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#trills

  • A Better in Tune FG3 Trill

    Most of us use the FG3 trill that we first learned where we finger F3 and trill with our thumb. That trill is useful in most situations, but has the disadvantage of yielding a flat G3. What if we needed to play that trill in the orchestra in tune with an oboe? 

    Many flute players have requested this fingering repeatedly in the FLUTELIST forum, which I posted a few years ago (2004-09-22).

  • Dvorak Cello Concerto B3C#4 trill

    Antonín Dvořák's Cello Concerto, op.104 is a favorite among cellists, audiences, and flute players. It features the flute prominently in many solos and dialogues with the soloist.

    At the end of the first movement, in the first flute part, Dvořák writes a high B to high C# trill (B3C#4). Most flutists, including myself, tend to forget how to play that trill since it's seldom used in the flute repertoire. 

  • Mahler Symphony No. 5 B3C#4 & AB3 Trills

    Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) wrote his Symphony No. 5 in 1901-1902. This symphony is an often performed piece of the orchestral repertoire. It calls for four flutes; all of them doubling on piccolo (the 1st and 2nd flutes play piccolo for only 2 measures at the end of the Scherzo).

    At the end of the 5th movement, Rondo - Finale, 8 measures before number 35, all four flutes play two high trills in rapid succession.

  • Optional Flute Keys

    Many times I've been asked by students about the optional keys on the flute, and their pros and cons. Since many companies use different names for the same key, deciding what optional keys to choose when ordering a flute can be pretty daunting.

    Here is a list of the most common optional keys for the flute and some less common ones, as well.

  • The Carnival of the Animals

    Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) wrote Les Carnaval des Animaux - The Carnival of the Animals, in 1886.

    Of the 14 movements in this piece, 3 require a flute/piccolo: Aquarium, Volière and Final. The 10th movement, Volière (The Aviary), is both beautiful and technically challenging. The quickness of some of the passages call for alternative fingerings, which follow.

altissimo fingering & trill charts

Altissimo Flute Fingering & Trill Charts

The Altissimo Flute Fingering Chart & Altissimo Flute Trill Chart are the perfect companions to Alternative Fingerings for the Flute.

The Altissimo Flute Fingering Chart is a subset of the Quick Reference section of Alternative Fingerings for the Flute, intended for both students and professional flute players alike. The fingering chart displays fingerings from B0 to G4, with special emphasis on the high register. Printed on both sides and made of durable plastic material, it is the perfect size to fit in any flute case for quick reference.

The Altissimo Flute Trill Chart is a guide for all trills, including those seen less frequently. The trill chart features easy to follow fingerings from C1 to D4, and includes options for the C#-trill key. It is printed on a handy plastic card that fits in your flute case.