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Written by Alex Hall on 2025-01-04 at 21:14

Can a flute player please describe which keys are which notes on a flute? All I can find are images or videos that aren't accessible. I can't seem to find any plain text that says where to put my fingers and what to press to get which note. I know basic music theory already. Thanks in advance!

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Descendants

Written by Erik Ellestad on 2025-01-04 at 21:31

@alexhall Assuming you mean a standard Western Concert flute, how about this webpage? https://www.amromusic.com/flute-fingering-chart

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Written by Alex Hall on 2025-01-04 at 21:39

@ellestad That's the kind I mean, yes. I should have put that in my post. The link seems to be for an image-based chart, though. I'm looking for text that explains the starting position and which keys do what from there, since I can't see the images or videos that explain this.

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Written by Erik Ellestad on 2025-01-04 at 22:55

@alexhall I'm a sax player, but modern saxophones and flutes both use what is called the "Boehm" system for fingering. All the keys down results in the lowest note, all the keys open is the highest note. There is usually a register key on the back, when it is pushed, your notes will sound an octave higher. As you open keys moving from the bottom of the flute towards the mouthpiece, you will move up the scale. Not sure of the details for accidentals on the flute, but in general it is good to start by training your breath and playing longer tones. Get a metronome or metronome and pitch app. Spend some time every day and try not to get frustrated.

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Written by Alex Hall on 2025-01-05 at 00:49

@ellestad I've played guitar and bass for a long time, but never a breath instrument. I tried recorder a few months ago, which led me to the tin whistle. Now, because of looking up whistle videos, Youtube is convinced I want to play the flute, too. I have a very old flute, so I figured I may as well give it a shot.

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Written by Erik Ellestad on 2025-01-05 at 01:32

@alexhall (Depending on what you mean by "old", you do have to be careful of older wind instruments. Before, say, 1940-50, there wasn't exact agreement on concert pitch. If your flute is from the 1920s or 1930s you'll want to be sure it is called something like "Low Pitch" or "LP", or it might not be very close to A=440. A "High Pitch" or "HP" instrument is gonna be closer to A=465.)

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Written by Alex Hall on 2025-01-05 at 01:38

@ellestad That's really neat. I thought A=440 was a much older standard. This one is from the nineties, and the pads are so old and sticky that I'm considering getting a cheap one from Amazon instead just so I don't set myself up for failure.

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Written by Erik Ellestad on 2025-01-06 at 16:20

@alexhall Well, it's easy to get pads replaced, but may be cheaper to get a new student level flute.

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