Hello Folks,
Quick Question (QQ). I know that “Tuh-ing” with the tongue is frowned upon, but what about “Puh-ing”.
By “Puh” I mean a sorta pursed lip, restrict/release air blast.
I seem to used it (somewhat unconsciously) as a confidence booster for register jumps rather than as an articulation.
Any insights into the “Puh-ing” thing.
Thanks,
Byron
Probably not.
AS far as I know this is what you are supposed to do instead of tounging (I got that from the M & E flutes website). You can also use this where you would use a cut, for dynamics which is not something that is common in ITM, or to accent notes like in Egan’s Polka for example it is a bad whistle tune because the first note is higher there fore louder/more accented as opposed to the accented style of a polka which the second note is the accented what I am trying to say is it makes it sound like a reel. 
Ok,
Thanks guys,
I’ll recheck The M&E site and see where I missed that.
I’ve read most flute sites and the only description close to what I’m experiencing was from Eric “The Flutemakers” bamboo page with what he called, “spittting watermelon seeds”. My “Puh” is infinately more subtle than that.
But, after some thought, I’ve decided anything I’m doing without intending to is probably a crutch and needs some attention/investigation.
Thanks Again,
Byron
I’ve been studying with teachers, etc.
There appear to be two standard ways of doing this:
glottal stops and, maybe less standard, tonguing.
I learned glottal stops and then went to a teacher
who said that tonguing was fine, much to my relief.
Now I use both. The puhing stuff I know nothing
of as a technique on the Irish flute. I used
to do it many years ago when I picked up
Boehm flute in India and had no training;
used it as a crutch. I have, therefore,
a negative view, but maybe somebody
more experienced can add something.
Meanwhile I suggest you tongue or
use glottals, FWIW.
Best
Jim,
I use glottal when I’m doing it on purpose and the very fact that this (puh-ing) was unintentional caused me to question.
However, it has taught me that I have control over sections of my lips that I’d never even thought of before. Not only amazing, but also handy(for flutists).
Thanks,
Byron
Isn’t there also a “huffing” style to break notes? It seems IIRC like it’s something to do with working the diaphram that I saw in some flute tutoral.
It is definitely a technique, quite effective, to
start a note simply by blowing.
And one can blow harder and use pulses of breath
in a phrase, otherwise unarticulated, to create
lift and rhythm. Good stuff.
Huffing style is good but I find it annoying subsitituting it for cuts which I tonge any way for the record.
Where can you get one of these tonge thingies and how does it work on a flute? It sounds more appropriate to use with a grille… 
I was taught to use “puh” (starting the note with the lips) very sparingly on Boehm-system flute, mainly when starting very soft notes in the 3rd octave, when even a very soft tongue attack can be too strong an entrance.
I’ve never tried it on Irish flute, but I don’t think I could use it at speed for articulation with any kind of accuracy.
–James
Yes James!
That’s the maneuver I’m talking about (except I’m only going to the second octave). Very subtle, not an articulation but an extreme over tightening of the air stream to ensure I get the note I want.
Only, I’ve been doing it out of a lack of confidence..hence it is now labeled “Crutch” until I can use it purposely( and with confidence).
Everytime I use one now I stop and ask why I did it. Did I really need it or was I just being lazy.
Thanks everyone.
Byron
Hmm.. to change octaves, I pull my chin in slightly and narrow the slit in my lips very slightly.
I don’t know if this is the proper way as I have never had a lesson, but I blow more down into the hole rather than across it (lips as close to the far edge of the blow hole as I can get it to sound) as it gives it that “edgy” or “reedy” tone I so like about the good players of which I am not one.
If I can play a two tune set through without losing the edge or falling down, I consider myself lucky.
The darn flute takes a different mouth shape for each note it seems.
When I pick mine up after a long time with no practice (seldom pick it up), after a few long tones, I get dizzy.
I think it takes more practice than the UPs (but a lot less fussing around with it to get started) to play well.
Can I do this . . . should I do that . . . is it legal? . . .
Will James said, “If it works, use it!”. BillG says, “If it sounds good and comes naturally to you, do it!”.
I used to get a little crazy reading so many boards, sites and posts worrying if what I was doing was OK. OK with who? If it works, if it sounds good, if it comes easily and naturally, use it!
BillG