I mentioned, in the discussion of whether or not to order a keyed flute, the fact that I actuate the G# touch with my LH ring finger as I cover the G finger-hole. There’s an exercise I do to practice the move, which may also be of use to anyone trying to improve their move to the G#. It’s based on a classical piece, and I bet everyone else remembers what it’s called. I can’t think of the name to save my life. It’s this:
_ A / G# A G _A / G# A G_A / G# A F#_A / G# A F#_A / G# A B_A
G# A B_A / G# A d A d A d !!!
My notation is a bit cryptic, I admit, with no real rhythmic cues. I’m counting on the fact that everyone who tries it will cop on to what it is. What is it?
Rob
p.s. The exclamation points should make sense once the tune is recognized.
And therein lies the root of it all! (HUNCHING ALONG LIKE QUASIMODO) The strings, the strings, the strings …
But seriously, we love a good A tune. Don’t leave, sir; there’s Dogs Among The Bushes and Handsome Young Maidens and Mason’s Aprons to be wrestled with!
That is wicked-looking, but seems like a neat idea. Looking forward to giving it a try, although I don’t know if my wee girly fingers are t’ick enough …
Oh, for a whistle at work (though my fellow cube-farmers are relieved, I’m sure). From your descriptions and the half-step intervals Saber Dance keeps coming to mind, but the rhythm’s all wrong, and the descending line’s off, too.
Man, I know this should be an easy tune to name. It’s at the end of an orchestral piece, all right, and is one of many themes which come together in a tumultuous climax, all of which are classics. Two of the others are:
“DUMP dahh, da dee da DUMP dahh, dee da da dumdumdumdumdumdumdumdumDUMDUMDUMDUMDUM!!!”
And:
“dum da DEE, da dumdumdumdumdumdumdumdum dum da DEE, da dumdumdumdumDUM.”
I think I counted the “dums” correctly. Hope it helps. Any clues? My first thought was “Carmen,” but somebody shot that one down.
Oh no!
Somebody run and tell Bill Whelan.
He doesn’t know that the G# was supposed ot be a G in
Lift The Wings from River Dance!
Don’t tell all the Irish Dancers that they’re not dancing to ITM.
Shhhh! Keep it quiet!
All the low whistlers half holing the G stop it!
All the flute players cross fingering stop it too!
Just made a cursory go of it, but thought it was a good one. As I mentioned in another thread, I’m way immersed in The Ebb Tide for now. It’s maddeningly compelling.
I’ll find some chunes with G#s in them to really test how the upper hand ring finger method works for me. Dunno if it’ll be a complete conversion, but given my grip, there’s a lot of utility potential in it.
I guess it’s self-evident, but the exercise I’ve proposed is only good for descending to G# from above. On the way up, I do a sort of rocking manoeuver to vent the G#. Shall have to think up a nifty drill for that move as well.
You know, folks, this is why I rarely bother to post to this forum. What’s the point of trying to be serious(ish) about a topic, when all certain users seem to be looking for is an opportunity for some cheap sarcasm? It’s especially irritating when it’s obvious that the comedians, and I use that word broadly, don’t even know what the topic is.
In this case, the topic isn’t the key of G#, it’s how to use the note G# when playing in the key of A, particularly for players who use a non-standard grip. This is exactly the sort of info I wish I’d had when starting out, and I see the potential value to others in passing it along. Anyone trying to glean a bit of useful info will first have to wade through a bunch of nonsense in the form of what seems to be attempted humor, though exactly where the joke is escapes me. I have nothing against nonsense, but I prefer carefully considered wit to scattershot spleen and invective, apropos of nothing.
Gently needling the string section is, of course, always to be encouraged.
In the past I have found arpeggio drills very useful in playing tunes and help me find the tone of a tune. I appreciate that and (even though am currently keyless) was fascinated with the drill. I am still trying to figure out if it could be turned into a fife drill. It would be nice if when I get keys on a flute to have information available.
If I sound ignorant, it is because I am, and I am trying to learn.
