Fingering for the first D off of the staff?

Basics of Flute Playing, Tone Production and Fingerings

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Fluteplayer636
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Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2013 5:16 pm

Fingering for the first D off of the staff?

Post by Fluteplayer636 »

So, I just started high school this year. I was taught to finger the first D that is off of the staff the same way the D the octave below is fingered. But, when I got to high school, I realized that everyone that went to a different middle school than me fingers the D differently... (Like left hand middle finger, ring finger, and thumb.... And right hand: pointer finger, middle finger, ring finger, and pinky) Does it matter how I finger this? Does it make a different? Should I try and learn it the other way? Thanks! :D

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pied_piper
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Location: Virginia

Re: Fingering for the first D off of the staff?

Post by pied_piper »

Here are the correct fingerings for the first three Ds on the flute:
Ds.jpg
Ds.jpg (14 KiB) Viewed 7160 times
You can find fingerings for all the notes of the flute here:
http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/flute/
"Never give a flute player a screwdriver."
--anonymous--

Fluteplayer636
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Oct 01, 2013 5:16 pm

Re: Fingering for the first D off of the staff?

Post by Fluteplayer636 »

Hi! Thanks! But, what I was trying to say is that when I would finger the D like the one the octave below, I would make my air faster and get out the higher note. I understand the standard way is different. But does it make a difference?

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pied_piper
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Location: Virginia

Re: Fingering for the first D off of the staff?

Post by pied_piper »

What you are describing is called harmonics. When you keep the same fingering but overblow to the next octave, that is a harmonic. Harmonics are useful for practicing tone improvement, but for normal playing they should not be used. Occasionally, some music will indicate that you should use a harmonic for a different sound, but that will be indicated by a small circle above the note. For normal playing use the regular fingerings.
"Never give a flute player a screwdriver."
--anonymous--

evrmre
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Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 2:22 am

Re: Fingering for the first D off of the staff?

Post by evrmre »

It also depends on the flute, as to how different it sounds. Some flutes will go off pitch (flat is likely) with the fingering you're suggesting, while some will be little different. If you change flutes, this might cause issues for you at that point. aside from that, overblowing to get a straight note probably won't help your playing in the long term, as it will form bad habits.

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