This is a bit of a random post, but I was wondering if anyone had any helpful tips to learn/improve flutter tonguing on the flute? I've never done a great deal of jazz music, but I've started to become interested in some jazz techniques, and this is the first one I've set my sights on. I can roll my tongue and so on, and can flutter tongue to a certain degree, I just have a trouble sustaining it, and it uses a ridiculous amount of air. Is this normal?

Thanks in advance!

It's not easy. We've recently got a piece in my band with it in and the other girls are really struggling with it. I think one of the problems they're having is that they sing when they flutter tongue, and it's more about the air, your flute will make the noise! I think the best advice is to pratcise! Maybe try flutter tonguing up and down scales?

My daughter really finds this skill difficult. I'd be interested in any ideas as to how to practice it too.

i use my throat rather than rolling tongue I find it blocks the air flow. trevor wye books cover it, but I cant remember which one

A challenge for the Easter hols We've got all the Wye books I'll encourage her ot find it in one of them...

The only tips i can try give is to make sure you have a full and steady airflow and that you're not moving your tongue too much/too hard - flutter lightly to make sure the air is still flowing through, otherwise nothing'll come out. Other than that, just practise

The secret, apparently, is to be able to roll your r's!!

Some can, some can't!!!

I can flutter tongue really well., but I cant roll my Rs so.....

There will always be exceptions

I was able to flutter tongue quite naturally from being able to roll my r's but then you need to work on focusing the tone as not to lose the pitch and quality of sound under the flutter.

If you cant roll your R's then try the gargling in the throat. Its not gargling as such where you make noises with the action, you dont want to sound like your trying to get something out of your throat! The sensation is rather like a vibrating throat and oral cavity, with some vibration in the lips. Plenty of support with the air to get most notes, but Ive found this method works best on the low notes.

Just experiment, thats the only way to really find out what works best for you!