Klarinet Archive - Posting 000836.txt from 1998/11

From: "Diane Karius, Ph.D." <dikarius@-----.edu>
Subj: [kl] tuning/fingering questions
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 03:58:36 -0500

I've been pondering these questions for a week and a half and I still
don't get it - so: I routinely use resonant fingerings in the
throat tones and half hole the low altissimo D, E, and F when I play.
If I use those fingerings to tune, my clarinet is well in tune with
itself (the notable exceptions being the throat Bb (A+register key),
which is hideously flat - that gets worse if I don't use the resonant
fingering in the G to tune; and the altissimo A, which is hideously
sharp (higher notes come back down)). My new teacher has told me: 1)
to use the resonant fingerings only when I drift sharp as a way to
bring the tone down (which they certainly work well for); 2) not to
half-hole the altissimo notes (at all); and 3) not to use either
half-holing or the resonant fingerings when I tune. Given #1 and 2,
I certainly see where #3 comes from, but I don't understand #1 and 2.

My questions then:
1. How uncommon/common is it for a clarinetist to use either of
these fingering techniques? Is there any arguement against using
them even when the tone & pitch of the note is improved by them?
2. Given that the clarinet is in better tune with itself when
I use those techniques as I tune and that all but the quickest notes
are being played using these fingerings, what would be a reason for
_not_ tuning using those techniques? (Obviously, this question is
moot if there is a reason not to be using those fingering in the
first place)

Sorry for being so long winded!
Thanks.
diane k.
Diane R. Karius, Ph.D.
Department of Physiology
University of Health Sciences
1750 Independence Ave.
Kansas City, MO 641o6-1453
email: dikarius@-----.EDU

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