In tunes in G or C ( or F or Bflat, etc.), do you tend to stick to either the C-Nat key or the cross fingered C-nat? Or do you vary depending on the situation? (Assuming youve got a keyed flute!) E.g in the Gravel walks where the C-nat comes into some very fast triplets in the version I have. e.g. A2 eA (3cBA) eA.
Or in Miss MacLeod’s, with various different scenarios. In this tune it seems to be ok to use the key throughout.
The Gold Ring seem to be a pain in the rs however using the key.
I personally have great difficulty keeping straight in my head if I start mixing the two different fingerings. So, is it ok to pick e.g. the key and stick with it throughout or is the switching something I just have to deal with?
If you switch, do you have a set of rules or a policy that you use to decide which to use?
C-B-A triplets, which are a cinch to do with the long C key. Try playing The Cup of Tea with that triplet at the very beginning, it’s a nice variation.
The high C natural in tunes like Trim the Velvet, etc.
For everything else I prefer the cross-fingered C; I like the slightly veiled quality of the note and the ability to shape it…using the keyed C is like hitting a button on an accordion: it’s more in tune but has less character.
I have the key, but unfortunately don’t use it much as I can’t reach it without shifting my right hand over enough to make it inconvenient. plus, playing around with my tuner I figured out the the cross fingering is actually better in tune (in the lower octave). so I guess I’ll stick with that unless a better solution appears.
Same as Brad and Eric, for me, although I also sometimes use the key for B-C-B phrases. The crossfingerings I most often use are oxxooo and oxxxox, although I sometimes use oxoxxx, and oxoooo give a nice “piper’s C”–not quite C#, but also not C nat.
Um, same as Brad and everybody else. I do try and use the key a bit more when I’m playing slow airs, though.
for cross fingering, a lot of people do oxx ooo, but I find that oxx xox works best on my flute.
Some players with antique flutes are forced to use the key in order to get a decent in-tune C natural. I knew a woman in Dingle who used the key every time she played C natural…didn’t slow her down at all!
Possibly a little off-topic, but I have a C-nat hole, instead of a key. It’s in tune, and really quick and easy to use. I still occasionally cross finger, usually OXXOOO, but mostly I use the c hole.
I use the key almost exclusively - as with other notes I find that I can shape it or change it with the lip if needed and I think it is the same sort of shape or change as other notes and not veiled when you want it strong. Actually, the main reason is that I set out to get comfortable with it and getting to that point got me off the cross fingering and I’ve never found reason to go back except when I’m on the whistle or a keyless when I miss it - mainly because I’m so used to it now.
I think that a Cnat key is quite useful for “leaning” into those Cnat’s in some tunes like The Banks Of Ireland. But you surely can achieve the same sound with a thumbhole.
So I only use it in very selected circumstances when it’s quick.