playing flute with missing finger?

Question

Is it possible to play the flute with the little right hand finger missing? My niece is 11 and is heart broken because she's been told she can't.

Answer 1

Unfortunately without the right-hand pinky there would be a number of notes that she would be unable to play on the flute and the other woodwind instruments as well. The right little finger also affects tuning and balance on the flute.



In order for her to have the same opportunity for success as the other students she might want to consider other options. She should be able to play most of the brass instruments without any problem. French horn might be ideal .



Musician, composer, 40 yrs. wind and percussion instructor.

Answer 2

Finger Flute

Answer 3

Of course it is possible. A few notes will not be able to be played, and there will be some minor intonation problems, as the little finger is used to finger Eb, Low D, Low C (and Low B on a flute with a B foot.) Most often the little finger rests on the Eb key (keeping it open as an aid to intonation) Second register D can be fingered with just the left hand -- looks like that's the preferred fingering.



There is a fingering chart in the link below, I believe you can get by for every note that indicates the open Eb key (except Eb) without using that key.



The little finger (of either hand) is not used to balance or support the instrument.



She should be encouraged to try the instrument, even with the limitation of a missing pinkie, it will be a rewarding experience.

Answer 4

I am a flute teacher, and also teach in the public schools - and I teach the handicapped. Although I am ALL for encouraging kids - she will be MUCH better served if she chooses from the outset, and instrument that she can play with this missing digit. Yes, you can get someone to make you an instrument that is adaptive, but these are usually made for advanced players who THEN lose a digit due to accident or disease - they have a lifetime already invested in learning and performing. And the price is considerable - these are usually professional-quality instruments that are adapted, so a fine flute with custom keywork can cost well over $10,000.



The extent of the loss and its applicability to future study can easily be determined by her school band and orchestra teachers. I know MANY adults and even professional musicians who play exceedingly well, despite various handicaps; these disabilities are of little consequence when the proper instrument is chosen to work AROUND this. Most woodwinds are going to be a problem, but most brass will be fine. Strings will have bow-balance issues - but strummed strings, like the guitar, should be OK. Most percussion should be fine - but piano/organ, etc., not. Of course, singing is ALWAYS fine - but if she chooses to play an instrument, then the choice is important.



You may wish to go to Yahoo Groups and join FLUTENET - you can ask any of the 3,000-plus professional flutists and teachers there (including students, too) and see if you receive more information. I all also ask in your stead. Please encourage your dear niece to pursue her dream - just cast her net a little wider.



PART TWO - Ok, I asked on the list, and got some more headscratching - and a lot of good wishes for your niece. But I have given this some though. I assume she is in elementary or at the oldest, middle school. I suggest you find her a Jupiter Prodigy flute. Look around on ebay - they come up every so often - or break down and buy new. I suggest these because they are called *assisted fingering* instruments. They have no foot joint, and they only go as low a E flat - the note that her pink would play, but a key that is used to balance the flute a LOT. Have a good repair teach add a key to allow her to open that E flat key when she needs it. There are TWO ways - one is to add a lever for ther right thumb - although it supports the instrument, the tech can build a support (like so see on a metal piccolo) and then an activator key she would access by moving her thimb over - much like we do for our LEFT thumb with the B natural and B flat thumb keys. The other way would put the activator key for the E flat as another key below the G# key - like a saxophone has, or some old Italian wooden flutes. The RH thumb system sound far less complicated to build - and since the Prodigy flute has not separating footjoint, should be stable, too.



These also come with a curved headjoint, which bring the flute closer to her - easier with these potential stability issues. Price everywhere I Googled seems to be $499 - except for the BANDITS that wanted $949!!! And check out ebay - kids get thes, do well, outgrow them, and move on to other flutes.



You will want to print this out and take it to your good music sotre with a good tech shop. If you cannot find one near you, the I suggest J.L. Smith in So. Carolina (they can do this all via photos, etc. Caroline Nussbaum, or www.fluteworld.com. They might sell the Prodigy, I believe, and have tech shops that can outfit your neice.



Now - she will need a teacher that can help her with alternate fingerings. Everything from F *up* the tube does not need the E flat key for venting (sound) but does for balance - many of those notes can be balanced with the Rh4 F# key (tell those flute teachers to consult the Walfrid Kujala *Vade Mecum* book). The E will need to have the E flat key vented (sounds odd, but true) and of course she will need it for E flat in all 3 octaves, as well as some other high notes. That will all come in time. But I hope that the above was not too confusing, and will help - it was written with the intention of you taking it to a flute dealer, flute tech, and then flute TEACHER. I wish your niece lived near me (NY state) - I would be touched to have such a motivated young lady study with me. All the best!



Part Three -



to B Cooper - I am the one who posted on Larry's site, among others. Got me!

Answer 5

Actually the right hand pinky is used to balance the violin bow so I would get some expert opinions before a I raced out to buy a violin.



I would have difficulty in holding the bow without using the pinky on the right hand.



As for the flute : ask a flute teacher ; they will know for sure.



PS the guitar would be perfect . The right hand pinky is not use in classical guitar and very little...if at all.... in any other guitar styles.



The cornet can sound lovely and mellow ; she might like to listen to that .

Answer 6

I'm afraid she can't. I play the flute and would be lost without my little finger. Same for most other woodwind instruments. I do know someone who plays the piano without a thumb, and very well too (a professional musician). So, there is an instrument somewhere for her, but not really in the woodwind section.

Answer 7

Where there is a will there is a way! Another flute teacher called Pauline saw this question and posted it on Larry Krantz list! (the one mentioned above) This is a list of professional flute players/ teachers/ repairers etc! You may have more luck there! Maybe join and follow that question as well. The list is



http://www.larrykrantz.com/fluteweb/listhelp.html



I sincerely hope you find an answer!

Answer 8

I know of some recorders that have adaptive keywork for the handicapped. Somebody somewhere probably custom-makes flutes that way too. If so, they'll be pricey (thousands) and she'll probably never get to a really high standard of execution. It would be better to try something else (violin maybe?). I know a world-class French horn player who was a violin prodigy as a child, until he ran his hand through a washer wringer. It doesn't seem to have hurt his career.

Answer 9

I'm afraid it would be rather difficult to play quite a few notes without the little finger....



Perhaps she would be better suited to an instrument from another family, like brass, where most of the instruments only have 3 key/valves... Possibly the string family may be an option?