I’m trying to shift to the Nicholson grip, in order to free-up my rt hand. I tried this quite a few years ago
and couldn’t control the flute. Bit more successful this time. The idea is to move the rt thumb up the flute
so that it’s pressing sideways. This frees the rt pinky. One’s rt hand fingers are entirely free.
I’d like to hear from anyone who uses this a good deal. I’m still not sure I’m in control of the flute.
Where exactly do you put your thumb. Mine is going just to the left of the rt index finger.
I’ve got a rubber band around the flute just to the left of the Fsharp hole, so as to have
something tacky to press on.
Any advice, suggestions, pointers welcome. How do YOUR do this, if you do?
Remember that Nicholson also rotated the RH section of his flute forward (which is why his Long F key bent up rather than down).
I find even a little advance of the RH section dramatically helps with the three-point grip used in those days. Remember that the thumb should be straight and point into the flute. The RH fingers should be much straighter than normal, and be much more flexible.
If turning the RH isn’t an option (eg Prattens), turn the whole body out in reference to the head.
Nicholson would also have vented the Eb for most notes.
My grip is similar to Nicholson’s, but my right thumb is bent on the back (it doesn’t give enough resistence to keep it straight, but that’s just me), therefore pushing out with a wider surface. It’s not all the way on the side, more like 45 degrees (or probably more). Finger holes are in line and blow hole is turned in a bit. Right pinkie rests on the Eb key without pushing it (unless I need it of course).
I wanted to put this pictures under the [spoiler] function, but it doesn’t seem to work on this forum…
The most simple way I can describe the way I hold the flute, which appears to be like the Nicholson way, is that the left hand supports the flute. This is for a right handed player. If I didn’t have a right hand it would still be supported. The right thumb I use to push sideways into my lip. The right hand thumb is pointing toward the embouchure end and is more at the side of the flute. I find I can control the pressure against my lip rather than my lip chasing the flute. The fingers are more curved in the left hand and I play with the pads of my fingers that are under the nail. My fingers are short so the ring finger is almost straight. My right hand fingers are slightly curved and on my ring finger I use the first pad and the other fingers lay where they feel best. For a simple explanation this sure got long.
I am working towards it. On slow tunes when practicing to start with, but it is beginning to feel more stable. Oddly it seems easier on a flute with a very slightly smaller outside diameter than a wider one - I think perhaps the curve indents into the thumb. I don’t think I will be able to use the foot keys easily without that hold. It also helps if I get pins and needles (poor posture ) because I can wiggle all my fingers when playing ‘top hand’ phrases. I have been contemplating sticking something onto the flute where Nicholson put his ‘sealskin’ but it would be nice not to have to do that.
Can I take the opportunity to ask a question regarding Nicholson’s instructions for the top hand, with the flute " against the side of the first finger of the left hand, resting it nearly as high as the knuckles." (from Terry’s page). Knuckles seems ambigious (e.g. ‘the dorsal aspect of any phalangeal joint, or any similarly bent structure’) - http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/knuckle). I have taken this to mean above the first joint, so most finger movement happening from the second joint. is that what he means ? It seems to work for me.
interesting topic.
its something I am grappling with, too.
do you guys also turn out the right hand part like nicholson did?
I do…think I almost center-line up the closest to me outer edge of right hand finger holes with the top finger holes.
if that makes sense.
find this more easy to relax my right hand (and am a female…in case you didn’t know…)
right pinky is close to Eb key, on the ring, pressing outwards
thumb is under a bit sidewards to the left from the index finger, not fully.
As far as I understood the main point of the Nicholson grip is to help people in using the left hand in a more useful way possible.
Such a flute setting should let the player have great access to Bb key and to an easier rotation of the head for bending the notes…
I still find it quite extreme, but still ideally better than set the holes (left and right hands) in a row.
) because I can wiggle all my fingers when playing ‘top hand’ phrases. I have been contemplating sticking something onto the flute where Nicholson put his ‘sealskin’ but it would be nice not to have to do that.