Extended Techniques for the Flute: Why Bother?

Extended Techniques are (to oversimplify) ways of playing your instrument that are unconventional.

For flutists they tend to be multiphonics (playing two notes at the same time or playing + singing two notes at the same time), harmonics (overblowing a traditional fingering to get higher pitches that have a different sound than their traditional fingerings create), key slaps that create a percussion effect, beat-boxing, flutter tongue, whistle tones, etc....  Many more extended techniques exist, but usually flutists will start with one of these.

Aside from the new sound opportunities, extended techniques give flutists exciting ways to develop embouchure flexibility and breath control.

If you are trying to learn extended techniques without a teacher, it can be more difficult to begin.  Here are some resources you may find useful when you get started:

• Flute Music by Robert Dick - A Pioneer of Extended Flute Techniques.  These are fantastic for advanced flutists.  His Tone Development book is a must have item to start your journey.
  
• Extended Techniques: Double the Fun! by Phyllis Avidan Louke  This small collection of duets is perfect for a flutist who is at an intermediate to advanced level.  If your teacher has experience with extended techniques these duets allow you to play together in your lessons or try some new things with your friends.  I use these duets with my middle and high school flutists regularly as a "first taste" for extended technique practice.
  
• Tuberama by I. Clarke and S. Painter  This solo with CD accompaniment is a lot of fun if you want to try some extended techniques that really cross over into the rock genre.  Bonus points for dressing the part!
• Papierbluten by Ulrich Gasser  This collection of etudes combines extended techniques with advanced rhythms to give flutists a real workout for modern flute pieces that do both.  I keep one of these etudes in my practice rotation regularly.
  

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