How do you play high E natural?

by Emma
(Bellport , NY)

Question: I have a piece in NYSSMA and all the E's are natural and F's are sharps and I don't know how to finger them.

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Answer: For high E, press down fingers 1 and 2 in both the left and right hands. That's the index finger and the middle finger. Press the left thumb and the right little finger.

However, often the high E speaks easier when the right little finger is up. I will often attack the E with the right pinky up, then put it back down if it's a sustained note.

For high F-sharp, finger the low and middle F-sharp, then lift the left middle finger...

Left 1 3 - right 3

Add left thumb and right pinky.

Important - You can't have your left thumb on the B-flat key. The high F-sharp won't speak. So it must be on the B-natural key.

Finally, don't be afraid of these two high notes. It takes a lot of air for them to sound good. If you back away and don't blow forcefully, they will sound puny, squeaky, and may not sound at all.

Be brave!