Slurs, leaps & flexibility

On the alto flute, wide intervals require a greater alteration of the air stream than on the C flute, due to the size of the instrument. The result of this is a slightly slower response, particularly when moving between the extremes of register. Composers are advised to avoid rapid changes of register in any articulation.

Slurs are practical across the full range of the instrument, but it should be noted that glissandi may occur when slurring to notes which require the fingers to slide off the open holes (for example, if slurring up a quartertone from f' or e'). These will be more or less exaggerated depending on the speed of finger movement, but slurs should be avoided in these situations if clarity is important. Equally, smooth slurs are impractical from b to c#' and from g1/4#' to g#' and g1/4#'' to g#''.

When slurring between g1/4#, g# and g3/4# in any octave extra notes can be heard within the upwards slur due to the configuration of the keys. Slurring downwards is smoother.

Slurring from g1/4#' to g#'

Slurring from b to c#' is more effective upwards than downwards, but it is almost impossible to create a smooth slur without extra notes in between.

Slurring from b to c#'