[dylanroebuck]

I've been working on it. I can do it for a little bit but not for more than a few seconds.

 

[A.Smith]

Biggest thing people forget to do when flutter tonguing is to push good air. This is probably why you can't do it for more than a few seconds. Remember without a decent airflow we have nothing.

 

[Honeyboy]

Practice will get you your results. Also, relax and let that tongue flap!!! Also play around with the shape inside your mouth. Practice making that motor noise with your tongue without playing the sax .

 

[qwerty]

I believe the ability or inability to roll one's R's (fluttertongue) is genetic. For some people it is a physical impossibility.

Steve

 

[hakukani]

I believe the ability or inability to roll one's R's (fluttertongue) is genetic. For some people it is a physical impossibility.

Steve

It took awhile, but I learned to do it.

Also, there are two techniques of fluttertongue. One is done with the tongue tip. The other is the 'French' R, where the flutter is done between the tongue arch and the soft pallette. The latter works better on sax, IMO.

 

[Martinman]

It took awhile, but I learned to do it.

Also, there are two techniques of fluttertongue. One is done with the tongue tip. The other is the 'French' R, where the flutter is done between the tongue arch and the soft pallette. The latter works better on sax, IMO.

Both statements hold true for me too.

 

[Rackety Sax]

Practice on the mouthpiece alone.

It's the solution to all sax difficulties.

 

[hakukani]

I always practice alone...

 

[Reedsplinter]

If you're practicing flutter tonguing you'd BETTER shed alone!

 

[Neil Sharpe]

Here's John Laughter's excellent article on the Flutter Tongue
http://www.saxontheweb.net/Rock_n_Roll/FlutterTongue.html

 

[Rackety Sax]

I always practice alone...

You and Woody Allen (reference is to a line in Love and Death).

 

[Reedsplinter]

You and Woody Allen (reference is to a line in Love and Death).

Somehow this reminds me of another Woody Allen line: "I don't mind dying, I just don't want to be there when it happens."

 

[ianhart]

I know a fellow sax major here that has trouble flutter tonguing with the tip of the tongue, but has learned how to flutter tongue with the soft palate method described by hakukani. If you want to learn the other way, all I can say is practice the "rrrrrrruffles have rrrrrridges" theme. With patience, it will come to you.

 

[eidollon]

The other is the 'French' R, where the flutter is done between the tongue arch and the soft pallette. The latter works better on sax, IMO.

I am french ... so that is what I am doing naturally Anyway flutter tongue works quite well for me though I never really worked it (double-tonguing is another story, quite a different motion ...).

When you are away from your gear practise with the thumb in you mouth. Take care of the distance between your rolling tongue and the thumb. It may be very closed to but should not touch it. You may feel it "coming" better that way better than with the mpc.

 

[JL]

Curiously enough flutter tonguing has always been easy for me, but I just can't get the "sing-a-long" growl technique. So I've worked on increasing the speed of the flutter tongue and making it more subtle so it approaches the growl. I think the real secret to any of these special effects is not to overuse them. So it really stands out when you do use it.

 

[Chris S]

Keep it clean gentlemen.

 

[jrvinson45]

In response to Dylan's original post...

Yes, Dylan. Flutter tonguing is possible. As you get older you may find that there are other things in life that you can do longer with practice. Flutter tonguing is just one of them.

 

[jrvinson45]

Yes, Dylan. Flutter tonguing is possible. As you get older you may find that there are other things in life that you can do longer with practice. Flutter tonguing is just one of them.

For instance, treading water comes to mind.

 

[hakukani]

For instance, treading water comes to mind.

I don't have to practice treading water. I'm much more naturally buoyant than when I was younger.

Yes, you French guys have the advantage. My French teacher was most impressed with my accent and pronunciation. It's the verbs that did me in.