Klarinet Archive - Posting 001515.txt from 2000/10

From: MVinquist@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Left Hand
Date: Tue, 31 Oct 2000 07:13:39 -0500

Audrey Travis, discussing "Slur across the break," asks:

>...my own problems in smooth slurring from low to high are a reflection
of how quickly (or not ) I manage to press [the register] key, i.e.
coordination of thumb and the remainder of my fingers. Could you suggest any
more exercises that might address this?<

Audrey -

The key (pun intended) is economy of movement, which you get with a left hand
position that puts your index finger and thumb near the Ab, A and Bb keys. I
have long fingers but a short thumb, so my left index finger naturally curves
around the A and Ab keys, in the way a flutist's left hand does (though much
less extreme). Keep a straight line in your wrist (from along the top of
your forearm to your knuckles), and then rotate your wrist clockwise a little
bit so that your index finger nearly touches the keys. You'll probably have
to extend your left ring finger completely straight to cover its hole.

Beginners are taught to "roll" the left index finger onto the A key, but the
word "roll" invites rotation of the wrist to get on the key and rotation back
to get off. Once you find a hand position that has most of the roll built
into it, the motion is small and mostly sideways, with the edge of the
finger. It's the same for the register key -- a nudge up with the upper edge
of your thumb.

No two hands are the same shape, so you'll need to experiment to find a way
that's relaxed and efficient.

The three Etudes for the Left Hand in Vol. 3 of the Langenus Method are
excellent for working on this. When you first try them, you will feel your
fingers flying all over the place. Work on them until you can look in a
mirror and barely see your fingers moving.

Best regards.

Ken Shaw

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