Hey all!
I know this might be a bit of a sinn, a bit like cross fippling. “Cross-embouchuring” perhaps but I’m thinking of starting to play the Boehm style flute. My question is as follows: Could I play a normal Boehm style flute left-handed?? I play left handed and since I have a very low budget, wich will have to cover 6 key’s for the M&E R&R, my first wooden flute and now this Boehm flute, I don’t have the possibility to buy a custom made left-hander flute. I have to get a secondhand flute.
Now I would have tought it to be impossible to play Boehm the wrong way but when I inspected a Boehm style flute closely the other day I couldn’t think of any keys that I wouldn’t be able to hit easily, playing the wrong way. There was one key that seemed a bit hard but it shouldn’t be a problem with a bit of practise. Now, ofcourse I don’t know the proper grip for a Boehm flute and so on so I’m not completely sure if I saw everything I looked for so I have to ask you guy’s. Is it even possible and how hard is it?
Hi there. I’m a newcomer here, and I can’t comment on any differences between a concert flute and an Irish flute, since I haven’t been able to get my hands on an Irish flute yet (saving up for an M&E polymer…) I have, however, been playing a concert flute for many years now, so I think I can answer your question about the concert flute.
First off, the lip plate is only designed to be played on one side - the back side of the lip plate would (in my opinion, at least) be very uncomfortable to play…
Secondly, I’m not sure which hand would be closest to your head, but I’d guess it would be your right hand if you’re playing left handed? If so, you’d probably have quite a hard time being able to play the B and Bb keys with your right thumb (for me, the position of those keys helps me balance the flute, also, and playing it left-handed puts it at an awkward angle to do that), and I’m not sure how you’d ever be able to hit the G# key… If you’d be playing with your left hand next to your head, it’d be easier to hit those keys, but your left wrist would be twisted, and I’m not sure if you’re right hand would be able to stretch far enough to be able to reach the keys.
Out of curiosity, though, which key was it that you thought would be hard to hit? I’d be interested to know if anyone has been able to successfully play a concert flute left-handed.
Hope that helps.
Sorry, it’s really not possible to play the Boehm flute left-handed. As flutegirl said, the headjoint is only designed to work one way. In addition, the levers closing the keys are designed to work played right-handed. Also, I can think of no usable way to play the thumb B key backwards, as it’s on the side.
I’m left-handed too. Since you use both hands to play the flute, I really don’t see the advantage in playing one way over the other. On the Boehm flute, I’ve actually found it an advantage to be left-handed. My left hand (i.e. the hand that must be somewhat awkardly extended at the wrist) has better facility than many right-handed players.
Thanks for your reply’s. I really have to think about how im going to solve this issue. Flutegirl, I don’t know exactly what key it was that seemed hard but I could imagine it’s that G# key. It’s aproximetly in the middle of the flute body and goes out between two big body key’s and it extends out. I would imagine one would operate it with the left hand little finger (playing the proper way).
Dhigbee, I’m not really lefthanded. I’m mix handed, I write, throw and so on with my right hand, but I’m strongest in my left hand and when I eat, for example, it dosn’t matter what hand I hold the fork in, etc. It’s just that I play the wrong way with my right hand closest to the head, I’ve alway’s done that. I supose I could learn to play the right way, but that will take time and be very frustrating I imagine, and I would have to ask mr. Cronnolly to re cut the embouchure of my M&E flute since it’s cut for a lefthander and so on… Loads of problems, but I’ll think something up.
Cheers
Yeah, I use both hands too, although I only write with my left hand. I can only use a knife and scissors with my right hand. I guess it’s whatever works best for you. Has anybody heard of a Boehm flute designed backwards? I never have.
Dana
I am always intrigued by the left handed Firth & Pond 8 key flute I have, from perhaps 1860 or so .Does anyone know of other American left handed flutes of the period ?