2nd octave Cnat

Whistle
1

…how is the fingering? lol

Is there another option than half-holing it?

Thanks in advance,
Martin

2

Sure.

On most whistles, oxo|xxx will give a very good, well-in-tune second octave C-natural.

If that doesn’t work, you might also try oxo|xxo.

–James

3

Thanks peeplj! Do you use the same fingering on the flute?

4

Yes, you can.

oxo|xxx gives a pretty good C-natural in both octaves on flute; oxx|ooo gives a good strong first octave C-natural and is also the fingering for the 3rd octave D.

Also on a keyed flute, you can finger C-natural by fingering B with the long C key: xoo|[C]ooo

–James

5

Thanks, I tried the oxo|xxx fingering on my Everywhistle and on my Tipple flute, and they both sound nice to my ears.
On the Tipple is it recommended to finger oxx|xoo for the first octave C-natural, but I use to do it oxx|ooo, like on my whistles, and it works quite good.
I also use oxx|ooo for the 3rd octave D, indeed! :slight_smile:

Thanks a lot for your help!
Martin

6

I use OXXXXO for the second-octave C-nat on both whistle and flute - checked with a tuner, it’s more accurate than the others mentioned above.

Pat

7

That’s my preferred fingering, too. I find oxo|xxx tends to be flat, and I have several whistles where oxo|xxx produces a lovely B natural instead. Whatever works.

8

I’ve been wondering about that too. Thanks :smiley:

9

Thanks everyone! I’ll try out all the fingerings and see which works better.

Regards,
Martin

10

Martin, I think you’re right about trying out the alternatives - and you have to do it for each instrument, as different ones respond differently. The same fingering is not always the best in both octaves either, just to complicate matters.

For example, on Generation whistles, the strongest most in tune 1st 8ve Cnat is oxx xox, but the best 2nd 8ve one is oxo xxx. (oxo xxo works but is sharp, oxo ooo is way sharp, oxx xxo doesn’t work at all.)

oxx xxo can be good for 1st or 2nd 8ve on some instruments, but on others gives a sharp B or is very “wolfy”, and again even if it works well in one octave may not be the best in the other

One alternative fingering for 2nd 8ve C on some instruments that hasn’t been mentioned is xox xox.

oxo ooo works well for 2nd 8ve C on some instruments too.

This thread is really about whistles and unkeyed flutes, but as others have digressed:- on keyed flutes the fingering James mentions x,oo ooo using the C key for 2nd 8ve C works OK on Pratten flutes usually, (it is standard for 1st 8ve C) but is woefully flat on most others including R&Rs, where the various options already mentioned come into play, plus probably the best (not hitherto mentioned): xox xx,o, using an F key and the Eb key.

BTW, 2nd 8ve C# is best as oxx xoo on the vast majority of instruments, flutes, whistles, keyed or not, cylinder or conoid bore. The 1st 8ve ooo ooo is almost always way flat when pushed up to 2nd 8ve.