I have a question for anyone who is interested. I’ve been having problems with my technique when it comes to playing the leading note of the flute’s major scale. It is easy enough just to play that note by itself by leaving the holes all open. It is when I hit that note while ascending/descending past it that it becomes tricky. When playing a whistle, I have my mouth on the fipple and keep a finger on the bottom hole for added stability. With a transverse blown instrument I find controlling the embouchure end with all holes open to be more challenging. My current method is to roll back my index finger on that side instead of lifting it, but I am finding that I have a tendency to play the note flat when I do this sometimes, and the rest of my hand has to roll back as well to a degree (I use the piper’s style grip). This means that my left hand loses a lot of speed and efficiency. If anyone would like to share their experiences I would appreciate it.
Are you talking about a keyed Boehm system or a holed flute?
Basically is sounds like your having difficulty holding onto the flute when all of your fingers are up.
When I play C# on a 6 hole flute (all fingers up), the flute is resting on my thumbs and is supported by my right pinky. On a Boehm system then only my right thumb and pinky are supporting it. It’s been a long time and I don’t recall if I had difficulty with that in the beginning but since I sometimes have dreams where my flute is falling on the floor then I must have had trouble at times.
I’m sure some people here have some better ideas but in my case it’s just the hang of getting the balancing act down.
Probably the reason you are flat when you try to twist your finger is that your not really uncovering the hole all the way. And that answers my first question :roll:
Was that any help or am I fired?
Okay, so I guess you’re talking about playing the C# (on a D flute), all holes open, right? And with the piper’s grip.
With the piper’s grip, you’re supporting the flute with the thumb of each hand and with the pinky of your right hand (assuming you’re playing the flute right-handed). Your thumbs are supporting from the bottom and the pinky is supporting from the top. Unfortunately these three points of support aren’t quite enough when you’re playing the C#. You’re going to have to provide one other point of support: your mouth, which helps stabilize the flute in this case.
When I played with the piper’s grip, I could feel the flute’s headjoint pushing against my bottom incisors.
With a standard flute grip, you don’t have this problem: the flute is supported adequately with the left hand, between the thumb and the knuckle of the index finger. The pinky of the right hand adds stability when you play the C#. No need to use the mouth for support.
It’s okay to use the piper’s grip (some great players, such as Paul McGrattan, do so), but you may find it worthwhile to switch to the standard flute grip (sometimes called the Rockstro grip) especially if you own or aspire to own a 6- or 8-key flute. It’s really hard to hit certain keys, such as the Bb key, with a piper’s grip, which is one of the reasons I switched. Switching is tough, though…it took me more than 6 months to get used to the new grip and to be able to play tunes as well as I could with the piper’s grip.
It may be that your hands are too small, or your fingers are not long enough or spreadable enough to be using the piper’s grip. I know I can’t use the piper’s grip on flute myself because my hands are too small, although I probably could on a whistle (not a low whistle, mind you) if I was of a mind to.
If you can’t use the piper’s grip, then try the Rockstro grip (http://www.flutesite.com/flute_position_&_posture.htm). Maybe that will work for you.
As John points out the Pipers grip forces different mechanics in supporting the flute than the standard approach. You need to use your left hand thumb to apply a force to the flute body that directs it in towards your jaw. Your thumb should be towards the outer side of the flute body to do this (not at all difficult with the pipers grip).
Basically you should not be using your fingers (in either grip) to clutch the flute as this will impede your ability to move them and will result in the problem you have described on C sharp.
Beir Bua
Conal
Also on the C-sharp try bringing the right-hand pinky down onto the flute, even though it doesn’t have a tone hole. This can help stabilize the flute.
No matter what grip or approach you use, I think the key is to balance the flute. Holding the flute should be comfortable no matter what note you are playing. Once you learn to balance, it also frees up the right thumb for when you move to a keyed flute–you’ll need that thumb for the B-flat key.
Just a thought: it’s awfully hard to balance a flute unless you get your arms up and away from your body. This also will help breathing and tone projection. Stand (or sit) like you’re proud, and it’ll help you have a tone to be proud of.
–James
geek4music wrote:
On a Boehm system then only my right thumb and pinky are supporting it. It’s been a long time and I don’t recall if I had difficulty with that in the beginning but since I sometimes have dreams where my flute is falling on the floor then I must have had trouble at times.
EEEYYYAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!! Oh jeez, thank gawd I was just dreaming that.
Whenever I pick up and try a flute with a low C#/C key on it, I always get afraid I’m going to drop the flute cos my right pinky isn’t supporting it anymore.
madfifer9
gone keyless