What is Beatbox Flute?

Beatbox flute is a new extended technique on flute that transforms the instrument from a melodic one to rhythmic one. The definition of "beatbox flute" is unclear but here I will define it to be a holistic style, comprised of many different kinds of extended techniques. Greg Pattillo, one of today's most prominent beatboxing flutists, calls this style "rhythm flute." In the end this is all a matter of semantics. "Beatbox flute," aside from the actual beatbox sounds, is made up of techniques like humming into the flute, unconventional articulation, purposefully airy tone, and extremely rhythmic playing. Other techniques like multiphonics can be incorporated. 

The beatbox sounds themselves are just imitations of different parts of a drum kit. The bass, high-hat, and snare are the bread and butter of any beatbox flutist. By weaving these sounds together into beats, the flute is transformed into a rhythm machine! One issue that comes up early on is air. The flute by itself demands a high volume of air because of its lack of resistance in its mouthpiece. Other instruments, like saxophone or trumpet, don't suffer as much from this issue. When beatboxing is introduced, air consumption can double or even triple!

My Recordings

Three Beats for Beatbox Flute was composed by Greg Pattillo for the 2011 National Flute Association Convention
High School Competition. It is one of the only mainstream written works available for beatboxing flutist.

This is a beatbox flute medley performed in homage to Greg Pattillo's earliest YouTube videos.