In this section on articulation, you'll learn how to develop your single, double, and triple tonguing technique on the flute — an essential skill for musical expression. We offer video lessons and a variety of materials to support your progress in an efficient and enjoyable way.

Once you're familiar with producing sound on the flute, it's important to learn the technique of tonguing.

Tonguing is a technique that uses the tongue like a valve to interrupt and release the airflow into the flute, and it's essential for musical expression. This tongue movement can be compared to the function of a water faucet: when the faucet is closed, the flow is stopped and water builds up in the pipes. When the faucet is opened, the flow is released and the initial pressure is higher due to the accumulated water — which is why water often splashes out at first.

Phase 1: In the first phase, the tongue is at rest and air flows toward the flute.

Phase 2: In the second phase, the tongue moves gently, and the tip touches the inner surface of the upper teeth, as if pronouncing the syllable “T.”

Phase 3: In the third phase, the tongue returns to its resting position, and the accumulated air — along with the continuous airflow from the throat — is released toward the flute, producing a clear attack.

It’s important to remember that the role of the tongue in tonguing is simply to stop and release the flow of air. So, the movement should not be forced, but rather soft, light, and flexible. The tongue should make quick, small, and gentle motions. In addition to using the “T” syllable, you can also use “D” for a softer articulation.

 Here is a selection of studies that can be used to practice single articulation on the flute.

These exercises are designed to help you develop control, precision, and flexibility in your tonguing. Regular practice will improve your tone clarity and response, which are essential for musical phrasing and expression.

Practicing studies with a focus on articulation using repeated notes is highly effective. It helps build consistency, precision, and strength in your tonguing technique.

Below is a brief selection of exercises to support your articulation practice with repeated notes.

Practicing melodic etudes with a focus on single articulation is both highly effective and musically enjoyable. These etudes naturally incorporate articulation patterns that help refine clarity, phrasing, and control.

Below is a brief selection of melodic etudes for your articulation practice.

1. Articulações de Mascolo, 17 Estudos para Flauta Transversal - Apenas Estudos de Articulações

2. Exercise for the study of Single Tonguing by Hoyos 

3. Articulações de Drouet, 72 Estudos para flauta - Apenas Estudos de Articulações

4. Articulações de Gariboldi, 20 Studies for flute, Op 132

5. Articulações de Andersen, 18 Etudes for Flute, Opus 41

6. Articulações de Gariboldi, Exercices Journaliers pour Flute, Opus 89

7. Articulações de Andersen, 26 pequenos caprichos, Opus 37

8. Articulações de Nikolai Platonov, 30 Studies for solo Flute

9. Articulações de Taffanel & Gaubert - 24 estudos progressivos 

10. For a Shining Sound por Gastar Hoyos 

11. Encontrando sua voz por Gaspar Hoyos (To make articulated)

12. Estudio bailao by Gaspar Hoyos (To make articulated)

13. Articulações de Hughes, 24 Studies for flute, op32 and 75

14. Articulações de Köhler, 25 Romantic Studies op. 66

15. Consequence Study by Hoyos

Single tonguing is not efficient for fast musical passages, so it's necessary to use a different type of articulation known as double tonguing.

Double tonguing works by alternating the syllables "De-Gue", "De-Gue", allowing the tongue to quickly articulate two notes — one with the tip of the tongue ("De") and the other toward the back of the tongue ("Gue") — through small, light, and quick movements.

The main challenge with double tonguing is synchronizing the articulation with the notes, and achieving equal quality and clarity between both syllables, "De" and "Gue."

In the beginning, the "Gue" syllable often sounds hollow or weak. For this reason, it's important to practice double tonguing exercises slowly, with a focus on developing strength, coordination, and a clear, full tone especially for the "Gue" syllable.

In addition to "De-Gue," other commonly used syllables include "Te-Ke," "Tu-Ku," and "Du-Gu" — each offering slightly different articulation qualities. Choose the one that best fits your playing style and musical needs.

Below is a selection of studies for developing your double tonguing articulation:

Practicing with an emphasis on repeated notes is a highly effective way to strengthen and refine your articulation technique.

Below is a brief selection of exercises using repeated notes to support your development in double tonguing.

