[BrianL3661]

Hi, I'm a young player (14) learning the tenor saxophone for a few years now. I've been searching up methods of flutter tonguing/growling effect, and I read that one needs to roll their tongue to make a "rrrrr" sound in the standard technique used for flutter tonguing. I tried it, but I couldn't roll my tongue at all. Then I found a description of a "French" (?) way to make the same effect, by vibrating the soft palate (?), kinda like gurgling. I tried it, and by kind of snorting (? sounds kind of like horrible snoring), I was able to replicate the effect. The problem is that I felt a mild sort of discomfort (Not really pain) in my throat/soft palate after 10 minutes of practicing the effect. This got better after I stopped playing and drank some tea.
My question is, could this practice possibly lead to health problems in my throat if I keep using it in the future?
My other question is, are there other alternative ways to flutter tongue other than this method or the standard method is rolling your tongue? I could learn to growl by humming at the same time, but I never got the hang of it.

Thank you for the replies in advance

 

[kcp]

I do both techniques that you describe and sometimes combine them for a more dramatic effect. I find that the flutter tongue works best when you bite less onto the mouthpiece and tilt the head back a little to allow more room inside of your mouth and so that the tip of your tongue in motion just very lightly touches the tip of the mouthpiece.

The 2nd technique you describe is a growl and is different from the flutter tongue (though some people don’t hear the difference) – Some people describe it as “Gurgling”, but humming a note works as well. Try humming different notes and see what happens. Just don’t scream or you might hurt your vocal cords :bluewink:

As far as discomfort goes, occasionally when growling, the passage between my mouth and nose sometimes opens, either because of fatigue, too much force or I’m not sure what – The result is that air goes out my nose and when that happens the inside of my mouth and throat gets dry quickly. Over a certain period of time (like 2 minutes or +) it makes me feel like I’m choking. The problem gets easilly resolved by drinking water.

So I wouldn’t worry so much if I were you. Your health isn’t in danger. It is just not normal to growl or flutter tongue non-stop. These effects should be used sporadically for greater impact. I understand that you are practicing, so perhaps give yourself more breaks when practicing that, or alternate with other things you need to practice and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Happy blowing

 

[collegestationsax]

Growling is ( at least in my opinion ) much easier than flutter tonguing. Try singing loudly and then replicate that but with a mouthpiece in you mouth as if you were playing. Try to sing a note that is not in good harmony with the pitch you are playing.

 

[BrianL3661]

Thanks for the reply guys!
I'm probably going to practice the technique just a bit more so I can call upon it comfortably during a solo situation. I'll try out the humming/singing technique a bit more though/

 

[SHOZZA]

I've found that more people can Growl than Flutter Tongue, i'm one of those who can't Flutter Tongue. So if what your doing works good for you.

 

[Honeyboy]

Did you ever make a motor noise with your throat and tongue when you played with your toy cars? (Do young people even have toy cars?) If so, do that while you are blowing a note. I don't actually have my tongue touch the reed when I flutter tongue. I'm not consciously trying to roll my tongue, either. I just relax it and let it vibrated quickly on the roof of my mouth. If you run your tongue from behind the top teeth slowly toward the back of your mouth, you'll notice the roof of the mouth caves in towards the top of your skull. Just before it caves in, at the high spot, about 1/2 inch behind your teeth, is where the tip of my tongue vibrates when I flutter tongue. Also, I growl at the same time for added effect.

 

[jazzbluescat]

Growling is kinda important if you're gonna make any real money playing these days. I'll learn and have a growl before, or if I ever come out of retirement.

Did you ever make a motor noise with your throat and tongue when you played with your toy cars? (Do young people even have toy cars?) If so, do that while you are blowing a note. I don't actually have my tongue touch the reed when I flutter tongue. I'm not consciously trying to roll my tongue, either. I just relax it and let it vibrated quickly on the roof of my mouth. If you run your tongue from behind the top teeth slowly toward the back of your mouth, you'll notice the roof of the mouth caves in towards the top of your skull. Just before it caves in, at the high spot, about 1/2 inch behind your teeth, is where the tip of my tongue vibrates when I flutter tongue. Also, I growl at the same time for added effect.

Do you stand on your head while doing all that for extra extra effect?

just kidding

 

[Honeyboy]

Growling is kinda important if you're gonna make any real money playing these days. I'll learn and have a growl before, or if I ever come out of retirement.

Do you stand on your head while doing all that for extra extra effect?

just kidding

No, but on a couple of occasions I laid on my back and played in the middle of the dance floor.

 

[Guest]

I an unable to do the flutter tongue, but I get the growl affect by doing something similar to the second method you mentioned. I do something that feels like humming into the horn while i am blowing a note. I haven't had any problems and I have done it for years. It may just be making your throat a little tender for the strong vibrations. But i don't think any health problems can arise from it. when I have played with rock and jazz bands, there have been times i have used it alot. and I have had no issues.