Having recently got a 6 key flute . I wonder when should one use the Long f as opposed to the short f key,
Ballygo
You should use long F whenever it’s easier in a particular passage than short F. Of course, Nicholson (I think it was Nicholson) never wanted a long F key…so you may never feel the need to use the long F.
Eric
Sliding up from D to F nat. Can’t do it with the short F.
Yes to the above. It was added chiefly to facilitate D-F fingerings and other combinations using an F key where R3 would be coming from or going to the E tone-hole/D fingering (R3 hole) - so fingerings involving C nat at the top of the 2nd 8ve (which is fingered xox xx + an F nat and Eb keys open) can also make good use of the long F. Certain key signatures/modes will push you more to use of one or other F nat key according to the note sequences they tend to throw up. D minor and equivalents, for example, will lead to good use of the long F for both F naturals and upper C naturals. If you want to do a roll on E cut with an F natural it is usually best to use the long F. Etc.
Years ago when I first switched to 8-key from Boehm system I annotated much of my sheet music for baroque sonatas etc with which F key to use (including for venting F#s to get them nearer in tune) - I wrote L for “left” = long F and R for “right” = short F above the notes in question, having examined the passages for which would be best in context. I did a similar thing for when to use the upper C natural key and when to use cross fingered C natural at the top of the 1st 8ve - annotating K for key and X for cross-fingering.
Good luck!
I use both about equally. I think I’m on the long F more on the way up, and the short on the way down. I use short as well for tunes with arpeggiated figures, such as the third part of The Flogging Reel. I’ll use the long F if I’m going to do an ornament on F, usually a short 2-finger cran. Hope that helps. Cheers,
Rob
I use the long F as my key of choice - and only use the short F for those rare situations when the note sequence doesn’t allow the long F.
I’ve found that using the short F alot can cause it to rock in it’s block and then not close fully.
Love the long F!
P
Thanks for the help everyone
BG