Alternate fingerings

Timbre can also be manipulated by the choice of fingerings used. These fingerings may have slight microtonal inflections on the original pitch, but can be corrected by the player through the embouchure. These fingerings work equally well on the bass flute as on the C flute. Recommended fingerings are given in the Alternate Fingerings Chart and further examples are listed in Robert Dick’s The Other Flute, classified by timbre.

Alternate fingerings

Alternate fingerings may also be used to stabilise pitch, particularly in the upper register.

Notation of alternate fingerings

Specific use of alternate fingerings may be indicated either by use of the word alt. above the relevant note, or by providing a fingering diagram if the sound of a specific fingering is required. Return to conventional fingerings with the word ord.

Notation of alternative fingerings
Notation of alternative fingerings