I have some tendinitis in my left index, so I minimize its use playing flute.
That means that I use the C natural key lots on flutes that have it.
The move from C natural (using the key) to D, either second or first octave,
is not so smooth, since the rt hand is shifted a bit to the left so as to
use the C natural key. It has to shift back to cover the rt hand holes.
Same from C natural to E. And vice versa.
This is especially hard at speed.
I’m practicing steadily and I wonder if anybody out there routinely does this?
I believe that somebody once said that he uses the key always.
I have a flute with only the short F key. As did Nicholson. So it must be possible
to move from D to F, using the key. But how, without playing the E?
Why would the index finger prevent you from using middle and ring finger to play the C natural? And how do you play a B? … it must be possible to move from D to F, using the [short F] key. But how, without playing the E? It is possible, of course. You have to move quickly. June does it. Most Irish players that I know do it. I do it more and more frequently. Keep at it. You’ll get it eventually.
I rarely use the C-nat key when middle D is the preceding or following note; the various cross-fingerings (usually oxx ooo or oxx xox) make much more sense. Going from either of those to D (fingered oxx xxx) would give your left index a break.
In the second octave, oxx ooo is the fingering for D, so no issue using the key, but once again, you can eliminate using your left index altogether with the standard second octave fingering oxo xxx for C.
The problem with the left index is LIFTING it. There are lifting tendons and pushing tendons and
my left index lifting tendon is the problem. The crossfingerings (which I know facilitate
the transitions my first question mentioned) involve lifting the left index. That’s why I try to avoid them. Down is better.
I’ve been icing, etc and my finger does work OK and I’m usually not in pain, but I’m still trying to
minimize lifting it. I just want to play so that I don’t get into more trouble. Hence the use of the key
in situations where I would otherwise gladly cross finger.
I’m playing a lot, by the way, and I’m mostly OK and want to keep it that way.
By the way, I’m now one of these fellows who plays second octave D with the index down.
Also by the way, I have a thumbhole on some flutes and it works well, and of course involves no movement of the
rt hand to play C natural. But I have a keyed flute that I’m working hard to master…
If, as Julia says, using the short F key is doable (and done), I reckon it must be possible to use
the C natural key in difficult passages, too.
Jim, have you considered some type of movement therapy and visualisation to improve use of your index finger and reduction of stress & inflammation? Feldenkreis, for instance, would seem ideal for your situation, including working on the transitions and timing.
Well, I’ve heard of Feldenkreis, and thought about it. Thanks.
What I have done is gone to a hand surgeon and
seen a hand therapist, the latter quite a bit. I’m doing stretches and using ice,
and basically changing the instruments so that they are friendly to my hands
(e.g. thumb holes). I hope I’m not giving the wrong impression.
I’m OK, there’s nothing I want to do that I can’t and I’m rarely in pain. I just want to
keep it that way. First and foremost is to avoid overuse of the left index.
I’m also playing several hours most days.
Again, using the C natural key is helpful (as is the thumb hole). Just wondering if anybody
here uses the key a great deal, e.g. in transitions from C natural to D. It would
be nice to know I’m not the only one in history. I am, by the way, making
progress at this.