 Description
Vibrato is a slight undulation in pitch. It can also be a variation in intensity of sound. Either way the effect is of a sound that 'wobbles' slightly.
Notation
Written instruction in the music - Vib. or Vibrato. Sometimes with a wavy line just after the note.
Comments
Vibrato is integral to flute technique, but can also be specifically notated as a special effect. For example, if a composer wants lots of vibrato, they may write Molto Vib. or if a plain sound is required, Non Vib.
clip 1 - Vibrato on the flute.
clip 2 - Vibrato on the piccolo.
clip 3 - Vibrato as a special effect.
 Description
A slide in pitch between notes.
Notation
The beginning and end note of the glissando are written and connected by either a straight or a wavy line. Usually the word gliss or glissando will be written above.
Comments
The possibilities are very limited on all flutes. The total absence of key holes on the piccolo, and the limited key holes on the flute, mean that 'lipping' is the usual way to alter pitch. This would involve altering the embouchure or rotating the headjoint slightly and only achieves a glissando over a small distance. A glissando over a perfect fifth would be executed as a very fast chromatic scale.
 Description
Produced by fingering a fundamental low note, then using keys or embouchure to produce partials.
Notation
Written as a small 'o' over the notehead.
Comments
Harmonics begin on sounding G5 (written C5) on the flute and sounding A6 (written D5) on the piccolo. Anything below these pitches is a normal note on the instrument.
clip 1 - Harmonics on the flute.
clip 2 - Harmonics on the piccolo.
clip 3 - Tuning harmonics.
 Description
A trill or rapid alternation between two notes more than a tone apart.
Notation
Thick slanting lines between two notes. The tremolo shown on the left lasts for one beat.
Comments
Low down on the flute, tremolos do not work so well because of the large number of keys to depress. This is especially true of shakes on a bottom C. However, a rubber band can be applied to the C-key to make these possible, as is demonstrated in the video clip.
clip 1 - Shakes.
clip 2 - Shakes - elastic band-assisted!...
 Description
A rapid alternation between two pitches - either a tone or a semitone apart.
Notation
The example shows a minor trill followed by a major trill, indicated by accidentals over the note. If these are not given, players will choose a trill type based on musical context. Wavy lines to indicate the duration of a trill are optional.
Comments
On the flute, low C to C# trills are so difficult as to be impossible.
'Timbral trills' are trills on a single note, using different fingerings. These are only possible above the point at which harmonics are used (i.e. sounding G5 (written C5) on the flute and sounding A6 (written D5) on the piccolo.
clip 1 - Timbral trills. |
