Saxophone vs Flute F#

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F# Fingering for Flute vs. Saxophone for Directors

Who

This issue affects band directors transitioning from specializing in saxophone (alto or tenor) to teaching beginning flute players in school bands. Understanding the distinct F# fingerings is crucial for both directors and students to ensure accurate instruction and performance.

What

The challenge is teaching the correct F# fingering for flute, which differs from saxophone. Flute F# uses the right-hand third finger, while saxophone F# uses the right-hand second finger, leading to potential confusion for directors accustomed to saxophone.

Why

The difference arises from the instruments’ key systems and acoustics. Flute’s open-hole design requires the right-hand third finger and pinky for middle and above-staff F# to achieve a stable, resonant tone, as noted in Flute Fundamentals. Saxophone’s closed-key system uses the right-hand second finger for a straightforward F#, with no pinky involvement. Directors familiar with saxophone may mistakenly apply its fingering to flute, causing incorrect pitches (e.g., F natural) and intonation issues.

Where

F# fingerings are applied via:

  • Saxophone: Right-hand second finger on the D key, with left-hand fingers on B, A, and G keys.
  • Flute: Right-hand third finger on the E key and pinky on the Eb key, with left-hand fingers on B, A, and G keys, and thumb on B or Bb key.

When

Address this distinction in:

  • Beginner Instruction: When teaching middle school flutists to ensure correct F# fingering from the start.
  • Flat-Key Repertoire: In pieces with B minor or D major scales (flute) or A minor/E major (tenor saxophone, concert E; alto, concert A), where F# is frequent.
  • Technical Passages: In runs involving F# (e.g., E-F#-G), where correct fingering ensures fluency.
  • Ensemble Tuning: In band settings like Holst’s First Suite in Eb, where accurate F# intonation is critical.

How

To guide beginning flutists:

  1. Model the Fingering: Demonstrate flute F# (right-hand third finger on E key, pinky on Eb key), emphasizing the third finger’s role to avoid F natural.
  2. Contrast with Saxophone: Highlight that flute F# uses the right-hand third finger, while saxophone F# uses the right-hand second finger, ensuring directors don’t confuse the two.
  3. Use a Tuner: Check F# intonation on flute, adjusting embouchure to avoid sharpness, and confirm saxophone F# (concert E for tenor, A for alto) matches A=440 Hz.
  4. Practice Scales: Incorporate F# in B minor or D major scales for flute, and A minor/E major for saxophone, reinforcing the right-hand third finger for flute.
  5. Monitor Hand Position: Ensure flute players keep the left thumb on the B or Bb key and right pinky on the Eb key, maintaining a relaxed hand position.
  6. Annotate Repertoire: Mark flute parts in pieces like Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever to use correct F# fingering, contrasting with saxophone parts.

Conclusion

For directors moving from saxophone to teaching flute, recognizing that flute F# uses the right-hand third finger, while saxophone F# uses the right-hand second finger (concert E for tenor, A for alto), is critical. By modeling correct fingerings, contrasting the instruments, and reinforcing through scales and repertoire, directors can help beginning flutists produce a clear, in-tune F#, fostering accuracy and confidence in band settings.

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