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Claremont Graduate University

The Evolution of Flute Articulation from the Baroque to the Present: Changes in Flute Construction and Design and Design and Articulation Techniques for the Playing of the Instrument

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>The technique of articulation is not static and it is essential to the art of flute playing. It is currently and always evolving. This entire nature of performance practice has widened and become more sophisticated. The ambiguity of articulation has now been replaced by a highly managed approach by composers. In the Baroque the choice of how to articulate a certain passage in flute music was left up to the performer’s discretion. Modern professional flute players are expected by flute teachers and called upon by major orchestras and music conservatories around the world to be able to play all extended articulation techniques. These extended techniques in articulation include singing while playing, speaking while playing, harmonics, and whistle tones. It is difficult to see visually how the tongue is used while playing the flute and this makes it hard to understand at times the importance of the tongue and articulation in flute playing. Air does not always move freely through the body of the flute. It is manipulated and dealt with through articulation. The evolution of flute articulation is indispensable to the modern flutist because the tongue is the essence of flute playing.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Music, MA
Level thesis:degree_level
Open Access Master's Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
School of Arts and Humanities
Year dc:date.available
2022

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Robinson, Syrina Elace
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Keren Schweitzer
  • Edward Zeliff

Subjects

dc:subject × 2

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgu_etd/489
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:scholarship.claremont.edu:cgu_etd-1520

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Claremont Graduate University
Base URL
scholarship.claremont.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Robinson, Syrina Elace. The Evolution of Flute Articulation from the Baroque to the Present: Changes in Flute Construction and Design and Design and Articulation Techniques for the Playing of the Instrument. Open Access Master's Thesis thesis, 2022. https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cgu_etd/489