Klarinet Archive - Posting 000966.txt from 1998/11

From: Jack Kissinger <kissingerjn@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: [kl] Flat fingers and tension
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 1998 13:16:26 -0500

Speaking of hand position nightmares, check out the clarinet at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=44626211

(look closely at the top picture of the assembled instrument). This
instrument's player must have made Glenn Gould look normal.

Best regards,
Jack Kissinger
St. Louis

Roger Garrett wrote:

> There has been some confusion regarding my inital post regarding a
> straight third finger approach to beginners which has, unfortunately, gone
> on to become "flat" fingers! Part of the problem was that I was listing
> the straight third fingers as an example of what I do without much
> explanation beyond that description. Tony Pay is now doubling over with
> laughter I am sure - for this post confirms his earlier!
>
> Specificaly - I advise students to check their hand postion by anchoring
> their third fingers and looking down - are the third fingers nearly
> straight or straight? (notice that I don't use the word flat or the word
> tense) Are the fingers of the left hand over the Ab key and of the right
> hand near or over the 1st trill key?
>
> I do not advocate tension, nor do I expect the third fingers to be
> absolutely straight (to be checked with a metal 6 inch rule) - I simply
> want the fingers to be at an angle in which these particular fingers are
> more straight than the others. A simple check of my students in the
> studio will reveal that they do not have tension in the third fingers of
> the right or left hands (right Rachel???).
>
> Roger Garrett
> Illinois Wesleyan University
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------