Flutter tonguing on clarinet?

Question

My high school wind ensemble is playing Music for Prague, and in one of the movements we have to flutter tongue. I can already roll my tongue when I'm not playing clarinet, but I can't seem to do it when I am playing. One website I went to suggested clearing your throat while playing, but the tone doesn't sound very good. The note we have to flutter tongue is 4th space E, and we have to hold it out for a few measures.

Answer 1

I've been playing for 20 years, I can flutter tongue without an instrument in my mouth, but I'm damned if I can do it on the clarinet.  I don't know why, I've tried time and time again, talked to various other players and teachers about it, and never been able to do it!  I can do it on recorder, but not clarinet...

Answer 2

Flutter tongue on clarinet is indeed quite difficult.

You must know that there are two ways to roll your tongue. You can do it with the tip of your tongue or with the back of your tongue (almost in your throat). The second one is easier when you play it on clarinet, while there is less chance that you touch the reed. When you touch the reed is stops vibrating and the flutter tongue stops too.

Once you know this you can start practicing. Tried to find a note on which you manage to do the flutter tongue (for me it was E on the first line), because the one you have the play in that piece is not the easiest one.

So, try to practice this flutter on as many notes as possible and hopefully you can manage. I can say that it worked for me, I once played a flutter on B flat above the line (can't do it twice in a row, but working on it).

Good luck.

Answer 3

start by flutter tonguing without your instrument in your mouth. then try putting your instrument in your mouth and doing it again. if you need to, start with your mouth just barely on the instrument. this helped for me, but i dont know if it would help anyone else. and as for the tone being bad, try using more air and support. good luck :)