Am I a bad flute player?

Question

Okay I don't know how to flutter tonuge and I have been playing for almost four years is that a bad thing? And can anyone explain how to do it because I really want to play good but I don't feel like a good player. I also listen to a lot of John William's music and I hope to be that good of a player but I am kind of doubtful. How do I get that good? Do I have to get a private teacher to be that good?

Answer 1

Definitely take lessons. I HIGHLY recommend it. Your teacher will help you out in more ways than you ever imagined. In my experience of playing flute, you should be able to know how to flutter tongue.

Answer 2

Playing flute is like playing a violin it takes practice to be good. I have been playing for 6 years yet with each mistake, I constantly  attack myself with insults and various explorations of self doubt, I'm sure by all means you are a great Flute player , you just have to trust in your abilities- it will come to you just like it came to  John William , The private tutors and teachers - they're just there for supervision , they'll tell you how but they certainly wont teach you how to do it ,  you have to engage your own self in that concept unfortuently - so give it time, try various musics, I would suggest the hard ones where there are many notes to play in littlest time so tongue twirling is mandatory and will simply shoot out of you lol .... Goodluck!! :D

Answer 3

The flute is kind of something I think you grow into.  You just have to keep practicing your @$$ off until you feel better about your playing.  Private teachers can help, but can be pricey.  You decide what you need, but truthfully you can get very good all on your own.  Just practice an hour a night the things you know you are having trouble with.

Answer 4

Hello Stefani.

Here is where I must ask.   "How much music do you find you need flutter tonguing for????

I have been teaching for 20 years and though I know how to flutter tongue and know how to teach it....     I have never thought one of my All State Flute Players were disadvantaged because they did not flutter tongue.    Who has been talking to you that you feel you are a bad player because you can't flutter tongue.  These are the MUST HAVE flute skills:

Single Tongue

Double Tongue

Triple Tongue

Vibrato

Nuance Skills

Dynamic Skills

Breath Endurance



I know there is whistle tones and singing into the flute and circular breathing... but those things are minor techniques more fun than useful.   I would not be down on your playing or talent because of something that silly.  You need to worry about your scales / chromatics / articulations / high  - middle - and low register tone studies / sight reading...not flutter tonguing.    

Now how to flutter tongue?   You roll your tongue, as speaking the Spanish language...  The Spanish roll the R's.  To be honest with you ....  physically, there are some people whose tongues cannot roll R's.  That said... put your flute to your mouth and roll your tongue while blowing into the embouchure hole.    If you can do it,  it will not be strong,  but with practice you can improve.  Hope that helps.

Sincerely,

RJS 1121 - Flute Teacher 20 years.

Answer 5

No, you are not a bad flute player!!! Flutter tonguing is much easier to do if you have the genetic trait of being able to roll your tongue.  By "roll" your tongue, I mean you can make your tongue vibrate quickly against your teeth by blowing a fast stream of air.  You probably know whether or not you can do this.  If you can, then to flutter tongue, you need to roll your tongue, then make the flute embouchure and blow into the flute.  It should happen pretty naturally.  If you can't roll your tongue, then the "flutter tongue" actually must be produced by making a guttural "growling" type sound in your throat (sounds kind of like you're clearing your throat) while blowing.  This technique is much more difficult to master and may take some instruction from someone who has to do it.  I wish you luck with your flute playing, and keep listening to recordings!!

Answer 6

just keep on playing and dont give up!