For those of you using keyed flutes with a Bb key, I have a question. Do you have a LH thumb Bb key, or a RH1, or both, how easy is it to use? I am getting a 6 keyed flute, and I’m curious whether the extra money for a RH1 Bb is worth it. I will actually be using this key, because of where I’ll be playing, and since I tend to use my LH thumb to help support the flute, I’m also curious if it is possible to do so and use the Bb.
I have a LH B-flat key on all 3 of my keyed simple system flutes.
It is easy to use; I use Rockstro grip, so the left hand thumb is not used in holding the flute and is free to work the key when needed.
–James
I had a flute that had a double touch for Bb. I preferred the RH touch, but I think it was a RH thumb touch.
Eric
I also had a flute with a double Bb (Aebi Pratten). I didn’t use the RH one very much: it was to low under the C. If it would have been closer to it, i’d have used it more I think. Anyway I don’t use the Bb very much except on swedish tunes.
I only recently began resting my left thumb on the flute; it helped me to minimize tension in my right pinky. Anyway, when I press the Bb key w/ my left thumb, I either take the thumb off the flute to press the key, or I simply “roll” the thumb onto the key. I don’t really have a problem either way, but I do kind of prefer just rolling it onto the key. I don’t have a RH Bb key, so can’t comment on that.
Jessi had a flute with the alternate Bb key and most saxophone players use this fingering for the Bb. I’m looking to get the alternate Bb on my keyed flute.
I’ve double touch Bbs on two of my old flutes. One, a Nach Meyer, has double G#s, too, and those are seperate keys and holes. Lots of added weight, and potential for leakage, too. I like the design on my Cloos flute better, where the extra Bb key simply opens the standard key.
I haven’t really found a use for it, though, and I play lots of stuff in flat keys. I may be missing out on something but if you can manage the standard style hold you should be in good shape for most music.
The short F key is pretty superfluous, too, unless you’re going from G# to Fnat or the like, and why would you be doing that?
You do that a lot if you play in flat keys, for going from Ab (G#) to Fnat.
And I always found that rapid passages like Fnat-E or Fnat-G (or any other note but D) are much easier wth the short F. I use my long F really only for D-Fnat: I generally even do Fnat-D with the short.
But a friend of mine had a three key before his 9 key, and because his first flute didn’t have the short F, he almost never uses it.
I think it depends a lot on how you learn.
I also have the double Bb on my Aebi Rudall model but did not get to use the right hand Bb key that much for the same reason. It just isn’t as easy to reach as the Cnat key. You really have to lift your right hand entirely and move it to a different angle before being able to press the Bb key properly. So the advantage of using a fast right hand index finger instead of a slower left hand thumb is somewhat outweighed by the difficulty of getting there in time.
I recently tried out a newer Grinter. It only had the right hand touch on it’s Bb, but that one was much easier to reach, because the hole was slightly closer to the top and the key was also bent towards the index finger. I did not like the looks of the key but it worked really well.
Claus
Thanks for the input all. I’m getting the impression that the LH one is fine, and even though my grip is not the perfect Rockstro one (yet, perhaps) I’ll be able to use it fine. Also that the RH1 is not as easy to use as it sounds, but that some people like it if you are used to an instrument with that sort of touch. As someone with only whistle (and piano, and banjo) experience, I think I’ll go with the LH thumb key and work on my grip to use it.
Just a note: many fine players don’t use the Rockstro grip. It works well for me, but every flutist is different. I wouldn’t call it “perfect.”
Many fine players use other grips (or even their own, unique grip) and still find a way to use the B-flat key when needed.
Keep at it, keep experimenting.
–James