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Flute low G to lower C

Posted by Obi Ron Kenobi on 2/10/2026, 3:31 pm

I'm a dummer. Need help from a flutist.

I have a student playing a UIL solo that requires her to go from low G (second line) to C below the staff.

My fingering charts indicate her right hand pinky must move sideways from one of the foot joint pinky keys to the other. I see no alternate fingering.
That seems to go against what I learned about woodwinds. Any tips?

Additionally, that note obviously is low. I'm having her slow down her air and tuck her chin in a bit, thus enabling her to roll the flute in a little. Does this sound correct?

Re: Flute low G to lower C

Posted by DesertJazz on 2/12/2026, 8:08 am, in reply to "Flute low G to lower C"

Couple tricks:

I don’t have my flute in front of me, but I think you can hold the low c pinkies down on the g.

I agree g could have pinky left off as another option.

We have a trick as flute players to rub our pinky over our nose before doing that type of move. It puts just enough grease to help slide.

For the air, it has to aim down. Buy a pneumo pro and have them practice moving from second fan from bottom down to bottom.

Re: Flute low G to lower C

Posted by Flute player on 2/11/2026, 7:17 am, in reply to "Flute low G to lower C"

She does not need to have her pinky down for G. Lift it early to prep for the Low C.

I never tell my flute students to blow slow air (they will end up flat) maybe calm air but never slow. . . push the lips forward, open the teeth and aim across the tone hole.

Re: Flute low G to lower C

Posted by Hmm on 2/11/2026, 11:15 am, in reply to "Re: Flute low G to lower C"

"Open the teeth" is my favorite nonsensical musical advice. We probably mean to open the jaw, but no one says that. Every time I hear it, I imagine being able to independently control my teeth to open and close, not unlike the stoma of a plant cell.

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