I am currently learning south indian bamboo flute of 8 hole.See this link for how it looks http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venu  . I am experimenting with different ways of holding the flute like

1. Using all three fingers of my left hand parallel and closing with my middle part of the fingers.

2. Using the three fingers sliding and closing the hole with the front part of the fingers.

I find the second technique is used my many top performers. But I find it efficient. But I want to know how important is the finger positions for the overall playing especially when we play difficult fast notes?

I cannot post images since I am a new user, otherwise I can explain more clearly.

I am currently learning the Venu, the South Indian 8-hole bamboo flute. 

I am experimenting with different ways of holding the flute like

1. Using all three fingers of my left hand parallel and closing with my middle part of the fingers.

2. Using the three fingers sliding and closing the hole with the front part of the fingers.

I find the second technique is used by many top performers. But I find it efficient. But I want to know how important is the finger positions for the overall playing especially when we play difficult fast notes?