Right Hand (Fingers) position

Irish Flute
1

Having started to get the Tone and embouchure sorted out thanks to some great advice from many of you, i now have another question, which has probably been asked before and possibly is one of those questions that no one likes because it’s “All down to preference”? But i’m going to ask it anyway… i’m in a learning frenzy and have a hunger for as much information about as many things “Flutewise” as possible… so here goes. :slight_smile:

I’ve seen many different right hand positions when watching various people play the flute and have tried some myself, deciding that the pipers grip seems the easiest and perhaps most flexible for me? However (You kind of knew that was coming didn’t you?) it has to be said that there seems to be a distinct “Sound Difference” between me using the Pipers Grip and then changing to using Flat Fingers and sealing the holes with the tips? (Sorry, don’t know if there’s a tech name for this?). The sound that i get when using the PG is OK, and works well etc, but the sound that i seems to get when using the fingertips and flat fingers (Which, i have to say is NOT easy with my hands and takes a considerable effort) is SO SO MUCH BETTER!!!

Has anyone else noticed this? Is this a known thing or is it just a psychological/audible artifact because of the different angle of the hand/elbow etc? And last but not least, is one better than the other for any reason or are they just both “Different”?

Jinian

2

Hold should not really affect your sound production. The only ways it can do so are either by affecting the way the flute head is put to your lip - dealt with under embouchure! - or by your fingers failing to seal holes properly causing weak/fluffy sounds or squeaks or complete failure to get notes. Of course, hold affects your ability to play with fluidity and control, but that isn’t necessarily connected to tone quality. I have a “Flute Hold” advice/method sheet partly compiled from old posts and discussions here on C&F and including direct quotations from others and links to some old C&F threads in a sort-of appendix - now available to download from Box.net by clicking on the linked title above.

3

Jem: thank you for this, it is very well written and very informative!!! :thumbsup: