Klarinet Archive - Posting 001094.txt from 1998/10

From: "Dee D. Hays" <deehays@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Slippery Keys
Date: Mon, 26 Oct 1998 09:22:18 -0500

I tend to agree with the person who suggested you might be using too much
pressure on the little finger keys. My daughter's keys are chrome plated
while mine are nickel plated and I have no problem on either instrument
(occasionally I play hers just to make sure it is OK).

Spring tension and key height are very critical on the little finger keys as
you are operating the large, most resistant mechanisms with your weakest
finger. If the spring tension or height is wrong, you have to use too much
pressure to close the key. Then if you don't get the finger right in the
middle of the touch pad, it is apt to slip.

Many repair techs (even very good ones) will often have these set for too
much spring tension. It should only require a light touch to close these.
This keeps tension out of the hands and body and enables you to slide easily
from key to key on some of those impossible combos. Whenever I have to have
these keys worked on for any reason (oh, say replacing a pad for example), I
don't leave the shop until I have checked the playability personally to
insure that the key closes easily and without strain.

Tension can cause other problems as well as slipping. Tense fingers and
hands will really slow down your playing. One of the people in the
community band was wondering why she couldn't play any faster. She was
having difficulty with sixteenth note runs at a quarter @-----. She
let me try out her horn and I found that it took a death grip to close the
keys operated with the little finger. It was impossible to play the run at
tempo. Then she tried my horn (I emphasized that she use just a light touch
and not grip it). She had no problem with the run. She later had her
instrument re-adjusted by the tech for a light touch and was fine after
that.

Dee Hays
Canton, SD

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