Hello,
I’ve been playing the flute for a number of years, and I’m upgrading to a higher quality instrument.
I’ve ordered three keys (C, G#, and F) and only realized fairly recently that there were two F keys, a short one played with the right hand, and a long one played with the left hand.
Knowing that I play almost exclusively Irish music, I’m wondering which one to get.
I have just joined the forum and am looking forward to having various opinions, so that I can form my own.
Thanks in advance
Jean-Philippe
Bienvenue chez nous, Jean-Philippe!
I personally use the short key more than the long key, if I had to choose. I am not sure that I have ever seen a long F key without the short F as well. I am sure one exists but I have never seen it. I guess that says something.
Would recommend both, if you are in a position be able to afford it. Otherwise, I use the short F key the most. It is sure nice to have both however, if possible .
Both. Unless you want to stumble around an Fnat to D fingering (which is the purpose for the long d key).
For practice, and warming up, I use the short F on the way up the chromatic scale and the long F on the way down - I use the long F about 30% of the time - the short F the the rest because the repertoire I play is in fairly normal keys - but without the long F I’d be scrambling for how to play certain intervals. If you’re playing in the keys of C, Dmin, Amin, F, Bb, Gmin or Eb you’ll need the long F. These are all fairly standard keys for the repertoire.
If 3 keys are all you can afford, I’d drop the C and go with both Fs and the G#. I so rarely used the C key - I much prefer the cross fingered C naturals myself (and you have a variety to choose from depending on the flute.
Eric
JPN: In my last post, I neglected to mention that some makers will add keys, if you so desire and as you can afford them. Sounds as though you have ordered your new flute–you might check with your maker and see if adding keys at a future time is an option. I ordered a keyless flute (actually, it came with one key, Eb). I played it for a little over a year and then I had keys added–the maker of my flute had the option of adding keys at a later date. I have Eb, C, both F keys, G# and Bb. I’m one of those who love the keys and I’m aware that there are others on the forum that don’t–to each their own, I would suppose.
I would choose short F, g #, and Bb if I has to choose three keys.
I would really want the Eflat as well, though as a minimum.
I have the full kit and use them all but we all have different musical needs, even if we only play Irish music.
I have seen a few Murray flutes with long f, g#, and C keys.
Nicholson apparently found the long f superfluous and I have never seen an antique maker omit the short F but have seen long F omitted.
Both. Unless you want to stumble around an Fnat to D fingering (which is the purpose for the long d key).
Sorry for any confusion - I meant long F key.
Cancel the C key, get a Bb key instead, and the long F. Reason: long F is operated by your left pinky (or right if you’re playing left-handed), which doesn’t have any other job save pressing the G# key. F-to-D/D-to-F movements (which aren’t really nice with a short F key) happen a lot more often than G#-to-F movements (which isn’t really possible with a long F key as long as we’re talking tradiitonal key shapes and positions, and F-to-G# is easy by the way), so it’s the long F you want. Getting both is nice, and you also need C and Eb and low C#/C then because, well…because, but if you’re only getting three keys, get G#, Bb and long F. Takes a bit more work getting used to, as the left pinky F isn’t really in line with the right hand notes in its neighborhood, but it is totally worth it. You probably never need another F key once you mastered the long F’s use.
No need to ‘stumble’ with the right short F key!
If you’re playing in the keys of C, Dmin, Amin, F, Bb, Gmin or Eb you’ll need the long F.
No, you won’t. It might be nice, but you don’t need it. And I don’t have it because I can’t use it.
So, sure, I might have a long F if could use it, but I don’t miss it because I can’t. Though I’d advise a short F built to withstand the sideways stresses of regular F/D/F and F/Eb/F movements if (like me) you’re attracted by them…
I have my short F key built with a roller to make sliding onto the key smoother. I have also seen them angled for the same reason but I really like the roller. Peter Noy put it on my flute when I had a six keyed flute built by him.
There are flutes with the short F key only:
Seamus Egan
(although not sure if he ever uses any of the keys…)
What is this roller thing?
The long F key enables you to do easily enough everything you are ever likely to need to do, so if I had to have just one of the two it would be that one.
As to the short F roller if you go to Peter Noy’s website and click on the short F roller option it will show you a photo. My roller is a little longer however but still the same concept.
Interesting. I didn’t know about this.
Really, there is no right answer based on what you’ve provided us.
A good flute will serve you for a lifetime and you can pass it along to other lifetimes.
I didn’t know what keys I’d need when I started on wooden flute.
So didn’t know the answer myself.
Tonight we previewed some waltzes for an upcoming gig.
I used all six keys on my Olwell, a lot.
I have six on my McGee too.
Yes, I could function without the long C, but no way would I want to now.
I use that and cross-fingering about equally. Depending.
And if I had to choose, I’d go with the short F. And yes, surely angled touch for that.
But I’m not Nicholson, who turned his RH middle section way far forward
…and so probably couldn’t reach the long F touch anyway.
So I appreciate having both. He probably never played Julia Delaney.
Eb is essential to some of the tunes I often do.
Also helps tune other notes. If that matters.
With much hesitance…here’s what I’d say.
If you know for sure you are only going to play Irish tunes in certain keys and that’s all, forever.
Or if you aren’t investing much in the instrument anyway.
Go for the short F.
Otherwise, go for six keys. It won’t limit you and you can re-sell it for more later if it comes to that.
I am genuinely curious. Why did makers not switch to the long F (I’m thinking French five key makers, cheaper models from American and English makers) if the long F is the only F one needs.
Is it tradition?
I view the long F as a luxury, nice to have but not essential.
It would be the last key I would have.
Most ordering a five key would leave it off and have c.
My first keyed flute the long f leaked, so I just taped it. Since I always avoid the long f unless it really helps a phrase, despite having all keys working. It is the key I use least.
For me it’s just habit.
Most, I think, would omit the C. Or, at least, I would - maybe some makers will chime in on this, regarding 5-key orders. To me, the long F is extremely useful, as already mentioned, when descending to D, where the short F can be a bit clumsy. The C, on the other hand, is, IMO, the least necessary - use it if you have it, but necessary? Not really.