Klarinet Archive - Posting 000171.txt from 2001/06

From: stewart kiritz <kiritz@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] curved fingers
Date: Mon, 4 Jun 2001 10:57:24 -0400

Thanks, James. Yes, I have been able to develop a reasonable technique
despite the flat fingers. I guess I can take comfort in the fact that
Vladimir Horowitz also played with flat fingers and not too shabbily. But I
think it's more important on the clarinet than the piano, because I can see
how my extended right pinkie just can't move around nearly as quickly and
smoothly as it should. It just won't do the job. So I'll keep working at
it.

Stewart

----- Original Message -----
From: <JMarioneau@-----.com>
Subject: Re: [kl] curved fingers

> Stewart,
> I played with flat fingers on my right hand all the way through high
> school (for some reason my left was ok). I was actually a good player in
> spite of that hand position, but when I got to college, I had to change.
My
> teacher said that if i could get my ring finger curved, the rest would all
> curve and he was right. I practiced slow scales and used the Klose
mechanism
> excercises and low note excercises and after several months, I got to
where
> the correct hand position became automatic. I also decided to consider
poor
> right hand position as bad of a mistake as wrong notes or wrong rhythm, so
if
> i discovered that I was playing with flat right hand fingers, I would stop
> and start again.
> It is well worth the effort to change. My tecnic smoothed out and
> difficult passages came easier, so the amount of time spent changing saved
me
> time later not to mention raising my playing to another level. Good luck
and
> hang in there. It can be done.
> James Marioneaux
> Principal Clarinet, Baytown (TX) Symphony Orch
> Adjunct Clarinet Instructor, Lee College, Baytown
> Band Director, Barbers Hill HS, Mont Belvieu
> I have no free days ot nights
>
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