Finger height above keys

Basics of Flute Playing, Tone Production and Fingerings

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sakuramimato
Posts: 95
Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2004 3:39 am

Finger height above keys

Post by sakuramimato »

How high above the keys should the fingers be placed?

I usually keep my fingers lightly rested on top of the keys (open hole flute), but my right hand tends to have a habit of resting on the rods of the flute and my finger motion tends to be slow, making my technique a little sloppy.

How far do you keep your fingers from the keys while you play?

ick27
Posts: 192
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 1:25 am

Post by ick27 »

It's best to keep your fingers close to the keys (resting on or just above the keys.) It's great that you are already in the habit of doing this, since it can be hard to change if your fingers are too high.

Your right hand fingers shouldn't rest on the rods however. To get your right hand working properly, try raising your right elbow a bit. Your elbow should be lower than your shoulder of course, but it shouldn't be right up against your body either. Raising your elbow will raise the middle of your fingers so they don't hit the rods. Whatever you do, don't roll the body of your flute back in your hands.. Let your left hand decide how the flute should be rolled and then put your right hand on. Also notice that the flute is not parallel to your shoulders, it should more forward on your right.

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