Another Exam Question, Fingering Options

[mcentee2]

Hi...latest installment....

Are examiners hot on correct fingering ?

My Ab Maj arpeggio is suffering with top Ab at the moment with standard fingering of left thumb/first off, left 2nd/3rd on, but is much easier with an extended fingering of the standard plus right 3 and 4 (hope this makes sense). I don't notice any loss of tone doing it this way and would like to be able to use it rather than the standard, but not, of course, if the examiner is looking out for it!

Also, I can understand if they were hot on correct fingering for things like lifting left 1st for D and Eb, or maybe even wanting correct fingering for arpeggios but allow alternatives in the pieces for tonal/intonations effect.

Cheers
Richard

[andante_in_c]

Are we talking about flute here?

If so, then I always encourage students to use the 'long' fingering for the Ab major and G# minor arpeggios. It is an alternative fingering, so nothing to do with 'correctness'. It is slightly flat, but it is so easy to overblow the standard fingering in an attempt to get the note to come out that often the long fingering is better in tune. The correct fingering here is the one that does the job best, and the long fingering leads to a better result.

The first finger down for middle D/Eb is a different issue, as there is a significant degradation of tone. The big NO NO is keeping the first finger down for top G#/Ab. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

[mcentee2]

Many thanks - yes this is the flute - apologies, I still forget that this is a woodwind forum from time to time!

Yes, my point wasn't that clear now I read back, but I agree the correct fingering for D/Eb is a must, but I wasn't sure about the "alternatives" for other notes.

Glad to hear the long Ab is ok - it really is so much easier, especially for piano but need to watch the intonation - just now need to practice to get speed up to scratch.

Thanks
Richard

[sarah-flute]

Showing my ignorance - what is the long fingering for Ab?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

[andante_in_c]

Showing my ignorance - what is the long fingering for Ab?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

Add the same fingers in the right hand as you have down in the left (middle, ring, little in both hands).

[sarah-flute]

Ahhh, OK - going to have to try that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[sags_3]

I get told off for using the long fingering by default in very tricky passages in the top register.....Just done it for so long I cant stop!