A recent post on a thread about open holes reminded me of a personal experience that perhaps could be of some interest.

I had lot of problems with my RH ring finger. It would dance around the D key and often touched the second trill key, spoiling a note. I had tried many things, including changing the flute for a model with open holes. It did not work. Later I had the trill key lowered by a technician, this solved the problem with the ring finger but created another, still worst problem; the RH middle finger now could slip over the trill (and open it slightly) when fingering low B, C and also #C. So serious I could no longer play low Cs.

So back to the technician again, but with a new idea: I had the trill key levered back to the original height *and* the trill spring replaced by a stronger type (a 0.84mm). The technician had to enlarge the spring hole on the pillar so it is no longer standard, but the good news is that the problem is solved.

No more problems with the trill!. And of course I can trill with that key normally, in spite of the increased resistance.

I share this just in case it could be useful for other people with similar problems.

Great news! I am happy to hear that you found a solution.

Now my problem is that my flute rolls back in my hands from the C# trill key. I didn't have a problem with it on my Powell but do on my Miyazawa only because the C# trill key bar is positioned differently. I have tried using a thumbport and my own inventions, but when it comes down to it, I am not comfortable with putting anything on my flute for the right hand and I can't get used to anything. I love having the C# trill key, but can manage find without out and now I wish I would have not ordered it on my flute.

Anyone else have a certain problem with your flute? If so, please share as we may be able to help each other out. This thread was a good idea. Thank you Jose.

I am permanently using a Bo Pep LH finger rest because of my LH index problem. It has helped a lot but it also prevents some excessive rolling of the flute. It requires some time to adapt to it, however. The Bo Pep finger saddle helps holding the instrument in a tighter position, but I find it too much limited. I bought both and chose the one that IMO fit me best.

I use a tube of clear medical tubing that is cut down to size for my left hand now. It looks nice and feels good too. This is where I got the idea:
http://www.alexastill.com/alexaart.htm

Kate,

If your left wrist is flexible enough, try turning the the headjoint in, which will force the body of the flute to turn out. That should help with the balance of the C# trill key, or at least it helps with mine.... Each body (human and flute) is built differently, though.

Good luck!

Using silicone plastic tubing could help in avoiding excessive flute rollout, it tends to stay at a fixed position when pressed to the finger skin because it slips less. It is also softer and gentler to the touch. Better than PE tubes. But it could be difficult to find with large diameters to fit the flute body.

The Bo Pep LH index rest is too hard and though it helps with the hand and LH index position in my case, it is no cure for the callus I developed long ago. I believe it is promoting a larger one, actually. But I don´t care about the callus as long as it helps stopping further damage to my index finger and its tendon.

Now I am having a new problem. The LH thumb started to hurt because it is pressing too much on the border of the key instead of more to the centre of it. Could be a side effect of the Bo Pep I am using now, because I had not such a problem before and I have played this same flute for a few years.

Should I correct the flute body position by rolling it in? Anybody else with this problem?

I have seen pictures of J. Galways left thumb, with strong and ugly callus.

But I would rather not have them, if avoidable.