I am still working the Händel Sonatas. I suppose I have still to work on them for a few years...
Now I am studying (alone, we are on summer holidays, no teacher to ask) the Op1 Nr. 11 (HWV 369) and one of the two allegros is proving to be more difficult that it looks. It is written in F major and in one measure I have to make a change from Bb to B. I am using the thumb key for the Bb as it allows me to play faster, but then, at this change my fingers get knotted.

How would you play this measure? Without thumb key is easier, but then I often forget the b of the Bb and when playing relatively fast, hitting the key ro Bbit is an additional burden. If you slide the thumb just to get the B, at what note would you do it?
Any other suggestions?

I post this measure as avatar.

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The picture is not good on my PC. Click on the avatar to see it better

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MG!
key ro Bbit is = key to get Bb is

If there is a C or C# nearby (this measure has several C's) I just use that opportunity to switch between the Bb and B thumb keys. I don't think the right hand Bb lever is needed at all in that measure.

Good luck!

Thanks.

There are several Cs, but Bbs come after them until the C in the 8th position. Right now I am changing the LH thumb lever at the C that is in the 11th position, but this one is preceded and followed by Ds; I think this change, together with the thumb movement makes me stumble.

I will try changing at the 8th position and see it this improves things.

the RH Bb lever is underused and under-rated, I use it very often, this measure could be played several ways, find what is comfortable for you

I would change to the B-natural thumb on the F on beat 3. But as Patrick said, use whatever is most comfortable for you.

In this situation with the C-Bb-C transition, I find using the right hand Bb lever awkward, personally.

Good luck!

I had supposed it was a mistake and you meant the left hand thumb lever, but after so many posts insisting on this RH lever I do not understand what lever are you referring to... You mean the RH index hole or there is another lever for the RH I have not yet learnt to use?

It is also known as the "Bb shake". There is a diagram available here: http://www.larrykrantz.com/keyname.htm

At the following page, they refer to it as the "Bb Trill Key": http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/flute/fl_fing.html



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I personally prefer to call it the "right hand Bb lever" since I use it much more often in quick passages than for trills.

Thanks!

It is never late to learn new things. I am happy I have asked the initial question and got all these answers, the fact is that I did not know about this alternative Bb fingering and had never used it.

So I must now figure out when and how to use it...