No, I don't mean what teenage band students do when they are pretending their flutes are batons. YIKES!
I am referring to flexibility gained by using the fingers in an extended motion while playing the flute or another keyed or valved instrument.
In Keith Underwoods's October masterclasses in NYC, he encouraged performers to engage their hands while practicing (as in the classic Alexander Technique back of chair exercise) and to avoid having their fingers be too "smooshy" or rounded in an inflexible way, but rather to fully extend fingers when completing a fingering, moving them in a darting motion--sort of stretching them out, fully extended, after playing a note. The results after practicing a difficult passage in this way were amazing for several performers. Not only was the tone more focused and fuller, but fingerings were more even, with noticeably better rhythm.
At other times Keith has referred to related finger technique concepts as "tai chi fingers", "spideyfingers", and "roboflute."
During this class, to improve the sound on old Powells he also encouraged moving the right thumb somewhat closer to the footjoint--I tried it and it's true! My tone was more focused, yet fuller when I did this on my vintage Powell. It also improved the flexibilty of my fingerings.
Please let me know how these ideas work for you!
Best,
Catherine
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