Klarinet Archive - Posting 000510.txt from 1996/10

From: "Lorne G. Buick" <lgbuick@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Ridenour's book
Date: Mon, 21 Oct 1996 15:26:37 -0400

Hi Neil-

Ridenour's book is unlike your basic fingering chart in that it is
annotated - ie each fingering has comments on its usefulness (or lack
thereof), and examples of works that you might use it for. It also
contains:

-a discussion of resonance fingerings for the throat register, with
comments on which ones work best in which situation, which ones affect
the pitch, etc.

-up to 18 different fingerings for each altissimo note, including some
that are flatter, sharper, softer, louder, easier to tongue or slur,
etc.

-a series of fingerings involving the right thumb on the 3rd side key
(alternate throat Bb), which I've never seen anywhere else

-fingerings up to at least d4 (_two_ octaves above third-line D)(I
forget exactly how high it goes and don't have it here}

-lots of blank diagrams for fingerings you discover/ make up yourself
(with room for comments on their usefulness}

IMHO, this book should be required for every clarinet student at
university level.

Neil Leupold wrote:
>
> Tom Ridenour's fingering book has come up a number of times in discussion
> on this list. I don't own a copy, and now I'm curious as to what it
> contains, because I noticed it available in one of my catalogues for $12.
> What exactly is in this book beyond a table of standard and alternate
> clarinet fingerings thoughout the range of the instrument? What on earth
> makes it worth $12?

Lorne G. Buick

St. John's, Newfoundland (temporarily writing from Vancouver)