Learning to trill without a trill key

Question

I don't really like resorting to trill keys when I want to do difficult trills like C-D. For one, the pitch and quality isn't exactly the same. Also, it feels like cheating. I'm willing to use them as a shortcut for now, but in the long run, I'd really like to learn how to trill by alternating the normal fingerings.

Unfortunately, whenever I try that right now, I get a sort of C-thingy-D alternating, which just sounds wierd.

Are there any exercises/etc for learning this?

I know that a proper, fast trill may be impossible without a trill key--I just want to be able to alternate C-D at medium speeds without sounding wierd.

Answer 1

The mere existence of that thrill key is an indication, that there is a problem with the combination in question. Therefore the standard fingerings are unlikely to be combinable in sufficient speed and/or tone quality. For bassoon (I'm better acquainted with) there are special fingering tables for trills and it is more likely that they are different than the same, depending on the author of that table. Also always there is the recommendation to experiment with different fingerings, since the optimal one may depend on the instrument, on the notes to be played before or after. So I would try my luck in combining alternative fingerings and research for further fingering tables.