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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000043.txt from 2005/09

From: Jackie Kovach <jl.kovach@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [DR-L] Student Hand Positrion
Date: Sun, 25 Sep 2005 11:35:01 -0400


On Sep 25, 2005, at 10:23 AM, atlconcertband@-----.com wrote:

> I have a new oboe student who has been playing for 3 years in the
> school
> band, but has never had private lessons before. Her hand position
> (both
> hands) is odd to say the least. Her fingers are held flat and she
> seems to
> be holding the weight of the oboe with her hands rather than the thumb
> rest, blocking any freedom of finger movement, and resulting in a
> "groping"
> technique. Some fingers are bent at the knuckle near the
> fingernail. It
> is very difficult for her to change because she's been at it this
> way for 3
> years. Her explanation for hanging on to her method is "I can't
> help it --
> I'm double jointed."
>
> I'm having her play very simple exercises -- beginning level -- so
> she can
> concentrate entirely on how she is holding the oboe, finger
> position, etc.
> But after 3 or 4 measures, her hands are back in her odd position
> -- "I
> can't help it, I'm double jointed!" She has been very cooperative
> with
> other changes we've worked on in the few weeks she has been taking
> lessons
> -- embouchure, breath support, etc.
>
> Has anyone had similar experience? Any advice would be most
> appreciated.

Hi, Judy,

When I began playing the oboe, back in another century, I had
problems with being double-jointed, especially in my right hand. My
fingers would just lock on me, particularly with the D key and right
cluster keys. I would have to remove my hand from the instrument and
shake out the lock, literally. I simply tried to keep the 3rd finger
a bit more curled and did individual finger lifts on my desk during
classes (instead of paying attention!) and the joints finally
strengthened to the point where it was no longer an issue. If I
want, to this day, I can purposefully lock that offending 3rd
finger. That's been my experience, anyhow.

Jackie

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