Can woodwinds play multiphonics fast?

If you have 2 notes a third apart, C and E, could a flute play them fast legato?

I'm not entirely sure what you mean. Your question mentions "multiphonics" but your post seems to mean a tremolo. Do you want them to played at the same time or alternating quickly? True multiphonics are a bit awkward to play. The tremolo with depend on the octave - low is okay, middle is particularly awkward going from C to E, and high is again okay. That's just due to the fingering system.

Do you have a photo/screenshot of the passage? I could provide more detail if so (and hopefully help with other flute-writing issues!)

Multiphonics are for those gifted in such things. They're awkward and unpredictable. I know an oboe and clarinet can do them but they depend very much on the player. I've never seen them in orchestral scores. No doubt people like Fernyhough have applied them but I'll bet for a particular performer. I didn't even know a flute could play multiphonics so am ready to be enlightened.

Edit: but now I look it up on google. seems that they can. 

1 hour ago, aMusicComposer said:

I'm not entirely sure what you mean. Your question mentions "multiphonics" but your post seems to mean a tremolo. Do you want them to played at the same time or alternating quickly? True multiphonics are a bit awkward to play. The tremolo with depend on the octave - low is okay, middle is particularly awkward going from C to E, and high is again okay. That's just due to the fingering system.

Do you have a photo/screenshot of the passage? I could provide more detail if so (and hopefully help with other flute-writing issues!)

 

41 minutes ago, Quinn said:

Multiphonics are for those gifted in such things. They're awkward and unpredictable. I know an oboe and clarinet can do them but they depend very much on the player. I've never seen them in orchestral scores. No doubt people like Fernyhough have applied them but I'll bet for a particular performer. I didn't even know a flute could play multiphonics so am ready to be enlightened.

Edit: but now I look it up on google. seems that they can. 

 

Here is an example of what i meant 

They can play multiphonics. However, speaking as a flute player I would warn you to avoid them. 

The 2nd one in that picture is easy to produce - even a beginner can (again speaking from experience.) The other ones, however, are not easy. Taking the whole passage up an octave allows the 1st and 3rd to be produced (with considerable difficulty) but jeopardises the 2nd one.

Hmm, i see, so is it just better to voice one note, and spread the other note to say the piccolo, or another instrument?

Yep. That would definitely be a better option. Maybe you have two flute players, or the line could be taken by any other instrument.

4 minutes ago, aMusicComposer said:

Yep. That would definitely be a better option. Maybe you have two flute players, or the line could be taken by any other instrument.

 

Okay, thanks very much for the knowledge!