Low C

remnantpark · Post by **remnantpark** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 7:00 pm

Does anyone have any tip to help me stretch my right hand because I have trouble playing Low c on the open-hole flute because I can't reach very well. I am born with naturally small hands so I can't even reach an octave on the piano and I've played for 8 years.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 8:05 pm

Without seeing your hands and the flute, the only option I can suggest
right now is to try rotating the foot-joint slightly towards you and see
if you can reach it easier that way.
Given the tendancy of the ring finger to follow across you might also
want to plug that hole to prevent rolling off the seal when you stretch
for C.

mark

remnantpark · Post by **remnantpark** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 8:54 pm

The problem is...I lost most of the plugs

I only have 2 plugs left. And I need both for the right had because surpringly, the last 3rd giner on the right hand is easier for me rather than the 2nd finger (trust me, it goes all over the place).

apicultrice · Post by **apicultrice** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 10:14 pm

Hi! Turning the footjoint might help you, but I have an exercise that comes from Trevor Wye that might also be helpful.

So, the sequence of notes to play goes like this. Starting in the low octave, you'll play:

D-Eb-D-Db-D (quarter-quarter-quarter-quarter-whole)

Play Ds and Ebs with regular fingerings. To finger the Dbs, though, instead of putting your pinky on the paddle to finger it regularly, reach all the way down to the actual Db/C# key to play the note. Depress the key with your pinky and then return to the D.

Now, this is not exactly comfortable, but it will help you to 1) keep your pinky curved and relaxed and 2) find that low Cs will be easier to reach. Watch your thumb to be sure that you're not wiggling around and don't let your hand become overly tense. Keep a nice, centered tone throughout.

Hope this is helpful! This is my first post, by the way. Hi! I've been lurking for a couple of days. Mark, if you're the Mark I'm thinking of, I bought a headjoint from you a year or two ago! The Williams hybrid. It still plays like a dream.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:23 am

thanks for lending a hand with that exercise...

and no.. I am afraid that I am not the Mark you are thinking of

good to meet you here though.

mark

apicultrice · Post by **apicultrice** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 11:41 am

Well, I guess it's possible that there's more than one Mark in Texas!

MonikaFL · Post by **MonikaFL** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 9:39 pm

I have tiny hands as well (an octave is all I can do on the piano). I found that flattening my RH ring finger when I play low C#, C, or B helps me reach. Trying to keep the fingers slightly curved just does not work.

You know, come to think of it, I think I keep that finger a bit straighter than the rest most of the time. Hmmm... but it's always relaxed, curved or not!