Klarinet Archive - Posting 000407.txt from 1997/12

From: "David S. Naden" <dnaden@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Left hand Ab/Eb keys
Date: Tue, 9 Dec 1997 09:09:47 -0500

In response to SCM9348:

How can the addition of a left hand Ab/Eb key be a hinderance to technique??? Any
key, such as this, that is added and makes passagework easier is an improvement.
I have been playing on Prestige RC instruments for 12 years, and I have found the
addition of this key a technical improvement that is extremely useful. If there
is a downside, it would be mixing up the older fingerings for the standard 17
key/6 ring clarinet with newer fingerings using this key, or having to actually
decide which fingering is easier.

David S. Naden, Graduate Student
Cal State University Los Angeles

SCM9348 wrote:

> In light of the topic with buying clarinets with a left hand Ab/Eb key, is
> this particular key a danger to technique? I play an Opus Bb, I'm just
> curious to hear what you all have to say about this, do you agree that the
> left hand Ab/Eb should be a last resort fingering? I currently use it for the
> quite uncommon passages where there is normally no alternative, or when I'm
> sightreading (sometimes on the 2nd or 3rd time :) and get stuck. In practice,
> I try to avoid use of the key and utilize the standard fingerings. Is it safe
> to say that the Ab/Eb key should be avoided unless absolutely necessary, or
> would it be just fine to make use of it at any time?
> I was thinking "compatability" <sp> would be a problem if the player became
> dependent on it and an incident arose where the player wasn't playing on an
> instrument with the key. Just curious :)
>
> --Stephen C. Moore / scm9348@-----.com

   
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