Holding flute to play the 2nd C

Chel · Post by **Chel** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 12:09 pm

Hello. I am new here and new to the flute. I wish there is a teacher around here, but I couldn't find any yet. So I have a basic question to ask.

When I play 2nd C note, the flue is very unsteady. I have to hold the flute only with left index, right thumb and right pinky, right? The flute cannot stay in my hands without pressing harder on the right pinky. When the pinky has a load, the transition to next D note, which doesn't require the right pinky, becomes very hard.

The books and web site I checked doesn't show how to hold the flute efficiently without unecessary pressure or pain.

Can anybody give some hint what to do?

Thank you!

pied_piper · Post by **pied_piper** » Sun Oct 12, 2008 3:20 pm

Basically, holding the flute is similar to a see-saw. The first joint of your left index finger is the fulcrum or balance point and the lip and right thumb provide slight opposing pressure to keep it in balance. The right pinky helps but on some notes the pinky must be up, so don't rely on it too much.

Try these links and see if it helps to answer your questions:
http://www.jennifercluff.com/basichold.pdf
http://www.jennifercluff.com/beginn.htm

Welcome to the board and to flute playing too!

Chel · Post by **Chel** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 4:31 pm

Dear pied_piper,

Thank you for the info. I look into the site you recommended, and understand exactily what you mentioned. And wow, immediately when I changed the way to hold the flute as suggested, my problem has gone. Well, I am working on next problems now.

So far I love practicing the flute. And I am glad that I asked some help in this forum.

See ya.

pied_piper · Post by **pied_piper** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 5:02 pm

Glad I could help point you in the right direction.

There's a lot of folks here willing to lend a helping hand.

Chel · Post by **Chel** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:07 pm

Thanks again.

Then I have one easy question. When a finger is not pressing the key, should it rest on top of the keys or in the air without touching the keys? Or it doesn't matter as far as the fingers are not too far away from the instrument?

I got Pearl PF-505 flute by chance. I have no experience with or tried any other flutes, but I started like my Pearl very much. Someday, I would like to be good enough to understand the difference among the flutes and become skillful enough to desearve a better one.

nasxxx · Post by **nasxxx** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 10:13 am

The Pearl 505 is a very good flute nothing wrong with it. Currently using it myself but the RE version (open hole with plugs).

Chel · Post by **Chel** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 10:37 pm

That's an encouraging message. Thanks. Good to hear from others who use the same instrument.

This kind of things never happened to me when I am talking about my other instrument - violin.

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 4:36 am

Salud!

Chel, I had similar problems with holding the flute on some notes like C2 (I started playing a month ago), but it's just a matter of days getting your hands accostumed to it.

Chel · Post by **Chel** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 10:19 pm

Yes, in terms of the flute holding, I am getting there. Thanks.

Now I am having browing problem. One day, I can generate very clean steady sound without any effort. Next day, a lot of noise and waste of air. From time to time, I can make no sound at all for minutes. It's not consistant. I hope the problem will be gone too in a few days.

Saludos.

vampav8trix · Post by **vampav8trix** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:37 am

You might have a key or a few keys leaking.

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:55 am

Salud!

vampav8trix wrote:You might have a key or a few keys leaking.

Sorry, I'm very new to the flute. What is a leaking key? A key that lets some air out even when closed?

vampav8trix · Post by **vampav8trix** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:06 am

Salud!

vampav8trix wrote:
You might have a key or a few keys leaking.

Sorry, I'm very new to the flute. What is a leaking key? A key that lets some air out even when closed?

Yes. That is a leaking key. A flute requires precise adjustments and everything in perfect working order. You should have your flute cleaned, oiled and adjusted (COA) at least once a year. If you play A LOT you should have it adjusted more often.

Over time your flute pads will settle and shift and will devlop leaks. It may not be very noticeable at first and you may unconsciously make adjustments to make the flute play well.

Everytime I have my flute adjusted it comes back playing noticeably better.

I dabble at flute repair and it takes me a long time to get a flute just right. If the pads are not perfect, it can take a lot of effort to get the notes to sound. If they are really out of adjustment, you may not get any sound at all out of the flute.

Have your flute checked out by a good tech if you start having any problems with sound.

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:27 am

Salud!

Thanks a lot for the advice and the info.

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Holding flute to play the 2nd C

Holding flute to play the 2nd C

Where to rest the fingers?