Slurs, leaps & flexibility

Flexibility on the bass flute is somewhat reduced from that of the C or alto flute, due to the greater distance that the air has to travel. The response of the instrument is slow, particularly when moving between low and high registers, and composers are advised to avoid rapid changes of register, in any articulation.

Wide interval slurs

Slurs are practical across the full range of the instrument, but it should be noted that glissandos 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#'