example, if you see a quarter note with a staccato, play it like an eighth note with an eighth rest after it. Staccato notes are played with your diaphragm--not with your tongue. When you play staccato notes you should be able to see your belly moving in and out. Staccato notes are used in dances and sections when notes are supposed to be light. Staccato markings are usually placed above quarter notes or eighth notes. This bears repeating:to practice staccato notes don't use your tongue to play notes but use your diaphragm. This will sound horrible but that is how you practice staccato notes.
In the picture, the first note would be played accented, and the second note staccato.
In the picture, the first note would be played accented, and the second note staccato.
Staccato Song
powered by Youtube
Picture Of Staccato Notes
Accents
The Heavier Notes
W hat is an accent? An accent is a notation in music that tells you to play a note with more emphasis. An accent looks like a greater than or less than sign.
An accent is used to make a note stand out. You play accents with your tongue.
A marcato is a type of accent. It means STRONGLYaccented. Marcato is usually played in a march.
To practice accents or marcato play a scale using these elements.
In the picture, the accented note is the one on the right.
An accent is used to make a note stand out. You play accents with your tongue.
A marcato is a type of accent. It means STRONGLYaccented. Marcato is usually played in a march.
To practice accents or marcato play a scale using these elements.
In the picture, the accented note is the one on the right.
Legato Notes
The Smooth, Connected, Pretty Articulation
L
egato means smooth and connected. Legato pieces are usually slower pieces. Legato looks like a line right above a note.
To practice a legato note play it on different scales. Remember to make the notes smooth and connected.
To practice legato notes I would play a slow piece legato or play scales as legato as possible.
egato means smooth and connected. Legato pieces are usually slower pieces. Legato looks like a line right above a note.
To practice a legato note play it on different scales. Remember to make the notes smooth and connected.
To practice legato notes I would play a slow piece legato or play scales as legato as possible.
Picture Of Legato Notes
Slurs And Ties
To slur is to play notes with different pitches without a break(1).
To play a slur, you don't tongue.
Don't get a slur and a tie confused. A tie is when you play notes of the same pitch without a break (1).
To practice slurs and ties play a scale slurred or tied. You could also use a warm up book to practice slurs and ties.
From dictionary.com (1)
In the picture below, the first two notes are tied together, they are both Fs. The second group of two notes are slurred together, they are the notes F and C. I hand drew the picture because photographing it out of one of my old lesson book wasn't working.
To play a slur, you don't tongue.
Don't get a slur and a tie confused. A tie is when you play notes of the same pitch without a break (1).
To practice slurs and ties play a scale slurred or tied. You could also use a warm up book to practice slurs and ties.
From dictionary.com (1)
In the picture below, the first two notes are tied together, they are both Fs. The second group of two notes are slurred together, they are the notes F and C. I hand drew the picture because photographing it out of one of my old lesson book wasn't working.
Slured Notes
Tied Notes
Double And Triple Tonguing
And Regular Tonguing
You may be wondering, why should I double tongue? Double tonguing allows you to tongue faster than if you are just tonguing regularly.
"Tonguing is the manipulation of the tongue in playing a wind instrument to interrupt the tone and produce a staccato effect." (1)
Double Tonguing
"To interrupt the wind flow by moving the tongue as if pronouncing t and k alternately, esp. in playing rapid passages or staccato notes on a brass instrument." (1)
Double tonguing is like tonguing a note and then saying "kuh" into your flute.
To practice double and triple tonguing, play a scale on eighth or sixteenth notes. Use a metronome to keep yourself steady.
"To interrupt the wind flow by moving the tongue as if pronouncing t and t and k successively, esp. in playing rapid passages or staccato notes on a brass instrument." (1)
Triple tonguing is pretty much the same thing as double tonguing, just a different pattern of T's and K's
(1)definitions from dictionary.com
"Tonguing is the manipulation of the tongue in playing a wind instrument to interrupt the tone and produce a staccato effect." (1)
Double Tonguing
"To interrupt the wind flow by moving the tongue as if pronouncing t and k alternately, esp. in playing rapid passages or staccato notes on a brass instrument." (1)
Double tonguing is like tonguing a note and then saying "kuh" into your flute.
To practice double and triple tonguing, play a scale on eighth or sixteenth notes. Use a metronome to keep yourself steady.
"To interrupt the wind flow by moving the tongue as if pronouncing t and t and k successively, esp. in playing rapid passages or staccato notes on a brass instrument." (1)
Triple tonguing is pretty much the same thing as double tonguing, just a different pattern of T's and K's
(1)definitions from dictionary.com
Vote: Do You Play Flute?
Loading poll. Please Wait...
Flute Books On Amazon
Link: My Flute Experiences.
- My Flute Experiences
- Want to read about my flute experiences? Click the link above this, and you can read about everything I've done with the flute.
Vote: What Is Your Favorite Flute Articulation? (Style)
Loading poll. Please Wait...
Donations To Wildlife SOS
Every Donation Counts!
Wildlife SOS was created by a group of committed individuals who believe that it is not too late to help and save wildlife. Wildlife SOS believes that rapid action needs to be taken by every individual in this lifetime to make a change that will conserve
Other Good Articulation Links
- Philharmonia Orchestra: The Sound Exchange: The Orchestra: Instruments: Flute: Articulations
- Discover the flute, the piccolo and bass and alto flutes on these pages. Read about composing for the instrument, listen to extracts by composers including Stravinsky and Debussy, and watch Philharmonia flautists demonstrating various flute techniques; from how to produce a good sound to playing more than one note at a time.
