What Is Slurring on the Flute, and How Is It Done?

This technique is used on other instruments as well as the flute. Its Italian name is “legato”.

What is a slur, and how do I play one?

Slurring means playing a bar or phrase continuously, without breaking it up. Imagine six different notes under one slur. Articulate the first with the syllable “dü”, then play the remaining notes as a continuation of its vowel, “üüüüü”, without tonguing again or taking another breath.

• Take a good breath.

• Begin the slur with “dü”, then play all the remaining notes without another breath or tongue stroke. It is that simple.

What you should know about slurs…

• A slur never shortens or lengthens note values.

• It does not mean you should rush.

• Play each note for its written duration.

• Slurring concerns the absence of repeated tonguing.

Gülden Şair
Rekor Sanat – Flute Teacher