an online community for flutists.

Tonguing advice?

So im working on this solo called Partita in A minor by Bach. I have my fingrrs up to dpeed, but can't quite figure out how I should go about the tonguing. I need some advice on what type of tonguing I should use.

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Valeria Zaurino on November 15, 2011 at 11:56am

You should use a soft tonguing, like pronuncing the syllable "da", "du" (pronunced "do") or "di" (pronunced "dee"). The syllable "di" works better on the higher notes, because the tongue is closer to the teeth.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joshua Weinberg on November 15, 2011 at 12:35pm

The most important part of tonguing is the air stream, and what you do with it.

For a piece like Bach that has many sixteenth note passages, you will want a constant stream of air going through the flute, and the tongue should only be interrupting that stream. A simple double tongue (Ta-ka-ta-ka or Du-gu-du-gu) should help you if single tonging is too difficult at the speed at which you take the piece. Just be aware of your air stream, keeping it steady and constant.

Cheers!

Joshua