Teaching
My Philosophy
I believe in the musical knowledge and instincts of each student. As a teacher, I strive to recognize and enhance these abilities. My experience performing and teaching in Colombia, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States has given me the perspective needed to make this goal a reality. Through these experiences, I have developed the ability to adapt to each student and help them become their own teacher.
Flute Beatboxing Basic Guide
Discover the exciting fusion of beatboxing and flute with Jose, your favorite flutist! In this video, we dive into the roots of beatbox, its evolution, and how it blends with the flute to create a powerful, modern sound. Don’t miss this unique musical journey—watch now!
Flute Beatboxing - Hi hat Effect
To create a flute hi-hat effect through beatboxing, it’s important to start by listening carefully. Begin by hearing real hi-hat sounds from drum kits and beatboxers you admire—this helps you internalize the tone and rhythm you’ll be mimicking. The two main types of hi-hat sounds are the exhaling and inhaling hi-hats, and these form the foundation for more advanced techniques.
To produce the sound, shape your lips to make a sharp articulation, similar to the “ts” in the word cats. Your tongue should be positioned near the roof of your mouth, just behind your teeth. Try experimenting with this placement, adjusting the volume, pitch, and intensity. You can also vary the articulation by using a closed “t” for a tighter sound or an open “t” for something longer. Once you’ve mastered the basic sound, try applying it while playing the flute, focusing on creating short, clear bursts of sound. As you gain confidence, feel free to add your own creative twist. While some studies explain these techniques using MRI scans and linguistic terms, the key is to keep practicing and have fun exploring your unique sound.
Flute Beatboxing - Kick Bass Effect
In this video, we are going to break down how to practice the “Ki drum” sound and apply it while playing the flute. The first step is to listen to the sound you’re aiming for—both with and without the flute. You can produce this kick drum sound using your voice or without it, depending on the tone you want. Start by saying “k” or a voiced sound like “b,” pushing air from your diaphragm to create that low, punchy beat. You can also experiment with vowels like “a”, “e”, “o” to vary the tone. The articulation, pressure, and vowel choice all help control pitch, strength, and duration.
Once you’ve got the basic sound, practice directing the air through the flute to amplify and resonate the beat. Begin by playing a simple note, like an A, to hear the difference between the beatboxing alone and the combined flute effect. Then, combine this Ki drum with a simple flute melody and even bring in the hi-hat technique from the previous video. Mix voice and air-based sounds, shift articulations, and don’t be afraid to experiment—with or without the flute. The possibilities are endless, and the key is consistent practice. Start slow, increase complexity over time, and most importantly, have fun with it!
Flute Beatboxing - Snare Drum
To create a snare drum effect on the flute using the inhale PS technique, start by listening to real snare drum hits and beatboxers who use this sound—this helps you understand the crisp, percussive quality you’re aiming for. The inhale PS is all about producing a sharp burst of air as you breathe in, shaped like a quick “ps” or “pst” sound. To get this right, open your mouth slightly and let the air pass over your tongue and the roof of your mouth, using light to medium breath pressure. It should feel like you’re quietly shushing someone, but with a snappier and more rhythmic execution. Experiment with the strength of the inhale and articulation to find a balance between clarity and control.
Once the basic sound is solid, try integrating it between notes while playing the flute. Syncing the snare effect with simple melodies lets you build rhythmic patterns and layer it with other beatbox elements like kick drums and hi-hats. With steady practice, your snare will become sharper and more expressive, turning your flute playing into a dynamic, beat-driven performance.
Flute Beatboxing - Rimshot Effect
To learn how to create a snare rimshot effect while playing the flute, this video is a great starting point. We walk you through both inhale and exhale K techniques, which mimic the crisp, staccato ring of a real rimshot. Start by listening to examples of the actual drum sound to internalize the sharp, percussive quality you’re aiming to recreate. For the inhale version, lightly breathe in while sharply pronouncing the letter K—feel free to experiment with different vowels to find what feels natural. The goal is a quick, snappy burst of air, like a soft clap inside your mouth. For the exhale version, use a full breath out while articulating the K sound just as sharply, adding force by increasing internal pressure. Unlike the inhale K, the exhale version resonates through the flute, letting you pair it with different notes.
I demonstrate you how combining both directions—inhale and exhale—can add dynamic rhythm to your flute playing. Alternating the two creates interesting textures, especially when layered with melodies. Start slow to get a clean, crisp K sound, then gradually build up tempo and complexity. With practice, these rimshot effects can blend smoothly into your beatboxing toolkit alongside hi-hats, kick drums, and snares, giving your flute performance a bold percussive edge.
Flute Beatboxing - Flutter Tongue Effect
If you’re curious about adding powerful, textured effects to your flute beatboxing, this video is a great place to start. Here we introduce the flutter tongue technique—also called “fato”—and breaks it down into two types: the traditional tongue flutter and the uvular flutter. The traditional version mimics the rolling “R” sound found in Spanish words like “caro” or “pero” and is created by rapidly vibrating the tip of the tongue while exhaling. This produces a dirty, buzzing tone that works well in medium to high registers, especially when layered with effects like low kicks or rimshots.
The uvular flutter, on the other hand, comes from the back of the throat and is similar to the guttural “R” sounds in French or German. It adds a deeper, more resonant sound, particularly effective in low notes. To create it, pronounce a “D” sound as in “David”, slowly increasing air pressure while engaging the throat. Jose also explains how to apply these flutters while inhaling, which won’t resonate through the flute but adds a unique percussive layer when paired with other inhale-based effects. Though challenging at first, flutter tongue techniques open up a world of rhythmic possibilities when combined with beatboxing. Start slow, focus on clarity, and experiment with registers and dynamics to create expressive, layered textures in your flute playing.
