Klarinet Archive - Posting 000459.txt from 1999/10

From: "MARY A. VINQUIST" <kenshaw@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Re: Altissimo; wetting reeds
Date: Sat, 16 Oct 1999 09:45:56 -0400

I'm afraid I dissent on raising vs. rolling the left index finger to
introduce the altissimo.

First, I think that stepwise motion is not the best way to introduce
a new register, because it requires the motion of several fingers.
Many (*many*) years ago, when I was in beginning band, the director
had me play a low F and reached around and opened the register key
to pop up to the clarion C. As a result, I learned that it's easy to
go to the second register, rather than hard because it's over the =

Dreaded Break.

The same applies to the altissimo. If it's introduced separately, the =

student thinks of the notes as "very high" and is prone to pinch.
I think the best way to introduce the altissimo is to have the student
play chalumeau A, go gently to the clarion E by opening the reigister
key with the least possible movement, and then slowly roll the left
index finger down until the altissimo C# appears. That way, the student
can maintain a familiar embouchure position and can learn to carry
the sweetness and roundness of the lower registers into the altissimo.

I think it's a mistake to suppose that rolling the finger is too =

sophisticated or subtle for young players. Show it to them as a
"little trick" and at least the better ones will gobble it up. If it
causes confusion, just let it go until later.

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On how long to soak the reed, I've found that you do it until there is
no waviness across the tip -- typically 2 to 3 minutes. Since I'm
usually too impatient to wait that long, I soak for about a minute and
flatten the tip out on the table of the mouthpiece with my thumb.
Total time to do this is not much more than 3 minutes :-).

Best regards.

Ken Shaw

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