Hi all.
well the problem is this:
I am first chair, but the second challenged me and the challenge is to play F and Eb scales in 3 octaves.

Any one has a specific fingering that works the best for D E Eb and F way up above the staff?


Thanks!

you can find those fingerings on some charts, but the sound is difficult to produce..what is the basis of such a challenge?

well, the girl thinks she can still get first chair bt challengin me.
And worst of all, our director just told us the challenger can set up what the challenge going to be on, which I know it's unfair because she already has an advantage and I don't

I found the fingering chart, but there're so many for just one note!
I would like to know whats best to play those high notes.

Boy, I realize that this sounds like Phil McC. but.....
IF you ask me, (not that you did) playing the very high F, E and Eb as a challenge is basically ridiculous. Any band director which would prefer to hear a player's tone quality on these notes is a bit misguided. Are you performing them regularly in your band pieces? Getting those notes out is really more of a acrobatic stunt than a musical experience and also equally as much subject to the particular characteristics of the individual flute rather than the player's skills.

Try the challenge on something like the Chaminade Concertino, Poulenc Sonata or the likes. Even a good Anderson study played musically would be a better indication as to musicianship. I'd much rather hear a quality rendition of the final flute solo from A Night on Bald Mountain than some player screetching out a high E4.

I agree Bilbo, this is why dealing with many BD's is very frustrating...

I feel the same way with this annoying challenge...
I'm practicing the notes...but still on monday, or maybe today, when I see my band director I tell him to change it to something more musical than the acrobatic scales. lol


Thanks to all!

Oh! and just to fill in the gap.
All this was the challenger's idea, neither the director or I had anything to do with this.
Isn't weird?
In a way, I think she chose the ugly scales just because she knows I can perfom better on an actuall piece than something she also knows I find pointless.

wow lol

Stay tuned to know what happens later on. lol

perhaps then you should see who can hold a note the longest while standing on your head...or see who can play the bumblebee the fastest while asleep..

anyone have more challenge ideas for our young friend here?

that does not make sense. scales do not determine who is the better player. Musical solos and difficult pieces determine that. tone, production, and rythm is always what i look for in a flute player. Not silly scales!!! all scales do is show that you know a key signature!! tell this seconed person, that even if she can do some 3 octave scales "GOOD FOR HER!"

I have to disagree with you, here, FirstChairForever. Scales do indeed make a good player....However, playing them into extremes of the range does not. Scales are the most basic building blocks of music (after individual pitches, of course), and it is very important that any performer be comfortable with them in all their permutations. Scales do far more than show that you know a key signature...Aside from making sight reading much easier, they show that you've taken the time to study the instrument thoroughly and care enough to learn the basics. What you mentioned you look for in a flutist is only a small part of what matters in an audition setting. Most people can learn to play notes and rhythms, but unless you can do so musically, you probably won't get past the prelim round. I agree with the others that the challenge that has been set is a ridiculous way to judge the better player, but scales should certainly be part of a challenge that encompasses material that more accurately indicates musicianship as well. A relevant solo piece or exercise, along with scales throughout the standard range of the instrument, and perhaps other material depending on the particular circumstances and players involved would be ideal.

Actually this does make sense for this challenger person. If she has worked on this area of the extrime high range and expects to beat Marylin at it, then she has one the day in her eyes.

As we've all agreed, it does not necessarily make her a better musician.

Next challenge: play the flute off to the left with the head joint placed upside down on the top lip while doing the 2 octave A major scale in fifths.

putting it all together:
I will talk with my challenger and tell her to bring the scales down an octive but include a solo.

how does that sound?

hahaha guess what!?
I spoke with my challenger about the change and she still wants to do the scales because it was unfair that when when we audition, supposedly she only had a week to learn the 12 major scales. when in fact we have had since the begining of the year and she should know them by now. so, she wants to get even by playing some weird scale that i have to learn in one week!

hahahaha...
anyway, friday is the challenge. and so far i have learned to play the high high D lol.

do you think its ok to play up to there and then brring the other notes one octive down?

do you think its ok to play up to there and then brring the other notes one octive down?

I wouldn't suggest doing that, as it will only highlight the fact that you don't have the same range as the other player (ridiculous basis for a seating decision though that may be), and break the flow of the scales. If you cannot produce the full range of notes that you'll need, have a conversation with your director about how pointless the challenge material is when it comes to determining who the better player is (would he honestly expect a high school trumpeter/clarinetist/whatever to play a full 3rd above the widely accepted top of their instrument's range after only a week's practice just because it's possible?), and then play them musically through 2 octaves, or two octaves and a fifth or however much you can do. It's actually good that she forced you to learn up through D, as this is the top of the "normal" range, and you will mostly likely need it in the future anyway, but F is almost useless except in situations like this, and in a VERY few, advanced modern pieces.