Help on multiphonics and quartertones

twiggy208 · Post by **twiggy208** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 4:08 pm

Hi I have to compose a piece for flute for my exams this year and have been set a challenge by my teacher to create an experimental piece, so using multiphonics, quartertones, fluttertonguing etc

I'm really excited to be able to do this, but I'm not sure on how to play these techniques on my flute as it is closed hole with no extra 'things' attached to it. Would really appreciate any help on how to do multiphonics and quartertones etc

Also..I've heard fluttertonguing isnt so hard once you get the hang of it, I just can't roll my tongue very well - does anyone also have ideas on how i could practise this or any other strange techniques I could throw in??

Thanks, Sacra x

Zevang · Post by **Zevang** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 2:49 pm

Flutter can be done in two different ways.
You may pronounce the "RRRRR" in a russian way using the tipo of your tongue, or you may pronounce "HHHHH" in a french way, using your throat. Both work fine, once you practice well.
Multitones can be searched through the Google. You may find many sites describing this subject. I don't use them, but it's a matter of finding mixed positions and blowing in some way that the flute produces two or more sounds together.
Quarter tones are easier in open hole flutes, but not impossible in close ones. Again you will probably have to work on different positions of the keys to obtain the effect.
Research is the key, since not all flutes produce the same effects using the same positions.