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Basic Fingerings on Flute: First Scale Patterns and Note Changes

Capítulo 6

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

How Flute Fingerings Work (Beginner Map)

Flute fingerings are combinations of closed and open keys that change the effective length of the air column. For beginners, the goal is not speed first—it is consistent key closure, minimal finger motion, and clean note changes (no extra “clicks” or half-covered leaks).

Finger names (use these labels in drills)

Left hand (LH): thumb = LT, index = L1, middle = L2, ring = L3
Right hand (RH): index = R1, middle = R2, ring = R3, pinky = RP

Key groups you will use in this chapter

Main finger keys: the large round keys under L1–L3 and R1–R3
Left-hand thumb key: the back key operated by LT
Right-hand pinky keys: a small cluster near the footjoint; for now you will mostly use RP on E♭ key for certain notes

How to close keys gently (no tension, no slapping)

Think “touch and seal”, not “press hard.” The pad must seal the tone hole; extra force does not improve the seal.
Let fingers fall from a small height: 1–3 mm above the key is enough.
Keep fingertips curved and stable; avoid flattening fingers across multiple keys.

Quick leak checks (when a note feels airy or unstable)

Paper test (gentle): place a thin strip of paper under a suspect key (teacher/partner can help). If the key is truly closed, the paper should resist sliding out.
One-finger-at-a-time reseal: while holding the fingering, lightly “re-seat” each finger (tiny extra closure) and listen: if the note suddenly clears, that finger was leaking.
Mirror check: watch for fingers that lift high or land off-center on the key cup.

Left-Hand Thumb (LT): Simple, Reliable Use

For the first notes, your LT will usually stay down on the thumb key. Keep the thumb relaxed and stable; avoid squeezing the flute between thumb and fingers. If your thumb feels tense, reduce pressure and focus on sealing the key with minimal force.

Default for this chapter: LT down unless a fingering explicitly says otherwise.
Thumb placement: pad of the thumb on the key, not the tip; keep it quiet during changes.

Foundational Notes: One New Note at a Time

Learn each note in three steps: (1) fingering → (2) silent placement → (3) sound. Do not rush to play; the silent step builds accurate muscle memory and reduces key noise.

Symbol	Meaning
●	Key closed (finger down)
○	Key open (finger up)
—	Finger not used / leave relaxed above its key

Hand map template (use for every note)

LH:  LT  L1  L2  L3     RH:  R1  R2  R3  RP

When you see a fingering, set it up silently first, then add sound.

Note 1: B (B4)

Fingering

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LH:  LT●  L1●  L2●  L3●     RH:  R1○  R2○  R3○  RP—

Silent placement

Place LT, then L1–L3 down in order (LT → L1 → L2 → L3).
Check that RH fingers hover close to their keys (do not let them fly away).
Gently tap L1–L3 once (very small motion) to confirm centered contact.

Sound

Start the air stream, then let the note speak.
Listen for a stable pitch and a clear start without extra key clicks.

Note 2: A (A4)

Fingering

LH:  LT●  L1●  L2●  L3○     RH:  R1○  R2○  R3○  RP—

Silent placement

Set B first, then lift only L3 to reach A.
Keep L3 hovering close above its key (minimal lift).

Sound

Keep air steady while changing from B to A (no “resetting” the breath).
Listen: the change should be clean, not breathy.

Note 3: G (G4)

Fingering

LH:  LT●  L1●  L2●  L3○     RH:  R1●  R2●  R3●  RP—

Silent placement

From A, place R1–R3 down together as a relaxed “group.”
Check that RH fingertips land on the centers of the key cups.

Sound

Hold the air steady and let the fingers do the work.
If G sounds airy, suspect a leak in RH keys: reseat R1, then R2, then R3.

Note 4: F (F4) (easy beginner fingering)

Fingering (simple F)

LH:  LT●  L1●  L2●  L3○     RH:  R1●  R2●  R3○  RP—

Silent placement

From G, lift only R3.
Keep R3 hovering close (do not straighten the finger).

Sound

Listen for a clear change from G to F without a “hiss.”
If the note cracks or feels unstable, check that R1 and R2 are fully sealed.

Note 5: E (E4)

Fingering

LH:  LT●  L1●  L2●  L3○     RH:  R1●  R2○  R3○  RP● (E♭ key)

Silent placement

From F, lift R2 and keep R1 down.
Place RP on the E♭ key gently (do not hook or squeeze).

Sound

Maintain steady air; avoid “pushing” harder to make E speak.
Listen for key noise: RP should move quietly and minimally.

Note 6: D (D4)

Fingering

LH:  LT●  L1●  L2●  L3○     RH:  R1○  R2○  R3○  RP● (E♭ key)

Silent placement

From E, lift R1 while keeping RP down.
Hover RH fingers close to the keys even when they are “open.”

