Could someone please help me?
I am currently learning composition and trying to write a part for the flute. I have written it but have to add the dynamics, expression etc. I want it to sound 'Cantabile' - a singing, melodic sound. Is this possible to play on the flute and how is it done? They are simply minims joined by a legato slur. Can you even play legato whilst playing cantabile?
I would appreciate your advice as I am really in the dark about this!
Cheers.

You can do pretty much anything on a flute (or any other instrument) if you're skilled enough. There should be no problem with playing in a singing style while playing legato.

Thanks for that. My teacher, who also plays flute seems to think you can't. But I thought there was something odd about that when she said it.

No, I'd say it's entirely possible. Flute naturally is pretty easy to get a good, singing tone out of, and legato tonguing shouldn't affect what type of tone is possible. Does your teacher play flute as their primary instrument, or are they a doubler/tripler of some sort?

hmm that's odd because ive always heard people say that they think flute is the instrument thats most like the voice.

Its her primary instrument.Piano is her secondary
I am starting to think that there is something else behind her opinion.
My understanding is that it was a fairly straightforward marking, pretty easily communicated.I play the violin so, to me,it seemed relatively simple though I just wanted to check my ego was in the right place.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned it yet, but one of the most popular French pieces for flute is Georges Enescu's "Cantabile et Presto". I'm sure your teacher has heard of it.