Those Pesky B-Flat Fingerings!

by Patricia Surman, DMA

It is one of those fingering issues that many flute teachers assume that their students
already understand and band directors may not really be aware of, but which leaves students their
own devices. In my musical life, I find that most students and professionals alike that do not
fully utilize the three B-flat fingerings. We all know that composers place great technical
demands on flutists, and being fluent in fingering choices will serve to increase a players
technical facility. This article will provide a best practice model for choosing between each of
the three B-flat fingerings in a musical context and supply the student with exercises for
developing their B-flat fingering fluency.

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The
three B-flat

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1+1 or Long Bb

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Most fingering charts list the 1+1 B-flat as the default fingering, and it is widely accepted

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Flute

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as the first one for beginner flutists to learn. It is a good fingering choice to for first-year players
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because it provides a great deal of stability in holding the instrument and at the same time, it is
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an open note. Young students typically find that the lack of resistance makes it easier to get their
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first sounds. Although this is most commonly the first B-flat fingering learned, it is the least
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often needed by flutists who use all three fingerings.

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2/5/12 4:49 PM

2/5/12 4:48 PM

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Once a student has the basic fingerings mastered, it is necessary to introduce the other
two fingerings. The composer Guilio Briccaldi added the Thumb B-flat key in 1849. This
fingering should be the students first choice, it can be used when when playing in keys that use

2/5/12 4:49 PM

B-flats or A-sharps but do not use B-naturals or C-flats. It should be used by leaving the thumb
in the B-flat position on the other notes that require the thumb to be depressed, such as A, G, or
F, etc. There are only two instances in which a flutist cannot use the Thumb B-flat: when moving
from B-flat to B-natural, and when playing a third octave F-sharp/G-flat. The Thumb B-flat
fingering is quite useful when playing in flat keys up to five flats, but use caution when playing g
minor passages in the third octave because of the possibility of F-sharps.
What about the lever key? Originally added to the flute in 1800, it is the most underutilized fingering, but once a player gets in the habit of using the lever key, it is almost
indispensible. This key should be used whenever there is chromatic motion from B-flat to Bnatural. During ascending chromatic passages, flutists can lean on the lever key in anticipation of
the approaching B-flat (a technique referred to as a prepared fingering). This might seem
awkward at first, but once this technique is mastered, you will not ever turn back!
Mastery of all three B-flat fingerings is an essential part of the development of technical
proficiency on the flute. Here are some exercises that will help you become fluent. This excerpt
www.flutetunes.com

from Giuseppe Garaboldis Etude in F major,

Op. 132/2
that illustrates the technique of shifting
Study
No. 2
from Thumb B-flat to B-natural:

from Twenty Studies

Giuseppe Gariboldi (18331905)
Op. 132

Thumb B-flat

Thumb B-natural

Thumb B-flat

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