Cross-fingering works because an uncovered hole’s pressure-node position is affected by holes farther along

Evidence

Here, the pressure node is farther away from the flue than the first uncovered hole itself such that the state of other holes beyond it will affect its position. The figure shows typical fingerings used to play a two-octave C major scale on a descant or tenor recorder. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 1190

In general, a row of finger holes is gradually uncovered to effectively shorten the acoustic length of the resonator as an ascending scale is played. Occasionally some cross-fingering is used in instruments with small holes or small pairs of holes such as the recorder as illus­ trated in Figure 4.19. Here, the pressure node is further away from the flue than the first uncovered hole itself such that the state of other holes beyond it will affect its position. — David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 1217

Categorization

• DEFINE: Explains the acoustic mechanism behind cross-fingering, a core woodwind technique.
• QUESTION: The claim that holes beyond the first uncovered one shift the pressure node raises the question of exactly how much interplay exists between adjacent-hole states in practice.
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 1190; David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 1217