1. For a Shining Sound por Gastar Hoyos 

2. For the détaché expressiff by Hoyos

3. Bouncing Articulation 2024 by Hoyos

Practicing melodic etudes with a focus on double and triple articulation is both highly effective and musically enjoyable. These etudes naturally incorporate articulation patterns that help you improve clarity, control, and fluency in fast passages.

Below is a brief selection of melodic etudes to support your study of double and triple tonguing.

1. Articulações de Mascolo, 17 Estudos para Flauta Transversal

2. Saust, 83 curtos estudos de articulações

3. Dressler, Estudos de Articulações 

4. Articulações de Drouet, 72 Estudos para flauta - Apenas Estudos de Articulações

5. Articulações de Gariboldi, 20 Studies for flute, Op 132 - Apenas Estudos de Articulações

6. Articulações de Andersen, 18 Etudes for Flute, Opus 41 - Apenas Estudos de Articulações

7. Articulações de Gariboldi, Exercices Journaliers pour Flute, Opus 89 - Apenas Estudos de Articulações

8. Articulações de Andersen, 26 pequenos caprichos, Opus 37

9. Articulações de Nikolai Platonov, 30 Studies for solo Flute

10. Articulações de Andersen, 24 Etudes for Flute, Opus 15

11. Articulações de Taffanel & Gaubert - 24 estudos progressivos 

12. For a Shining Sound por Gastar Hoyos 

13. Encontrando sua voz por Gaspar Hoyos (To make articulated)

14. Estudio bailao by Gaspar Hoyos (To make articulated)

15. Articulações de Hughes, 24 Studies for flute, op32 and 75 

16. Consequence Study by Hoyos

17. Articulações de Köhler, 25 Romantic Studies op. 66

18. Articulações de Gariboldi, Grands Exercices Op.139

19. Articulações de Boehm, 24 Melodious Studies, Op.37

20. Articulações de Köhler, 15 Easy Exercises for flute, Opus 33 - Book 1

21. Articulações de Boehm, 24 Caprices for Flute, Op. 26

22. Articulações de Kohler, Etudes d’expression for flute, Op.89

23. Articulações de Altes, 26 Estudos para flauta

24. Articulações de Taffanel & Gaubert, 12 Grandes Estudos Virtuosos

Scales are also an important tool for practicing articulation. Most scales require a variety of articulation patterns, and it’s not possible to master them all at once.

You can practice each articulation separately, respecting the unique rhythm and style of each one. With consistent practice, you will gradually overcome the challenges specific to each articulation type.

Triple tonguing is a technique that combines single and double tonguing, used for executing fast triplet rhythms with clarity and speed.

Below, you’ll find an example and a few exercises to help you develop and refine this technique.

Below is a selection of studies to support the development of your triple tonguing technique.

Practicing regularly with focused exercises will help improve your speed, precision, and clarity when playing fast triplet-based passages. Pay close attention to the evenness between the syllables (e.g., “De-Gue-De”, “Tu-Ku-Tu”), ensuring consistent tone and articulation throughout.

Practicing articulation with repeated notes is highly effective for developing precision, control, and clarity in your tonguing.

Below is a brief selection of exercises focusing on repeated notes, specifically designed to enhance your triple tonguing skills.

Practicing melodic etudes with a focus on double and triple articulation is both highly effective and musically enjoyable. These etudes naturally include articulation patterns that help develop speed, clarity, and musical phrasing.

Below is a brief selection of etudes specifically chosen to support your practice of triple tonguing.

1. Saust, 83 curtos estudos de articulações Tripla

2. Dressler, Estudos de Articulações Tripla

3. Articulações Tripla de Nikolai Platonov, 30 Studies for solo Flute

4. Articulações Tripla de Boehm, 24 Melodious Studies, Op.37

5. Articulações Tripla de Moyse, 24 études Journalier (Op-53) Soussman

6. Articulações Tripla de Gariboldi, Grands Exercices Op.139

7. Articulações Tripla de Hughes, 24 Studies for flute, op32 and 75

8. Articulações Tripla de Taffanel & Gaubert, 12 Grandes Estudos Virtuosos

9. Articulações Tripla de Altes, 26 Estudos para flauta