Klarinet Archive - Posting 000358.txt from 1998/04

From: Labadorf <Labadorf@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Off-topic messages PLUS an actual clarinet comment: legato technique
Date: Tue, 7 Apr 1998 23:35:52 -0400

In a message dated 4/6/98 10:10:35 PM, you wrote:

<<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?
>>

Stan Hasty taught a legato fingering technique that required slow finger
movement (not to be confused with slow musical movement). Legato technique in
this way doesn't move your fingers out of aim of the tone holes as sliding and
doesn't get in the way of f-sharp/d-sharp skinny keys either.