Tongue Pizzicato

Andrián Pertout, Echoes from the Past (m. 58-9)

Another quasi-percussion effect possible on the flute is the tongue pizzicato. This effect is produced by fingering a specific pitch and producing a hard "T" with the tongue (the throat must be closed to avoid extra expulsion of air). This effect is more facile of execution than the tongue ram, as double-tonguing may be employed to produce quick streams of tongue pizzicati. Some flutists prefer to produce this sound with a forcible opening of the lips, in which case the term "lip pizzicato" is applicable. This passage from Andrián Pertout's Echoes from the Past illustrates an effective use of the tongue pizzicato. The notation pizz, combined with x note heads, leaves no doubt as to the composer’s intention.