A holistic approach to flute vibrato

Guido Petter Scur

About this exposition

This research aims to explore one of the most controversial topics in flute playing: vibrato. For centuries, this subject has been the source of frequent disagreements, with unforgiving diatribes at one side and fervent supporters at the other. The nature of these disputes isn’t always clear and one often gets tangled up in their semantic chaos. As an example, Paul Taffanel (1844-1908) stated in his Méthode that ‘vibrato is an artifice used by inferior musicians’. It is difficult to understand what exactly he meant by that remark when the recordings of his pupils clearly show a predilection for that sort of tone quality. An integrated approach to tone production and body awareness is employed to investigate this matter. Chapter I provides a historical and stylistic frame of reference; Chapter II is dedicated to breathing; Chapter III introduces a technical device for tone production that relies on the propositions put forth in the previous chapters. The ultimate goal of this research is to suggest ways of mastering the subjective qualities of flute playing through objective technical control.

type	research exposition
keywords	Instruments and Techniques, flute, vibrato, breathing, historically informed performance
date	20/02/2022
published	11/07/2022
last modified	11/07/2022
status	limited publication
copyright	Guido Petter Scur
license	CC BY-NC-ND
language	English
url	https://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/1429931/1548203
published in	KC Research Portal
portal issue	3. Internal publication

name	P. Gaubert - Pastorale
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name	M. Moyse - Serenade by Drigo
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name	P. Gaubert - Madrigal (1919)
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name	no. 1
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name	no. 1
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name	no. 4
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name	no. 5
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name	ascending octave
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name	no. 6
copyright	GS
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name	descending octave without ending
copyright	GS
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name	descending octave with ending
copyright	GS
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name	no. 7
copyright	GS
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name	no. 8
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name	long diminuendo
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name	cresc and dim
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name	no. 9
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name	no. 10
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name	no. 11
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name	senza vib
copyright	GS
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name	no. 13
copyright	GS
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name	defective vib
copyright	GS
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A holistic approach to flute vibrato (2022)

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