Hi,
I’m new to this forum and to Bb flutes. I’ve been playing a Bb Model F fife for about 6 months now and I’ve just been introduced to the Bb flute. I’m learning on a British Army issue 6 key flute and I’m trying to get used to the differences. The biggest problem is using the pinkie finger to hold that lowest key open for most of the fingerings.
Our drum corps plays in traditional British regimental style with the Model F fife, and our music is scored in D and G. This means for most of the music we normally play, most of the flute keys would not be used anyway. Still, it is interesting to learn and try to get on top something new, and use it when able to.
I do have a question about keyed flutes. Musically speaking, the Bb keyed flute is essentially the same as a Bb fife, except that it has keys to allow it to be played in keys other than D and G Major, right?
Ok, my question is; if that is the case, why is it that on the fingering chart for the flute, that the bottom key needs to be held open, to play a note, for example 1st E, when on a fife, 1st E is played effectively with that ‘key’ closed?
First of all, let me confess that I have never seen or played a Bb flute with keys. However, if you look at a finger chart for a Boehm style concert flute, you will find that the RH pinky is depressed for many of the notes. However, if you raise your pinky while playing most of the notes, you will not notice any difference in pitch. This means that depressing the key with the RH pinky is, for much of the scale, merely a means of holding and stabilizing the flute. On an open-hole, 6-hole flute or fife, I place my RH pinky on top of the flute for the same reason.
Doug, thank you for your warm welcome and help. I’ve since found another key chart from Terry McGee’s website, and his chart for a 6 key flute shows the bottom key closed for most notes. That’s a great site full of good information.