Beatboxing Flutist
Greg Pattillo took the flute world by storm after posting some videos on YouTube combining his flute playing with beatboxing. By now, the video below, where he performs Inspector Gadget, has been viewed over 18 million times!
Greg Patillo is a featured artist in The Savvy Musician.
While there are hundreds of thousands of great performances captured on tape, the music videos featured on TSM blog feature musical creations that are unusual, innovative, humorous, or otherwise purple. This collection is fun–perhaps a stress reliever or diversion at a late night bash! It also provides you with an opportunity to discover new and creative musicians. Let us know if you’d like to see a video here. ENJOY!!!
6 Responses to “Beatboxing Flutist”
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DAVID CUTLER balances a varied career as a jazz and classical composer, pianist, educator, arranger, conductor, collaborator, concert producer, author, consultant, speaker and advocate. Dr. Cutler teaches at Duquesne University, where he also serves as Coordinator of Music Entrepreneurship Studies.
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I love the videos, and I love his talent. However, there’s a fine line between building an empire and typing yourself to a specific category of player, especially when the idea is quite novel. Pattillo’s video’s have been up for 2 years now. I’m quite interested in whether or not they have had a substantial impact on his gigs, whether they have opened him to a wide array of musical opportunities, or if they have typed him to being a “one trick pony.”
The question is will this be a boost for his career in the long run, or will he go down with Numa Numa and the Star Wars kid?
Either way, he’s made an impact; I’ve done some onorthodox things with my flute since I’ve seen his videos. Ian Anderson would be proud!
I’ve often wondered the same thing. From what I understand, Mr. Patillo attended the Cleveland Institute of Music where he studied with Josh Smith (principal of the Cleveland Orchestra). In the flute world, this is quite an accomplishment. Further, he spent a summer as acting principal of the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra. However, all he seems to be known for is his beatboxing. Although it is rather entertaining and I’m sure has boosted his career immensely, is this really what he wants to be known for? As Dr. Cutler mentions in TSM, every musician should consider his or her legacy and for what he or she wants to be remembered. I can’t help but wonder what Mr. Patillo’s future holds and how he will ultimately feel about this explosive chapter in his life.
I think that as a musician that Greg Patillo is an excellent flutist, and although this type of technique enhances his ability to perform outrageously unique musical genres through his instrument, is it somewhat a sin that everyone knows him as the “amazing beat-boxing flutist”, and not, “the absolutely gifted flutist”? I guess it would depend on how you wanted to be viewed as an artist, so opinions are likely to vary. I admire his talent and willingness to step outside of the norm and make himself unique, but is what he does truly a gift, or a gimmick? Or to go even further, a trick?
Hello, I just stumbled upon your blog browsing on online as I am researching some material on flutes. appears like a cool blog so I bookmarked your site and will come back tomorrow to give it a proper read when i have more time. Thank you.
Andrew, thanks for your comment, and please enjoy The Savvy Musician! Feel free to stay involved in the conversation.
Seitensprung
I seriously like Kontakt – what about you?