OK, so I have a question. I was an old HS alto sax player, who taught myself how to play flute (as most of you probably know, the fingerings are very similar) among other instruments many years ago. Now, that I've picked my flute up again after about 15 years to play at church, I'm forgetting some things.
My question is: Does the right pinky HAVE to be on the D# key most of the time, or can it just rest on the flute itself? Does it change the sound/tone at all with it not there? Is it a preferred position, but not required? I'm having a heck of a time remembering to put my pinky on the D# and am more comfortable with it resting just under the D#. I've been trying to practice both ways, but keep going back to the way I'm comfortable.
Advice please!
Thanks in advance,
Jen
RH Pinky Placement
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
From what I recall (I'm just now getting back in as well, so I'm open to correction), yes, it does make a difference; it affects the pitch a little bit on some notes, affects the tone on others, and I think it makes a big difference on some of the notes in the higher registers.
Another very important point - it provides another point of contact to keep the flute positioned when most of your fingers are off the keys - C & C# for instance, as well as several of the higher register notes.
Lastly, if your finger is under the D# (E flat) key, you have an extra movement to perform when you need to play the note (and E flat is a very common note); it's more efficient to have it already there, especially for the faster passages.
Another very important point - it provides another point of contact to keep the flute positioned when most of your fingers are off the keys - C & C# for instance, as well as several of the higher register notes.
Lastly, if your finger is under the D# (E flat) key, you have an extra movement to perform when you need to play the note (and E flat is a very common note); it's more efficient to have it already there, especially for the faster passages.