Bb thumb Key.

Claiken · Post by **Claiken** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 11:03 pm

I am currently just starting to learn an etude which my teacher wants me to use the alternate fingering for Bb for (no right hand index finger). im finding it so difficult, ive never used this fingering for Bb. it seems like i think about it way too much! is there any exercises or soemthing i can do to make my hands used to it? it doenst help to think of it has B naturals because it feels wrong to my thumb.... i must sound crazy...

Schof · Post by **Schof** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:11 pm

Just do some F scales and stuff with the alternate, also use it when playing any music and not just where your teacher told you to use it. Unless it's an inconveniance to the upcoming fingerings I would use it as often as possible. Soon you'll get very used to it.

Claiken · Post by **Claiken** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 7:25 pm

as often as possible until i get used of it? or as often as possible... forever? lol.

Schof · Post by **Schof** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 8:04 pm

Once you are used to it you can decide when it's appropriate. Remember there are other ways of playing Bb too.

rebecca · Post by **rebecca** » Wed Mar 08, 2006 9:28 pm

Funny. I use the Bb thumb key for every Bb I come across, even if it's an accidental. Bad habit of mine.

Claiken · Post by **Claiken** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 1:23 pm

Schof wrote:Once you are used to it you can decide when it's appropriate. Remember there are other ways of playing Bb too.

there is? besides the one with like 6 leger lines?

amhso · Post by **amhso** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 10:33 pm

Don't use the Bb thumb key too much. It'll become a habbit and you'll hold it down during notes you shouldn't, such as high F. Try to use the lever one or the normal fingering.

FruityFlutie · Post by **FruityFlutie** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 9:08 am

You'll just have to practice it constantly. When I first learned it 3 years ago, I was told to play using alternate Bb (both of them) constantly for about 2 weeks until my fingers got used to it. I use them contantly in band class (we generally play in flat keys in school) and because of using them so much, I've learned when I need to change alternate Bb to regular fingering for F# and things like that. So, yeah...

Just play it constantly. Use thumb Bb only for about a week. Your fingers will get used to it quickly.

FruityFlutie · Post by **FruityFlutie** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 9:11 am

Claiken wrote:
Schof wrote:Once you are used to it you can decide when it's appropriate. Remember there are other ways of playing Bb too.
there is? besides the one with like 6 leger lines?

Yes, you have the Bb lever key which is by your right index finger.

Claiken · Post by **Claiken** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 1:13 pm

FruityFlutie wrote:
Claiken wrote:
Schof wrote:Once you are used to it you can decide when it's appropriate. Remember there are other ways of playing Bb too.
there is? besides the one with like 6 leger lines?
Yes, you have the Bb lever key which is by your right index finger.

interesting, ive never used that b4 in my life! lol

flute_forever · Post by **flute_forever** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 6:48 pm

i use the side key(the lever) as much as I can.
for a piece without many b naturals i usually use the thumb.
if it is an etude my teacher does not like me to use "easy fingerings" on exercises.

Claiken · Post by **Claiken** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 4:53 pm

flute_forever wrote:i use the side key(the lever) as much as I can.
for a piece without many b naturals i usually use the thumb.
if it is an etude my teacher does not like me to use "easy fingerings" on exercises.

for some reason. i see how the alternate Bb fingerings could b easier... but i find i think about it less when i use the first one i knew. which is probably the first one anyone learns, with the right index finger on the regular big key. i guess its a catch 22 sometimes...

rikk22 · Post by **rikk22** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:40 am

i always thought that playing it the hard way is better...from last week i decided to use my right pointy finger for Bb (it makes it easier to trill from Bb to B)