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Question: Grace notes and slurs!? !?
I play the flute and I got a piece with some grace notes that were not slurred!. Do I play them with the slur anyways!? If not, any tips on how I could play them without the slurs!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
The answerer who claims it's an engraving mistake is mistaken!. Depending on the period during which the piece was written, it may simply be an omission because it was implied that grace notes were always slurred!. OR it may be meant to NOT be slurred!.

You might be interested in my link to page 4 of Ornamentation in baroque and post baroque music By Frederick Neumann!.

That being said, if you are not playing baroque or 20th century special notation, you do need to understand the source and intent of the composer/ common style of that period!. Listen to recordings or ask someone who knows the composer/period!.

Good luck!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I am a musician with 30 years experience!. More often than you might think, music is printed with mistakes, missing accidentals, inconsistent notation and on and on!.

Since grace notes are usually slurred, it is possible that the engraver (that's what you call a person who notates printed music) took a shortcut and left out the slurs, made a mistake and left them out, or wasn't provided with a complete manuscript!.

If the piece is an étude, the missing slurs may be intentional - it could be an exercise in double- and triple-tonguing!. Your teacher should have the answer for you, but listening to recordings will also be helpful!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Most grace notes are always slurred!. Therefore the use of a slur in the notation is not necessary!. However, if the composer has given specific instructions to tongue the grace notes, you must tongue them as quickly as possible sometimes using double or triple tonguing to accomplish the figure!. Check with your teacher for his/her recommendation!. Good luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Hello, I'm a flute player also at University for music!.
It might help to listen to a recording of your piece!. If not (or in addition to), take a look at the style and feel of the piece!. Look for patterns and themes to give you an idea of whether or not slurring would fit with the rest of the piece!.
As a general rule though, just play it as it is marked!.
I hope this helps :)Www@QuestionHome@Com

Grace notes are just like normal notes!. If they are not slurred tongue them!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I think there is certain simples you have to follow to do so!.Www@QuestionHome@Com