Notation
Various notations are used to indicate tongue stop/ram. Always check the appendix of a piece to be sure what a composer means by the notation.
Option 1:
Option 2:
Option 3:
Because the sound is a seventh lower (except for the piccolo), some composers use a double notation system:
The diamond-shaped note head indicates which fingering to use.
The arrow-shaped note head indicates the desired sound.
Those two combined look like this:
Piccolo - alto flute - bass flute
This technique can be used on all flutes.
– Piccolo: weak, sounds a minor ninth lower than fingered tone.
– C-flute: weak, sounds a major seventh lower than fingered tone.
– Alto flute: very suited for this effect, sounds a major seventh lower than fingered tone.
– Bass flute: very suited for this effect, sounds a minor seventh lower than fingered tone.
Composer information
This technique can easily be realized as a separate technique. It becomes more difficult in fast passages, in long passages and when alternated with traditional sound.
This technique only works in the first octave of the flute.
Flute players
Studying tongue stop/ram on the flute is useful for:
– Coordination tongue and abdomen
– Exending your pallet
Example
This Flute Colors arrangement includes tongue stops.
