Trouble with D

blueevie · Post by **blueevie** » Sat Nov 28, 2009 6:02 pm

I have been learning the flute for about four months and I am having a lot of trouble going from C to D (3rd space on the staff to 4th line). I have to stop and check my fingers, otherwise i make a dreadful strangled note. Does anybody have any hints?

twiggy208 · Post by **twiggy208** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 4:08 am

What fingers do you have trouble with when changing notes?

All I can suggest is that you practise something like D major scale, or ever just repeating B,C,D,E,D,C,B to get your fingers in the habit of moving in that way. It shouldn't take long for your muscle memory to remember the change between the two notes and in no time at all you'll do it without thinking

Hope that helped

Callidor · Post by **Callidor** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 12:07 pm

It's an interesting transition because it requires you to "reverse" the position of every one of your fingers; the two fingers that are pressing keys for C are lifted for D, and all the other fingers, which are lifted for C, drop down for D. If you're having difficulty with the switch, it may mean that your fingers aren't all aligned with their respective keys when they're lifted up. Try to work on this alignment, maybe using a mirror. Remember that, even if a finger isn't pressing its key at a given time, it should be close to it, and directly above it. Hope this helps.

MathWizard · Post by **MathWizard** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 2:07 am

This has been a problem for many instruments. Usually referred to as the break. This is apparent on most woodwind instruments, as far as I know. This needs to be practiced a lot at the beginning of playing a woodwind instrument, and after a while, it will just get easier. Try doing the basic scales in the main octave and gradually speed up the scales as you get better at going over the break. It doesn't take long, so don't worry too much.

m3the01 · Post by **m3the01** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:14 am

Dont worry just give it some time, practice those scales!!!

Also, i know its not the transition exactly but it will help. Perfect fifths, specifically G and G#.

This would be

G->D->G(octave higher)

G#->D#->G#(octave higher)

The second one is extremely useful but really u should be doing all the perfect Fifths during warmups. Its quick and useful,