Sound

Listen for a clean D that is not fuzzy. If fuzzy: reseat L1 and L2 first (common leak points).

Two-Note Changes (Clean Transitions First)

For each pair, practice in three layers: silent changes → slow sound changes → even pulses. Your main tools are hover fingers (minimal lift) and steady air (do not stop the air between notes).

Drill format

Silent: finger the first note, then change to the second note with no sound, repeating 8 times.
Slow sound: play first note for 4 counts, change to second note for 4 counts. Repeat 4 times.
Pulses: alternate notes in steady quarter notes at a slow tempo (e.g., 60 bpm), 16 times.

Pair 1: B ↔ A (only L3 moves)

Goal: L3 lifts and returns with almost no height.
Listen: no “thunk” when L3 lands; no airy A (leak from L1/L2 if hand shifts).

Pair 2: A ↔ G (RH group lands together)

Goal: R1–R3 move as a coordinated set, not one-by-one late fingers.
Hover-finger tip: keep RH fingers close even on A so the drop to G is tiny.

Pair 3: G ↔ F (only R3 moves)

Goal: R3 lifts without pulling R2 with it.
Quick check: if F is weak, reseat R1 and R2; if G is weak, reseat R3 when it returns.

Pair 4: F ↔ E (R2 + RP coordination)

Goal: R2 lifts while RP comes down quietly (or stays down if you choose to keep RP down for both notes during early practice).
Noise control: practice RP motion alone silently: tap RP down/up 10 times with minimal sound.

Pair 5: E ↔ D (R1 moves; RP stays)

Goal: R1 lifts and returns without changing RH hand position.
Listen: D should not “drop out.” If it does, check L1/L2 seal—sometimes the LH shifts when RH opens.

Three-Note Patterns (Build Smoothness)

Use these patterns to connect finger changes. Keep the air stream continuous and let fingers change on top of it.

Pattern 1: B–A–B

Silent first: B (set) → A (lift L3) → B (return L3).
Sound: hold each note for 2 counts, then shorten to 1 count.

Pattern 2: A–G–A

Focus: RH lands together for G and releases together for A.
Hover fingers: keep RH close during A so the move to G is small.

Pattern 3: G–F–E

Focus: R3 lifts for F, then R2 lifts and RP comes down for E.
Key-noise listening: aim for the same volume of key sound on each change (ideally very quiet).

Pattern 4: G–F–G

Focus: R3 returns cleanly to seal the key; avoid “half landing.”
Leak check: if returning to G sounds airy, slow down and feel R3 seal fully.

Four-Note Scale Patterns (First Range for Beginners)

Now connect notes into short scale-like fragments. Start slowly; accuracy and clean changes matter more than speed.

Pattern A (descending): G–F–E–D

Step-by-step: set G → lift R3 for F → lift R2 and place RP for E → lift R1 for D (RP stays).
Drill: play each note for 2 counts, then 1 count, then in steady quarter notes.
Listen: each note should “lock in” immediately; if E or D is fuzzy, check RP placement and LH seals.

Pattern B (ascending): D–E–F–G

Step-by-step: from D → place R1 for E (RP stays) → place R2 and lift RP for F → place R3 for G.
Coordination tip: practice the middle change E→F silently: R2 down while RP releases (quietly).

Pattern C (five-note extension): D–E–F–G–A

Step-by-step: build up to A by releasing RH keys together from G to A.
Common issue: A can go airy if RH fingers lift too high and the hand shifts—keep RH hovering close even when open.

Pattern D (six-note extension): D–E–F–G–A–B

Step-by-step: from A to B, only L3 comes down.
Clean-change goal: the A→B change should sound like a smooth step, not a bump.

Transition Drills for Smooth, Quiet Changes

1) Hover Fingers Drill (minimal lift)

Choose a pair (e.g., G↔F).
Play slowly while watching in a mirror: fingers should lift only slightly.
Repeat 8 times, then switch to another pair.

2) Steady-Air Change Drill (no breath reset)

Pick a three-note pattern (e.g., G–F–E).
Hold a continuous, even air stream while changing fingers very slowly.
Listen: the sound should change pitch cleanly without a gap or extra hiss.

3) Key-Noise Awareness Drill (clean mechanics)

Finger the pattern silently first and aim for near-silent key motion.
Then play it softly; if key clicks are louder than the tone, reduce finger height and pressure.

4) “Freeze and Check” Drill (stop tension early)

Play D–E–F–G slowly.
Freeze on each note and scan: are shoulders relaxed, are fingers curved, is LT calm, is RP gentle?
If you feel gripping, lighten finger pressure while keeping keys sealed.

Now answer the exercise about the content:

When practicing the note change F ↔ E on flute, what finger coordination is the main goal for a clean, quiet transition?

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The clean F↔E change focuses on coordinating R2 lifting with RP coming down quietly (or staying down at first), while keeping finger motion minimal and air steady.