Newby here with fingering question

[LoriMassey]

Hello! I'm so delighted to have found this spot.

I taught myself to play the flute at age 9-10 and played avidly for many years. While I never had a lesson, I nonetheless got pretty good at it on my own. I stopped playing in my late thirties or so and now, at age 60, want to start again.

I purchased a Gemeinhardt model 30B with G offset and B foot. It's an open hole, but I'll be using the plugs at least at first. I am really delighted with the tone I'm able to get out of this flute even after all those years of not playing.

So here is my question: I can't seem to produce a middle D. I remember all the fingerings from my years of playing, and I can play all of the other notes. I've checked a fingering chart, but it's for a different (shorter) flute, so I wonder if it's possible there is a different fingering. Mostly, I'm just confused as to why I can't get a D out of this flute!!

Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance. I look forward to getting to know you guys as I embark on this journey.

[zummerzet_lou]

I also have a B foot flute, but the fingering for middle D is the same as with a C foot. Could you have a leaky pad?
http://www.flutetunes.com/fingerings/ba ... erings.php

If it was me, I'd do a few long, slow chromatic scales and try and determine if it's just D, or of there are any other "airy" notes which may help you identify the problem.

[LoriMassey]

Thank you so much for replying and for that great link.

After getting a few practices in, I think it might be a case of sort of lazy fingering on my part. This is an open-hole flute with the plugs in, but I've found that even with the plugs I have to center my finger right over the hole. Apparently I developed some bad habits during my years of playing a closed-hole flute, and they have come back to haunt me now! The worst is the middle finger on my left hand, which I tend to place on the very edge of the key.

It will be good for me to develop some better habits this time around. I'm really enjoying playing again!

Thanks again for replying.

[Fotofavoloso]

Take your flute to a reputable repair shop and have them check to see if it needs an adjustment. It sounds to me like your flute may be out of adjustment and the pads not closing properly.

ciao,
Mark