I recently got an 18 month old 8 key Grinter, with an additional Bb touch and lip plate off ebay. Wasn’t looking for the extra lever or lip plate, but it was the right price (all my savings) at the right time (hadn’t blown it on something else silly, like health insurance).
Coming from playing a 5 key (No long C) I’m starting to have to adjust my hold. I believe I’ve been using the standard Rockstro grip. I’m interested in how he or others recommend addressing the foot keys.
Having my right thumb push on the side of the flute where it’s not underneath my index has been very comfortable for me. Now, it tends to run into the extra lever. I’m going to have to compromise or take off the touch.
It seems like when the ‘C/C#’ keys are in line with the tone holes the pinky has to reach up and out to push down. Not the most efficient or comfortable position for it to be in. It’s also a bit of a stretch to get to the Low ‘C’. Rotating the keys slightly towards my hand allows me put a slight bend in my pinky and push more forward than out and down. It feels stronger and more natural. But it moves the Eb key lower to what at least initially feels like an awkward position.
Any advice from Rockstro/Nicholson? Any suggestions from players or makers out there?
I think the only approach that works is to try slightly different grips and key alignments until one works better.
I’m a Rocktro grip fella myself, and with my Hamilton I’ve had to adjust my approach a bit to allow for a left hand B-flat touch that’s higher up the side of the flute than I was used to.
I’m still working on that adjustment, myself, but the Hamilton is a fine flute and worth the effort. As I’m sure you’ll find your Grinter will be.
To comfortably play the low c and c#, you’ll likely have to forgo the e-flat key by rotating the footjoint as you have described. Most folks with an 8 key use this position if they are playing the low notes. It’s not really a problem as how often does an e-flat come up in ITM? Too bad about the Bb touch. I guess that’s one reason why you don’t see them very often. Sort of like the thumb hole C on a keyless–sounds like a good idea but is lacking in application.
I suppose the Bb touch is very helpful if you’re using
piper’s grip.
I find the Eb key a major frustration, because I definitely
wish to use it, but I don’t know what to do with my
pinky if the key is in range. I’ve tried Rockstro–it
doesn’t work for me. I need to have the pinky down
to have a stable grip; I get injured otherwise.
What did people in early 19th century orchestras
do?
Jim, you might want to check Quantz’s book. He advocates a four-point grip that’s quite different from Rockstro’s (IIRC) three-point grip. The LH thumb, LH index-finger fleshy patrt, the lip, and the RH thumb form the support points. The RH thumb is in the same place as the “standard” grip, but the LH thumb is a bit closer to the face. That’s as well as I can describe it without consulting the book. I find it works very well except for the C#, but I’ve only been working on it for a few weeks.
What did people in early 19th century orchestras
do?
I think “hurt” covers all the bases.
In all seriousness, when you look at the music they were playing on these flutes, they had to have worked out hand positions that allowed for extremely agile and flexible fingers.
I suspect then, as now, each player has to work with the flute and find his own way of dealing with grip and position issues, because then, as now, no two flutists are exactly alike.
Those who couldn’t work it out I suspect didn’t survive as professional musicians and had to find other trades.
To comfortably play the low c and c#, you’ll likely have to forgo the e-flat key by rotating the footjoint as you have described. Most folks with an 8 key use this position if they are playing the low notes. It’s not really a problem as how often does an e-flat come up in ITM?
True, but the Eflat key is important for venting lots of the notes, especially in the third octave.
I think it’s just practice - I’ve found that the alignment of the low C / C# has a big effect on the overall tone of my old flutes. Offsetting the holes definitely (imho) degrades the sound. I always align the holes, rest my RH pinky on the Eflat, venting whenever it helps - and then slightly slide my hand forward to reach the lower C /C# when I want to use them - which is surprisingly often in Scottish tunes.
