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The G# lever on many flutes is a truly wretched little key. It lies too much on the side of the instrument, making its operation more inwards than downwards. The convex touch invites the finger to slip off, and the edge of the touch scrapes along the side of the third finger. Reaching the long F touch requires lunging down past the G#. The short spring is stiff, making easy operation by the fourth finger difficult. All of these problems are addressed by my new "bent and twisted" G# design. As you can see below, the touch is made asymmetrical, following the lines of the long F key touch. Like that key, the touch is twisted outwards and bent up to provide a secure placement for the finger. Because the touch is asymmetrical, it no longer scrapes the side of the third finger. Indeed, I take advantage of this by moved the block up towards the line of finger holes. This turns the "inwards" movement more towards a "downward" movement, a change reinforced by the twisted out shape. Because the G# key is now no longer in line with the long F, selecting between long F and G# no longer requires lunging past the G#, but simply moving the fourth finger outwards in a comfortable arc.
User feedback has been invariably positive. The McG# is now standard on all of my instruments unless otherwise requested. Use your Browser's Back Button to return to how you got here, or Back to McGee Flutes home page...
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