Klarinet Archive - Posting 000267.txt from 1998/04

From: garylsmith@-----.com (Gary L Smith)
Subj: Off-topic messages PLUS an actual clarinet comment: legato technique
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 23:00:20 -0400

I can't resist pointing out how many messages I'm wading through right
now saying, in essence: "Can we please quit posting off-topic messages?"
In some cases, the message is more accurately headed: I Don't Personally
Like this Topic.

Kids, I've been playing in discussion groups since Fido Net, and the
advice, which I admit I've not always heeded myself, remains: just hit
the delete key. Saves time for you, saves time for them, saves time for
us. Threads you don't like *will* blow over sooner or later; sooner if
everyone who isn't playing ignores them.

and now for something completely
different--------------------------------------------

A friend of mine, in critiquing my recent recital, said I needed to work
on what he termed legato fingering. IOW, in legato passages my fingers
add too much of a percussive effect. He actually advocated sliding
fingers more so than lifting them up and down. I know this is done is
certain cases, such as venting the F# tone hole for altissimo notes
(index finger of left hand) but have a difficult time visualizing sliding
my fingers off as a general rule. I think the problem is more addressable
by working on my finger height and overall level of tension in my hands.

Comments?