Rt hand Bb touch?

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 2:32 pm

I have this reservation about the rt hand Bb touch, FWIW.
I've seen this only on one flute, so I don't know if this
is universal--anyhow I've played this one a good deal.

Because the rt hand Bb touch is (on the flute I'm thinking of)
beneath the C natural
key, the latter is a bit shorter than it usually is, in order
to make room. And this, for me, anyhow, makes the
C natural key a bit harder to reach and to use, so that there are
passages where I would otherwise use it but I can't if there's
the Bb touch. I find the C natural key very useful indeed,
including ornamentation, so this is a real consideration for me.

On the other hand the Bb touch is nice, however I'm
seldom using a Bb key. Also I find Bb the note on
the flute I can most easily and profitably (in
terms of nuance) half-hole.

Impressions?

eilam · Post by **eilam** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 4:36 pm

Jim, i'm with you.
my R&R (#3836 i think) has a double Bb touch, and i don't really care for it.
i have to turn the right hand joint more out, in order for my key not to be in the way of my RH index finger..
i too, find it a bit in the way of the C key.
the regular Bb touch is fine, and i like it.
eilam.

Whistlin'Dixie · Post by **Whistlin'Dixie** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 6:18 pm

The only music I ever play (barring the occasional Christmas Carol or Olde Man River) is Irish Trad, and I have had little if any occasion to use the Bb key.

So, your MMV, but I do like and use the Cnat key when I play a flute that has one. I wouldn't want anything to get in the way of that particular key.

M

p.s. Just watched my new gift, a DVD of The Devil Wears Prada, my guiltiest secret pleasure of 2006!!!!!!!!! Happy Christmas to y'all! (Hi, Jack!)

Hornpiper · Post by **Hornpiper** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 6:29 pm

I'm on the list for a new Grinter that's due to arrive hopefully in June or July, and I've asked to have a right hand Bb put on instead of the normal left hand one, primarily because I hold the flute flat-fingered and can't reach the normal Bb key. We'll see how it turns out - can't wait!

Ben

Henke · Post by **Henke** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 12:30 pm

I think the normal, short Bb key is fine for the rare occation that I need to use it.
I've never played a flute with the long Bb touch, but I can't imagine me prefering that, especially considering the fact that I use the Cnat key at least ten times more often.

bepoq · Post by **bepoq** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 5:14 pm

I think that the left hand key is well placed and easy to use if you use a curved fingered left hand grip as I do. I use it a fair bit and I also play pretty well exclusively Irish trad - consider East Galway repertoire. I think that a right handed key is invaluable for those flute players that use a straight fingered grip that stops them reaching the left thumb key with any facility.

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 5:37 pm

A question I have is whether the shortening
of the C nat key I see on my flute with a rt hand
Bb touch is common to flutes with that arrangement.
Or is it just mine?

Maybe there's a way to fit them both on there that
leaves the c nat as long and accessible as before?

Ah, eilam notes the same problem.

fyffer · Post by **fyffer** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 10:33 pm

Interesting thread, as I've been considering having keys added to my flute, and one of the debates I'm having with myself concerns the placement of the Bb key. I think the main objection I have with having *any* key for the left thumb is that I'm originally a sax player, and the thumb is *only* used for the octave key. And for the same reason, the Bb touch is a natural desire for a saxophonist. So, does anyone have one and use it? I'd have to really think about all the possible transitions before committing, Bb to C-nat being the primary, followed closely by Bb to D, which would be a lot of motion for a RH touch Bb, I think.
Anyway, I hope this thread continues with some valuable input, as I'm very curious ...

fluti31415 · Post by **fluti31415** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 10:45 pm

jim stone wrote:A question I have is whether the shortening
of the C nat key I see on my flute with a rt hand
Bb touch is common to flutes with that arrangement.
Or is it just mine?

Maybe there's a way to fit them both on there that
leaves the c nat as long and accessible as before?

Ah, eilam notes the same problem.

Shortening the C is not required with a Bb touch. I used to have an old flute with a rh Bb, C and E (I think -- it seemed that it played a kind of out of tune high E) key on the right hand, and the C was not shortened.

FWIW -- Since oboe is my main instrument, I am used to using the right hand to raise the A to a a Bb, and I would love to have a rh Bb on my flute. But I use my flute for more than just Irish trad. I hardly ever use the Bb for ITM.

michael_coleman · Post by **michael_coleman** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 5:36 pm

I wish I had a Bb touch on my flute. I am accustomed to playing saxophone and it uses fingering similar to a saxophone Bb. Also, I've been plaing some bluegrass music that uses the Bb key a lot and I've thought how much easier it would be on my left hand if I didn't have the short Bb key. I have never used one on a flute though, so it would have to be placed in a not so peculiar place for my approval.

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 6:04 pm

I repeat (this will not be so helpful, I'm afraid) that
half-holing the Bb is a snap, IMO. Just plunk down
L2 on the lower edge of the A-note hole. Also I play blues
occasionally and the half hole enables me to
shade the note. The Bb key is rarely of help to me,
less so than any other key on a six-keyed D flute.

Post by **Nanohedron** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 6:20 pm

Being a gearhead, I do regret that I didn't think to ask Peter Noy if he made double Bb touches. The right-hand touch might have been of use to me as I use the so-called "piper's grip". So, I often do my Bb by crossfingering. These work on my flute:

Lower octave:
x o x x x x

Upper octave:
x o x o x o

Lower octave done that way is good enough, I think, and the upper octave is great. I do more half-holeing of the Bb if I'm going for the "nyah".

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 7:24 pm

Thanks, helpful fingerings.

I think one can half hole Bb with piper's grip too.

Whistlin'Dixie · Post by **Whistlin'Dixie** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 7:41 pm

I think half holing Bb works best, even if you do have the key.

M

Jim Troy · Post by **Jim Troy** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 11:11 pm

okay , i'll ask the question .

what's the touch thing ? like , what's the difference between a touch and a key ?
i've been playing keyed instruments since the year dot , and i've only come across this "touch " since taking up the flute .
thanks , jim troy