On this page explore the different articulations that can be performed on the flute. - Flute Tips & Tricks
- Flute and Piccolo Tips and Tricks by Kim J. Teal Copyright 2001, 2004 by Kim J. Teal
- Flute - Some Tips on Learning How to Double-Tongue
- Helpful articles written for students. SOME TIPS ON LEARNING HOW TO
DOUBLE-TONGUE ON THE FLUTE
Dr. Constance G. Lane, Professor of Music - Flute
University of South Carolina
Extra Decorations
There are a few other things that you might see in music that aren't articulations. They are just to decorate the music. They are like the decorations on a Christmas tree, and the music is the tree.
1)Trills
Trills look are a tr with a line over the note. To play a trill, you play the note written, and play the next note up according to the key signature. Here's the definition from dictionary.com:
1. to sing or play with a vibratory or quavering effect.
2. Phonetics. to produce (a sound) with a trill.
3. (of birds, insects, etc.) to sing or utter in a succession of rapidly alternating sounds.
Play the note and go up to the next note as many times as you can in the note written.
2)Grace Notes
Grace notes are a quick note just before the note it's tied to. Grace notes are on whatever note it is on the staff. For example, if there was an tiny little note just before a bigger note, you would play that note quickly and play the other note. Here's what dictionary.com defines a grace note as:
1.a note not essential to the harmony or melody, added as an embellishment, esp. an appoggiatura.
2.A musical note, especially an appoggiatura, that is added as an embellishment, and is printed in small type and not counted in rhythm.
3)
These are basically like trills. They differ in the fact that they go up to the next note and come back down to the starting note. It's basically a short trill.
4)Turn
A grace not with 4 notes: the note 1 step above the original note, the original note, the note 1 step lower than the original note, the original note. For example, if a B flat has the indication for a turn, you would play a C, B flat, A, and a B flat.
1)Trills
Trills look are a tr with a line over the note. To play a trill, you play the note written, and play the next note up according to the key signature. Here's the definition from dictionary.com:
1. to sing or play with a vibratory or quavering effect.
2. Phonetics. to produce (a sound) with a trill.
3. (of birds, insects, etc.) to sing or utter in a succession of rapidly alternating sounds.
Play the note and go up to the next note as many times as you can in the note written.
2)Grace Notes
Grace notes are a quick note just before the note it's tied to. Grace notes are on whatever note it is on the staff. For example, if there was an tiny little note just before a bigger note, you would play that note quickly and play the other note. Here's what dictionary.com defines a grace note as:
1.a note not essential to the harmony or melody, added as an embellishment, esp. an appoggiatura.
2.A musical note, especially an appoggiatura, that is added as an embellishment, and is printed in small type and not counted in rhythm.
3)
These are basically like trills. They differ in the fact that they go up to the next note and come back down to the starting note. It's basically a short trill.
4)Turn
A grace not with 4 notes: the note 1 step above the original note, the original note, the note 1 step lower than the original note, the original note. For example, if a B flat has the indication for a turn, you would play a C, B flat, A, and a B flat.
Articulation Totebags
About flutestar123
Flute Articulation On Blogs
- Review: At 50th season's end, Philharmonic has never sounded better
- Robert Pritchard contributed an excellent flute solo in the andantino third movement. The march that ends the Symphonic Metamorphosis made an exciting finale in the hands of the Philharmonic, although within the busy contrapuntal textures of both this ...
- Princeton Symphony Orchestra Celebrates Mother's Day In Impressionistic Style
- An elegant string quartet recurred throughout the piece against harp (played by Barbara Biggers) and clean articulation from the winds and a graceful English horn solo from Nicholas Masterson. Ms. Snider offered some unusual combinations of instruments ...
- The Marylebone Trio Delight Our Reviewer
- Purists may have found these a problem, but there was delightful, sensitive playing throughout in spite of the tempi sometimes leading to rather rushed articulation. The Schubert Allegro that followed was originally written for Violin, Viola and 'Cello ...
- Appreciation - Nyali Singers And Classic Five In Concert
- Of the two least well-known (to me) pieces on the programme, a Concerto by Corrette (played here by two flutes, violin, bassoon and piano) confirmed the justice of this composer's obscurity although performed with commitment by the musicians at this ...
What Do You Think?
Add Comments/ Suggestions Here
Click here to join my fan club
-
-
Dec 9, 2011 @ 5:36 pm | delete
- Thanks for all the info! I've been playing the flute for about eight years now; Love it! Great lens!
-
-
-
susannaduffy
Dec 5, 2009 @ 3:42 pm | delete
- Beautifully done. A must read for the flute enthusiast. Blessed, and featured, by a Christmas Angel (squidoo.com/angel-christmas)
-
-
-
nightbear
Dec 1, 2008 @ 9:07 pm | delete
- Again, I have learned a lot. I am not a musical person and yet this is interesting.
-
-
-
sandyspider
Nov 24, 2008 @ 1:54 pm | delete
- My mom made me play the clarinet because she didn't like the way the flute sounded. But when I was in 7th grade, I took a summer course. I was almost twice the age of everyone else.
-
-
-
Lexi Nov 23, 2008 @ 12:44 pm | delete
- Wish this lens had been around when my daughter took up the flute...
-
- Load More
by flutestar123
Hi my name is Alexis. I am a flute enthusiast, I love the flute because I love how it sounds. I have been playing the flute ever since I was in 3rd grade.... more »
- 6 featured lenses
- Winner of 8 trophies!
- Top lens » All About The Piccolo
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
Explore related pages
- Modern Throw Pillows Modern Throw Pillows
- Decorating with Balloons Decorating with Balloons
- Tie Knitting Patterns Tie Knitting Patterns
- How To Tie & Wear Sarongs How To Tie & Wear Sarongs
- Musical Instruments for Kids Musical Instruments for Kids
- Own The Official How I Met Your Mother Ducky Tie Own The Official How I Met Your Mother Ducky Tie
Read About Marching Band From My Marching Band Blog
