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TRILLS |
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B
to C# in the first and second octaves: Simply
finger B and trill the C# trill key. The intonation is
better and a two-finger trill is eliminated. |
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High F#
to G#: Finger high F# and trill the C#
trill key. Anyone who has played The Grand Canyon Suite will
appreciate this one.
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C to C#,
both octaves: This is a faster trill and allows for a more comfortable
feel. |
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High G to A-flat:
Better in tune, and far more comfortable. |
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High G to A:
Finger high G and trill the C# trill and the upper trill
key. This trill alone is worth the price of the key.
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High A-flat to B-flat:
This trill, which shows up in many Mahler symphonies, is played
by fingering high A-flat and trilling both trill keys and the C#
trill key. The trill will be in tune. |
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Tremolos and Shakes: First octave
C, B, B-flat, A, A-flat, and G can be tremoloed with C#
by just using the C# trill key. The same note can be
tremoloed with D natural by using the C# trill and first
trill key, in combination. These notes may require some pitch adjustment,
but there is no easy way to do these effects. |
The use of trill
keys and the C# trill in combination can produce many
startling effects, and experimentation can be very rewarding.
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SPECIALTY NOTES |
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Pianissimo high
A-flat: How many of us have tried to play this note softly and
keep pitch and sonority? Play middle A-flat with all the
left hand keys depressed, and the C# trill and the high
A-flat will appear softly, and in tune. |
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Debussy C#:
The middle C# which opens Lapres-midi dune faune
is often raw and hard to color. Use the C# trill while
fingering B natural, and you will get a C# which is full
and able to be colored without losing pitch, since the resistance
of the note is increased. |
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A word about the mechanism
is probably in order. Since this key has its own rod, it will not
interfere or complicate the existing mechanism. The placement of
the key lever is not clumsy, since it is above and to the left of
the B-flat shake. A few moments of playing will convince the player
of the ease of operation of both keys. |
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Careful comparison
of identical flutes, with and without C# trill keys,
have convinced us that the additional hole does not affect the tone. |
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There are many other
effects which the C# trill could produce, and the ingenuity
of flutists and composers will create and fulfill new demands. The
modern flutist would do well to consider the C# trill
an integral part of the instrument.
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