Side Flutter Tongue
Hi David,
Are there any lessons on the website that teach the Side-Flutter tongue?
-Taylor
I've gone back over the videos. I can't find anything regarding the side tongue flutter. Maybe my terminology is mixed up. The side tongue flutter is like a really fast tongue switch, right? I've been trying to get it down but some can't find a straight answer online. Some people say it's moving back and forth. Others say it's on and off while you're switching. I know it probably takes a lot of practice to get fast but I'd rather start practicing the right way.
-Taylor
Is this the same as an "octave warble"?
The side flutter is where your tongue goes side to side (left to right), not on and off (that's a standard flutter). There are three common ways to do this...
1) Tongue Switching - 1, then 4, then 1, etc...
2) Same as above, but use more of the tip of the tongue, so you're not covering as many holes. As you move side to side you're getting more of a chordal effect than #1 above (at least two holes are sounding at one time).
3) Leave your tongue in the octave embouchure... blocking the two middle holes with your tongue (holes 2 and 3) and sounding holes 1 and 4. Wiggle your tongue side to side, thus blocking the side you move to and only allowing the hole on the other to sound... this is the way Joe Filisko does it... I can't do it this way.
BTW, Little Walter, Kim Wilson, Joe Filisko and Dennis Gruenling use this type of flutter. The other type (standard flutter) is the most common.
Awesome! Thank you. I've been hearing those guys do it a lot and was wondering how it was done.
-Taylor
I am doing tongue side flutters in acoustic, I have not a mic and an amp yet, but I feel my what I get is not near the sound I hear from the pros using the side flutter.
I think I am doing right and I am wondering if for getting a good side flutter it have to be do it with a mic, Am I wrong?
And,..., Is the side flutter something you have to do at the speed of light or just moderate speed does the job?
The technique will sound different amplified, though it has nothing to do with helping you to do it better... it will help you to match the sound more. Since you know that's what Little Walter and KIm Wilson use you can loop a section where they use it and try to match their sound/speed... slow it down at first and then speed it up as you work on it. Not everyone can do this technique, including myself, this is why I and many others do not use it. So, I'm sorry to say that I can't record any samples for you, I don't do it well. This is one technique that seems to be genetic... either you can get it with practice or not... you just have to try. Mark Hummel has tried for years as well and can't do it. Don't let this stop you from working on it, but I want to make you aware of this.
I know this an old post, but I want to recover it.
I was a little bit frustrated because I can move my tongue sideways very fast but I didn't get a clean sounds at both sides.
Listening songs I discovered that the vast majority of shimmers were done using a 3 holes embouchure not a four one.
I can choose now between a three or four holes embouchure, but I find definitely easier and faster the three one and the sound is equally great.
In classic blues and players that play classic blues the 4 hole version is more common, but if you like the sound of the three-hole version, go for it! Just make sure your top note is the one you're adding the technique to (if you want to turn a 4 into a side-flutter, then play 2/4).
Hmmm... I believe Tongue Blocking Study #3 (Gary's Blues).