By Shelley Collins
Posted with permission.
Jo Hays wrote:
> I currently play my scales, thirds and arpeggios from lowest C to highest
B (C4 - B6). My flute professor has suggested I extend them to lowest B and
highest D (B3 - D7). I have been working on this over the summer, but I am
finding it very difficult to get around gracefully up there. It's frustrating
to be stymied by "just adding a couple more notes."
>
> I would appreciate any help you could offer on this.
Hi, Jo,
I first had to play my scales up to high D when I was in grad school, and
it
was very difficult at first! (Any other ASU grads on this list remember the
dreaded "Scale-O-Matic?" :)
Here are some tips I've learned:
1. Minimize pinky movement. For example, if you are playing B-C-D, don't bother with the gizmo. This gives you time to get your pinky over to the C# and C keys (right hand 4) for the high D and is one less "fussy" step to get in the way. (Purists might be horrified, and I'm sure you'll get responses from folks who CAN play all of the so-called "real" fingerings...but I'm just sharing what worked for me, and what SOUNDED best.) :)
2. Identify "anchor fingers." In other words, which fingers "stay put" during difficult finger combinations? I find this approach very helpful from high C to D, focusing on "anchoring" L3 and R1. Somehow it ads a little stability to those awkward finger combinations.
3. Sometimes the difficulty is in the sheer effort required (at first) to get out those altissimo notes. I sometimes give my students my dreaded " Taktakishvili Etude." I have them play the series of high C's (last 10 measures or so of the 1st mvt of the Taktak. Sonata). Then, after a moment of rest, they do the same exercise again, now transposed to C-SHARPS! We try to play this mini-etude up to high E..or even up to F. (Suddenly that high D doesn't seem so difficult!) :)
4. If you are doing a lot of high note practice, I urge you to wear earplugs. It's LOUD up there, and you don't want to damage your hearing.
5. Fluency of new fingerings takes a lot of time. This is normal! A few years back, I took a baroque flute class and was often frustrated by how slowly my fingers "remembered" the correct fingerings. I'm glad I went through the experience of learning a new fingering system, as it made me much more aware of what my students are going through as they learn new notes. You might try practicing the new notes SLOWLY, as relaxed as possible, even without the flute (to give yourself a rest and to let you focus on your fingers). Whatever you do, don't slam your fingers on the keys! Keep them relaxed, and they will eventually move more easily.
6. And while you're quoting Trevor Wye, remember the statement he uses (for double-tonguing, if I recall)..."little and often." That might be good advice for those high notes as well, so you don't get tired out or tense up on D7!
Just my two cents. Good luck, and congrats for starting lessons and working towards that degree! :)
Shelley
--
Shelley Collins, M.M., Director of Flute Studies
Seattle Pacific University, Department of Music
http://www.shelleycollins.com
scollins@spu.edu -or-
president@seattleflutesociety.org
