3rd octave notes on a Casey Burn FF

Irish Flute
1

With the help of some ChapAid lip balm lube, I can get my CB folk flute to hit a 3rd octave G, but no higher. Anyone have tips on how to get a 3rd octave A or B from this flute?

Here are my fingerings for the 3rd octave:

C nat = OXXXXO
C# = OOOOOO (OOOOOX does not work as well - volume is much lower)
D = XXXXXX (OXXXXX also works, am not sure which is more stable)
E = XXXXXO
F = XXXXOO
G = XXXOXX (this is actually stronger and more stable than the F)

Any better fingerings for these notes?

2

Cnat OXO XXX
C# OOO OOO
D OXX OOO

E XXO XXO
F# XOX XXX
G XOX OOO
A OXX XXO

Denny

3

Whoa. I’ve tried, but I can’t anything higher than the 3rd octave D.

Max

4

Thanks Denny. I’ll try those fingerings tonight. It’s interesting that you use OXX XXO for a 3rd octave A. For me, the note seemed to be between the 2nd octave A and 3rd octave C#, so that would be a 3rd octave Cnat. Hmmmm… well, I’ll listen for it again.

fiddlecrazy, did you try wiping a little ChapAid or ChapStick on the inside edge of the embouchure hole, as I suggested? I purchased my CB FF from a C&F member, who told me that it was hard to blow the second octave A and B. With the ChapAid and making sure to shake out any excess moisture inside the flute, I can reach into the 3rd octave.

If you did try the lube trick, then the problem may be getting your embouchure tighter on the lips.

Of course, it could also be that not all CB Folk Flutes can get to the 3rd octave.

5

Ok, I spent some time trying out Denny’s fingerings, but they don’t seem to output the same notes for me. Here are the ones for notes I didn’t have before:

XOXOOO → D#
OXOXXX → E# or Fnat

Again, I was able to reach the 3rd octave only after applying lip balm to the embouchure hole. Without it, the 3rd octave notes are weaker and less stable. I still cannot go above a G.

6

Heady,

You might want to take a week or so and read through Terry McGees’ site.
http://www.mcgee-flutes.com

There is a keyless fingering chart at:
http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/keyless.html

Denny

7

I had only been able to get to the third octave G my Casey Burns(not the FF,the standard) but that fingering for the A works pretty well! :sunglasses: Thanks Denny!