Klarinet Archive - Posting 000055.txt from 1998/01

From: "Craig E. G. Countryman" <cegc@-----.net>
Subj: Re: rapid fingering help!!
Date: Fri, 2 Jan 1998 23:43:30 -0500

Yes, and also believe that you can do it. At first I looked at my
All-State music this year and thought "No way can I do this." But, if
you start slow and gradually work it up to tempo you'd be amazed at the
results. All of a sudden I noticed I'd moved from m.m 100 to 125 in a
matter of three days. It still isn't quite to tempo (m.m. 134), but it
is getting there through a matter of gradual practice.

Also, while I'm not familar with the piece in question, generally
Mozart's music runs along scale patterns very nicely. For instance, his
concerto is nicely under the fingers. Look at the music and see what he
is doing in the way of arpeggios and scales. You should recognize
certain patterns of these, or variations on them such as broken scales,
arps., etc.

Don't force your fingers. Make sure they are curved and in the right
position. Also, you may want to do a series of exercises to warm them
up. Slur up and down scales, especially
1. Of the Key(s) the work is in
2. Full Range Chromatic

Start slow and work them up very fast. Slur everything so all you have
to focus on is the fingers. If you do this is should really improve
your technique and overall speed.

If you can't quite get it up to tempo don't fret: expression and
musicality beats someone TRYING to play fast any day.

Sincerely,

-------------------------------------
Craig Countryman
http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/YPP/Craig.html
http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/1711
ICQ Uin: 1106304

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