So I recently acquired a garry somers bohem flute in d. I have found it quite nice but have noted that my pointer finger of my left hand is sore after about 10 minutes of playing. I am new to the low d flute and am wondering what I am doing wrong. I have a Copley in F that I can play all day without the problem. The hole spacing is similar but of course the hole size on the somers is significantly bigger.
I have tried rotating the sections but that seems to provide little relief.
It might be possible that you are tensing up a bit, so relaxing your grip a bit might be of help. And/or you might try repositioning your thumb, which may give your finger some relief.
I believe early on when I was just learning I had some pain at the base of my left index finger. It hasn’t bothered me in a long time, and I don’t remember doing anything special to relieve it. Though I did start out playing with piper’s grip, and then went to standard grip on the left hand, and this really stabilized the flute for me. Maybe it helped with the pain, I don’t remember. Of course, some find it more comfortable going to piper’s grip too.
Where the flute makes contact with your finger is sometimes a source of trouble for some flute players-holding it higher or lower on your finger could helpful as well, depending on what is causing your pain.
It also could be muscle fatigue, I imagine, due to the different size flute and holes. I’ve had some pain from that-a longer stretch gave me some hand fatigue. Just guessing here-I’m not a flute teacher, just giving it a little thought. So, take the free advice for what it’s worth!
Hi tomcat. I’m not going to try here directly to address your specific situation - too hard to do without actually seeing you in action… but you may find something helpful in going through the process I describe here (downloadable Flute Hold info sheet) and developing your self-analysis and ways of experimenting to achieve a satisfactory hold. (Not “grip”!!!)
You can fashion a bopep to give your index more extension–this might help, can’t hurt. Possibly a bought one
from a music store
will fit the flute.
If not buy some clear plastic tubing from a hardware store, cut off a section an inch (plus) long,
cut a slit length wise on one size so that the ‘bopep’ fits over the flute where it rests on the base of your
left index. Classical flute players often do this to relieve an aching left index, in case the position is too cramped.
Hey, I’m new around these parts, but I had to post just to say that this bo-pep contraption looks wonderful. I am just picking up the whistle after not playing an instrument in years, but back in my childhood-to-teens, I played the clarinet, and the flute. I played flute for years until the pain in my index finger just got so bad I couldn’t stand it anymore. I was taking lessons at this time, and my teacher really didn’t have much of a suggestion, she didn’t think my grip was off. This silly $7 bo-pep would have been the answer to my prayers and I probably still would be playing today if I had it.
I’ve been toying around with picking up the flute again, but held off because of that annoying pain. Might give it a go again now that I know there are some options to get around that irritating sore index finger. Thanks for bringing me out of lurker-dom!
I’m a fount of ideas concerning prosthetic devices to aid the left index. A physical therapist suggested to me that I find a way to keep L1 and L2 apart. I found that kid’s pencil grips (the kind that are sculpted softer rubber, if you can find
them (school/office supply stores)) work admirably and fit comfortably. If your index is bent, like mine, this straightens it out. If it tends to wobble
on bigger holes, I believe this measure minimizes wobble. Takes a slight bit of getting used to, but
then you hardly know it’s there. Of course this device may help no one but me, but
help it certainly does. I get into trouble pretty quickly without it; no trouble with it.
