Hi

Just wondering if anyone had any tips on learning to flutter tongue on the flute because i'm having lots of trouble. LOTS. i can only roll my r's for about a millionth of a second lol

Sarah

I keep looking to see if anyone's been able to help you - I'm not sure I can! I play recorder, and the embouchure is different, but the amount of breath pressure must be fairly similar, I think.
Can you blow raspberries? Really sloppy ones? Try blowing a few, then bring your tongue inside your mouth and blow them there. It's a different feel from rolling an R. The amount of breath needed to get an inside-the-mouth raspberry is about what I need to get a note from my recorder.
I'm having trouble describing this because I never had any trouble with flutter-tonguing. Double-tonguing, now that's a different story...

I learnt Just to keep on at rolling the r's, and then gradually building up the length of the r's. It took me quite a long time to get it, but now that I have got it, it is no problem!

I have no idea, luckily im only doing grade 4 pieces at the moment cos i can't even roll my r's. Me, a flautist mate and our flautist music teacher did discover a good alternative the other lunchtime. Just laugh while you're playing - you get the same kinda effect!!!

I still can't flutter tongue... probably because i can't roll my r's either!!! Maybe there's some kind of genetic link with it, similarly to rolling your tongue!

With great difficulty!

I can't roll my r's either (just another genetic defect....let's not mention the others right now....) but I can flutter tongue in my throat - similar to a French 'r'. Try it! Bag x

i cant roll my r's either, but i can flutter tongue (ish!) There are two ways of doing it, you can roll your r's at the front of your mouth, or you can do the "french r" at the back of your throat, i don't think it gives as clear a flutter, but it still works!!

edit: oops, didn't see what bagpuss said!!