Spanning a c flute

Irish Flute
1

I have a c flute made by thompson of tubbercurry.

I have not practised it for some time but recently when trying it I was struggling to reach the last hole.

I tend to try to play using my fingertips and this seems to be the problem. I have to really stretch to close the hole and am continuously readjusting my finger placement when I find I am failing to play the bottom d cleanly.

I don’t get on with the piper’s grip. I’ve tried slanting my hand so that I am closing the f hole with the middle joint of my first finger which allows me to reach the bottom hole. When I do this, though, I’m not sure if I’m sealing the f hole properly.

I’m curious to know how others tackle this adjustment when playing a ‘flat’ flute.

2

I would say first cover the bottom hole with your bottom hand ring man’s first joint finger pad. Then, keeping that in place except for swivelling it, swivel your hand to see if you can cover the next 2 holes up with your first joint finger pads. The 2nd joint pad is less sensitive as you’ve already discovered. But if you use a bit of handcream you might find it’s tacky enough to feel when you’re sealing the holes. Hope this helps! - Lesl