I had such helpfull feedback and suggestions on my post regarding thumb position and cramping that I thought my next challenge would be a good candidate for the forums.
Do you preffer to play with the pads of the first joint of your fingers (the end joint with the finger-nails) or do you use the pads of the second joint, or perhaps a combination/variation on those?
And have you tried other techniques, is there a reasn you preffer the one you use or is it just habit?
I am of course new and maleable so feel free to brainwash me
On every flute except the Seery Pratten, I use the pads of the fingers (closest to the end) to close the tone hole.
On the Pratten flute with its larger tone holes, I still use the ends of the fingers but closer to the joint for the first and second finger right hand.
This seems to be a good compromise position for me; your mileage may vary.
Hi, I use pipers grip. (i.e. fingers relatively straight, thumb slightly closer to headjoint, covering with “other pads of the fingers” method) I did try doing Rockstro grip at first but I didn’t keep on using it because it felt less natural to me than pipers grip (probably because I’m used to using pipers grip on the whistle too). Additionally I didn’t like the feeling of arching my fingers. Someone without pipers-grip-on-whistle baggage might feel differently of course.
More importantly, it allowed me to transfer my existing finger technique directly from the whistle to the flute. The Rockstro grip uses slightly different mechanics from the whistle, esp on the Left hand. I feel that the flute is a challenging enough instrument without me having to learn how to roll and cut all over again.
I don’t mean to say that piper’s grip is better than Rockstro grip or vice versa. Both schools of gripping have their share of good flute players. I just feel that pipers grip works better for me.
I’m in the combination club - I use the standard finger pads - closer to the nails - on my left hand on the flute and use the piper’s grip on my right hand. This fell in naturally when I began playing and then I learned it was called the Piper’s grip from another site list (http://www.woodenflute.com). On the whistle I use piper’s grip with both hands on the Low D, G and F. When on the others (high D, ie) I return to the end pads on both hands. It all seems to fall in naturally. Sometimes I feel cramped on the high D whistle, though.
You have to try many different grips for your personal comfort and ease of play. Maybe your grip is not a standard one or one anyone else uses - if it works for you that’s what counts.
Hey! I guess I have played Boehm flute for long enough that the only comfortable playing configuration for me is with the end pads of my fingers. In fact, I found the wooden flute decidedly more comfortable for my hands than the “thinner barreled” Haynes flute I own. My biggest trouble is with low D whistles, still uncomfortable for me regardless of what grip I use, but I actually get a pain in my right wrist when I play those (which I’m hoping will go away some day) When I’m tired or bored, I like to rip through my tunes on my high D whistles, I feel it helps my fingers to “memorize” the notes for when I pick up my flute… And I don’t really have a change of playing style that way, grip-wise, I mean. I can see how if someone always uses a particular grip, it could be more difficult to switch your style between instruments. I’m kinda surprised a flute could be played with pipers grip, actually, but I know some of y’all do it!
For me, consciously thinking about any of this (grip, emboucher style, etc) when I play only makes me do worse, not better… Anyone out there have THAT problem?
Mary
Well, I play better using the pads at the end of my fingers, but depending on the flute and the hole size I’ll use the second pads if need be. I also play whistle, but I’ve never used the piper’s grip as my primary method of playing.
On your Boehm system flute, you might be a good candidate for a BoPep. (If you’re not already using one). In gets attached to the flute, where you place your left index finger knuckle. It really helps to reduce cramping in that hand, especially in the index finger. (Having small hands myself, I’ve never used one).
Hi, I’ve studied on those, actually, but also hear that they scratch the surface of the flute some. I am willing to try one, just haven’t actually committed myself to ordering thus far. I’m playing the silver less and less, though, in favor of my nice wooden flute, mostly because I LOVE the sound, but also because it is so much more comfortable for me to play.
