Klarinet Archive - Posting 001035.txt from 1998/11

From: Gary Van Cott<vcis@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] futzin' with the keys
Date: Thu, 26 Nov 1998 22:15:23 -0500

I use the left hand sliver key quite a bit. I have found that at age 50 and
having started playing seriously again three years ago, that single hand
fingerings are a good idea.

I don't have any problem with the sliver key in ascending passages, when my
second finger is already in place, but on descending passages it is a
different story. When I try to play (lower register) E-D#-E my third
finger tends to crowd the second finger and keep it from completely closing
the tonehole. I have tried to bend the key so that it is farther away from
the second tone hole but I am afraid I will break it if I apply too much
force. It seems like a replacement key would be better (I own an R-13).

On my Buffet alto clarinet (latest model) the sliver key is in the shape of
an inverted U and sits quite high. This approach also works because it
puts the third finger sufficiently above the second finger to prevent
interference.

Gary
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Edinger/Gilman <wde1@-----.com> on 11/26/98 09:54:47 AM
Please respond to klarinet@-----.org
cc:

Subject: [kl] futzin' with the keys

In the straight/straighter third finger issue, flute-playing may be
instructive. The clarinet is much more ergonomically designed than the
flute, since you hold your hands in front in a fairly natural position,
but the flute requires holding a straight tube in an off-center,
off-balance posture, which really aggravates the finger-stretch that is
not nearly as noticeable on the clarinet. To compensate, flutes are
available with offset holes, extended G-keys (3rd finger left hand), or
G-key extensions. I have an in-line open-holed flute, and in order to
cover the key hole, the third finger has to be straight while the first
is greatly arched, and that doesn't make playing very easy. I'm going to
try putting a cork in the G-key so that I can cheat a little with finger
placement. No such problems on the clarinet, but I could see how for
some it might be a problem, depending on hand shape and relative finger
lengths.

Along these lines, I find that the sliver keys on my Eb tend to get
in the way when I do fast passages. I remember a list member (Dan
Poprocki?) saying he just removed the l.h. sliver key (Eb/Bb) and corked
the hole, since he hardly ever uses the key (nor do I). But since I use
the r.h. sliver key (F#/B-nat) a lot, I was thinking, why do we need
such an intrusive key, even on the Bb? If you were to shorten the key
to a make it a short knob, like the r.h. trill keys on the flute, it
would certainly be just as easy to use and not get in the way. Any
problems with this? I think I might just order a replacement key and
try this out. But why do these keys need to be so intrusive?

Bill Edinger

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