Am I the only one who uses the little finger on the right hand (rather than my 3rd, or ring finger) to finger the low D on my D flute and low whistle? It works well for me... I've done it long enough I don't even think about it.
It solves the finger-reach problem very well. I can't reach the hole with my third finger at all without great difficulty and the piper's grip is of no help here.
It does preclude using the pinky to hold the flute with, like the Boehm fluters do on the D-sharp key (E-flat). I find that habit difficult anyway, not being a classically trained Boehm fluter as it makes for greater complexity surrounding those notes to which the D-sharp key is adjacent.
Anybody?
I never really understood what the problem with tenor whistle's fingering was. I got myself a flute and a low d and I have no problem using it. In fact I think it's easier to play on a low d than a whistle! Never heard of using little finger, but if it works out great for you I think you should keep doing that.
I think is just a matter of being used to it. I'm absolutely incapable of using my little finger for anything, neither on flute or low/high whistles.
Some people uses their little finger as a 'support' for keeping the flute/whistle stable, specially when cross fingering is needed. I simply can't do that, and I'm definitely not starting now.
So if you me see play you might think I'm having a cup of tea.
Thanks for the feedback friends. Yes Pied, I understand the pipe fingering, I believe all four right hand fingers are used, correct? And Brad, I go back and forth between my keyless D flute and my Boehm flute without a problem, but I see your point about a D flute with keys. Hadn't thought about that.
Chris
I used to do that on my Hall crystal flute. The reach was excesive. My Casey Burns wood flute was fine, but the Hall was awfull. I started playing "piper" style in the right hand on the Hall, and my ring finger can reach the hole. The slightly raised lip on the hole will make a proper seal with the middle pad of the finger, where a lot of wood flutes may not. It is kind of odd using piper style on the glass flute, and standard fingering on the wood flute, but I don't play both back to back that often.
Little finger for low D
Little finger for low D
Am I the only one who uses the little finger on the right hand (rather than my 3rd, or ring finger) to finger the low D on my D flute and low whistle? It works well for me... I've done it long enough I don't even think about it.
It solves the finger-reach problem very well. I can't reach the hole with my third finger at all without great difficulty and the piper's grip is of no help here.
It does preclude using the pinky to hold the flute with, like the Boehm fluters do on the D-sharp key (E-flat). I find that habit difficult anyway, not being a classically trained Boehm fluter as it makes for greater complexity surrounding those notes to which the D-sharp key is adjacent.
Anybody?
Chris Knox
# Posted on April 28th 2003 by unique
Re: Little finger for low D
On my overton, the hole is simply too big for the pinky. And I've got quite big hands.
# Posted on April 28th 2003 by llig leahcim
Re: Little finger for low D
I never really understood what the problem with tenor whistle's fingering was. I got myself a flute and a low d and I have no problem using it. In fact I think it's easier to play on a low d than a whistle! Never heard of using little finger, but if it works out great for you I think you should keep doing that.
# Posted on April 28th 2003 by tufbo
Re: Little finger for low D
I think is just a matter of being used to it. I'm absolutely incapable of using my little finger for anything, neither on flute or low/high whistles.
Some people uses their little finger as a 'support' for keeping the flute/whistle stable, specially when cross fingering is needed. I simply can't do that, and I'm definitely not starting now.
So if you me see play you might think I'm having a cup of tea.
# Posted on April 28th 2003 by Toni Ribas
Re: Little finger for low D
I've seen quite a few low whistle players doing this. Interestingly it's like the way Uillean Pipers play low D.
All the best PP
# Posted on April 28th 2003 by Pied Piper
Re: Little finger for low D
It's fine if it works for you, but you'll need to go & relearn everything if you get a flute with any keys on it.
# Posted on April 29th 2003 by Mad Baloney
Re: Little finger for low D
Thanks for the feedback friends. Yes Pied, I understand the pipe fingering, I believe all four right hand fingers are used, correct? And Brad, I go back and forth between my keyless D flute and my Boehm flute without a problem, but I see your point about a D flute with keys. Hadn't thought about that.
Chris
# Posted on April 29th 2003 by unique
Re: Little finger for low D
I used to do that on my Hall crystal flute. The reach was excesive. My Casey Burns wood flute was fine, but the Hall was awfull. I started playing "piper" style in the right hand on the Hall, and my ring finger can reach the hole. The slightly raised lip on the hole will make a proper seal with the middle pad of the finger, where a lot of wood flutes may not. It is kind of odd using piper style on the glass flute, and standard fingering on the wood flute, but I don't play both back to back that often.
# Posted on May 8th 2003 by bpfrocket