Vibrato
An undulation in pitch, that may be notated with a verbal instruction
or a wavy line:
Vibrato is integral to flute technique,
but can also be specifically notated as a special effect.
Vibrato on the flute:
Vibrato on the piccolo:
Vibrato as a special effect:
Glissando
A slide in pitch between notes. Very limited on all flutes. The total
absence of key holes on the piccolo, and the limited key holes on the
flute, mean that lipping is the usual way to alter pitch. A glissando
over a perfect fifth would be executed as a very fast chromatic scale.
Harmonic
Produced by fingering a fundamental low note, then using keys or embouchure
to produce partials.
Harmonics
begin on sounding G5 (written C5) on the flute and sounding A6 (written
D5) on the piccolo. Anything below these pitches is a normal note on
the instrument.
Harmonics on the flute:
Harmonics on the piccolo:
Tuning harmonics:
Tremolo or "Shake"
Tremolos on flute and piccolo
A trill between two notes more than a tone apart. Low
down on the flute, tremolos do not work so well because
of the large number of keys to depress. This is especially
true of shakes on a bottom C. However, a rubber band can
be applied to the C-key to make these possible, as is demonstrated
in this video clip:
Shakes:
Trills
Trills on flute and piccolo
A rapid alternation between two pitches. The notation above, read
in treble clef, shows a minor trill followed by a major trill,
indicated by accidentals over the note. If these are not given,
players will choose trill type based on musical context. The
wavy lines indicating duration of trill are also optional.
Low C to C# trills are so difficult as to be impossible. Timbral
trills are trills on a single note, using different fingerings.
These are only possible above the point at which harmonics are
used (i.e. sounding G5 (written C5) on the flute and sounding
A6 (written D5) on the piccolo.
Timbral trills: