Terms used to describe flute tone
- Terry McGee
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Terms used to describe flute tone
I'm interested in hearing from people what expressions they use or might use to describe flute tone, good or bad. "Dark", "reedy", "sweet", "loud", and "muffled" would be some examples. What others spring to mind?
Terry
Terry
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Re: Terms used to describe flute tone
My wife once described my tone as “Penetrating”!
She said it would go through walls, ceilings, floors and doors; there was no escaping it!
She said it would go through walls, ceilings, floors and doors; there was no escaping it!
Keep on Tootin!
Jordan
Jordan
- rama
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Re: Terms used to describe flute tone
if you have access, rockstro's treatise contains a concise sprectrum of opposites somewhere buried in it's large volume. i thnk they were labelled constituents of tone. 'full' vs. 'hollow', 'shrill' vs. 'sweet', 'dull' vs. 'brilliant' etc. i used that as a guide for labeling what i hear.
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Re: Terms used to describe flute tone
When I am playing: Stuffy, muted, insipid, weak, thin
How I want to sound: Full, fat, round, chocolaty...
How I want to sound: Full, fat, round, chocolaty...
- crookedtune
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Re: Terms used to describe flute tone
An instructor recently suggested that I avoid sounding "tentative". He was right, and it was useful to hear.
Charlie Gravel
“I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying.”
― Oscar Wilde
“I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying.”
― Oscar Wilde
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Re: Terms used to describe flute tone
Hi Terry,
Time for you to post some sound clips that we can all listen to, so we can start arguing about adjectives....
Clinton
Time for you to post some sound clips that we can all listen to, so we can start arguing about adjectives....
Clinton
- jemtheflute
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Re: Terms used to describe flute tone
In addition to those mentioned so far..... in no particular order or degree of seriousness: resonant, round, fruity, evanescent, scintillating, forced, forceful, buzzy, clean, clear, trumpetty, pure, dirty......
I respect people's privilege to hold their beliefs, whatever those may be (within reason), but respect the beliefs themselves? You gotta be kidding!
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- m31
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Re: Terms used to describe flute tone
Dry, breathy, raspy, honk (although I don't get that one), bright.
- Doug_Tipple
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Re: Terms used to describe flute tone
That sure is some "crazy" tone you're getting there, Buster.
I don't know, Clyde. I just call it my "down home" tone.
When I want to make a big impression, I play with a "lush" tone.
"Lush" or "fluid", which is the better tone quality, I ask?
I don't know, Clyde. I just call it my "down home" tone.
When I want to make a big impression, I play with a "lush" tone.
"Lush" or "fluid", which is the better tone quality, I ask?
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Re: Terms used to describe flute tone
Limpid.
I respect people's privilege to hold their beliefs, whatever those may be (within reason), but respect the beliefs themselves? You gotta be kidding!
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- Terry McGee
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Re: Terms used to describe flute tone
Access? Never leave home without it!rama wrote:if you have access, rockstro's treatise contains a concise sprectrum of opposites somewhere buried in it's large volume.
Well remembered, rama! OK, for the record, here they are (expressed as antonyms):i thnk they were labelled constituents of tone. 'full' vs. 'hollow', 'shrill' vs. 'sweet', 'dull' vs. 'brilliant' etc. i used that as a guide for labeling what i hear.
Power/Softness
Volume (or Fullness)/Thinness
Brilliancy/Dullness
Sweetness/Harshness
Clearness/Impureness
Acuteness/Gravity
He has some additional terms in his analytical passages defining the terms above, but I won't go into them just yet. I'm impressed by the range of ideas coming forward, so let's exhaust that vein first.
Terry
- Terry McGee
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Re: Terms used to describe flute tone
It would be a logical step. There are probably plenty on the web already (ideally unaccompanied). Anyone care to nominate one?Clinton wrote:Hi Terry,
Time for you to post some sound clips that we can all listen to, so we can start arguing about adjectives....
Clinton
Or should we start with the one I used already? What adjectives does this evoke?
http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/Sounds/Lame ... 0Marys.mp3
(Have patience! It takes me about 20 seconds to download.)
Terry
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Re: Terms used to describe flute tone
That's a really hard exercise. I'd say, trumpetty, full, fat, dark, vibrant...Or should we start with the one I used already? What adjectives does this evoke?
http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/Sounds/Lame ... 0Marys.mp3
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Re: Terms used to describe flute tone
Also, other adjectives would be needed to describe the tone of northern players such as John Mckenna or Harry Bradley, but my knowledge of english words isn't enough. Maybe something like pushy, jumpy, breathy (but in a different way from how it was intended before, can't find the right word)...
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