Klarinet Archive - Posting 000100.txt from 2000/07

From: "Dee D. Hays" <deehays@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] extra keys & fingering question
Date: Mon, 3 Jul 2000 13:58:52 -0400

----- Original Message -----
From: "Patricia Smith" <pattiesmith@-----.net>
Subject: Re: [kl] extra keys & fingering question

> This "forked" fingering was the first fingering I ever learned for Eb/Bb.
I
> feel that perhaps it should be taught first. For me, at least, it is
> faster and keeps the fingers in line better; it does not allow for the
> student to change the overall position of the hand while playing. As a
> teacher of beginners, I do my best to correct all sorts of dreadful
> contortions on a daily basis. I know the side fingering felt slow when I
> first used it (I can actually remember back that long ago!).
>
> Patty Smith

Out of curiosity, I dug out my old student books and scanned through them.
The very first Eb/Bb fingering taught was the first two fingers of the left
hand plus the left hand sliver key. This was introduced for the F, Bb, and
chromatic scales. The second fingering that was taught was the fingering
that used the first finger of the left hand plus first finger of the right
hand. This was introduced for the arpeggio drills in the keys of F and Bb.
The *LAST* one introduced was the Eb/Bb using the side key. This was
introduced at the time that the key of Eb was introduced since it comes in
handy on the scale patterns in keys of 3 or more flats. This last seemed to
be considered less common as my drill books through the intermediate level
made a point of specifically marking any Eb/Bb notes on which the author
wanted the student to use the side key.

It looks like directors and newer method books are taking a different order
of introduction? At least from some of the comments on this list.

Just a quick comment on terminology here. On clarinets that have the three
rings on the upper joint, there is actually another Eb/Bb fingering and it
is referred to as the forked Eb/Bb. So if you mean the Eb/Bb with the
sliver key, it would be wise to pick another term to avoid confusion.

Dee Hays

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