Appendix E
Articulation Reference Guide.
http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/thesoundexchange/the_orchestra/instruments/flutes/articulations/
Nonlegato or 'Tongued'
Description: each individual note
tongued and separated.
'Tonguing'
The technique used by
flute and piccolo players for separating the notes is called 'tonguing'. As the
player blows, the tip of the tongue gently touches the roof of the mouth just
behind the front teeth. This is done by a very quick but gentle movement and
the brief interruption of the airflow creates a slight
separation between the notes.
Staccato
Description: short and separated
notes (all tongued).
Notation: dots above or below the notes.
Comments: Staccato notes can be created by
returning the tip of the tongue to its position just behind the front teeth
very soon after the note has begun, so cutting off the flow of air. In playing
the example shown (left) the movement of the tongue would
be similar to saying, 'tut, tut, tut' whilst blowing.
Staccatissimo
Description: very short
notes.
Literally translated - as short as possible.
Notation: either wedge shapes above the notes as
shown (left) or sometimes ordinary staccato dots are used along with a
written instruction staccatissimo.
Comments: Staccatissimo technique is virtually the
same as staccato. The main difference is that because the note
is very short, players tend to blow a little more air through in
order for the note to 'speak' clearly. This also has the effect of giving the
sound more 'attack'.
Legato Tongued Notes
Description: legato tonguing is very
gentle tonguing - a very slight separation between the notes - almost
legato.
Notation: This notation example shows the two
different types of notation for legato tonguing. The staccato and slur
combination implies a lighter touch like staccato notes that almost join
together, whereas the tenuto and slur combination suggests longer sounds with
only the very gentlest use of the tongue to separate them.
Tenuto
Description: literally 'held' - notes
are tongued, held for the full length and sometimes given a gentle stress.
Notation: short lines above or below
the note.
Comments: The combination of the tenuto line
with the staccato dot (below left) suggests either slightly
shorter notes or that less stress should be given to each one, a
lighter tenuto.
Double & triple tonguing
Description: compound tonguing in
groups of two or three.
Notation: The notation example shown is often used
to indicate double and triple tonguing, but players will often use the
technique to play passages of notes that may be written as ordinary
tongued or staccato notes.
Comments: Double tonguing requires the player
to form syllables with their toungue whilst blowing such as 'ta-ka,
ta-ka, ta-ka' (or possibly 'da-ka') in order to create very rapid
articulation.
Triple tonguing would involve repeating a pattern such
as 'ta-ka-ta' to group notes in threes.
Flutter tonguing
Description: a rolled 'r' tonguing.
Comments: Not all players can do flutter tonguing.
Those that cannot have to 'fake' with a throat flutter that sounds less
effective, more of a rumbling sound than a crisp 'rrrrrrrrrrrr'.