Klarinet Archive - Posting 000267.txt from 2001/06

From: Ann H Satterfield <annhsatt@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] curved fingers
Date: Tue, 5 Jun 2001 23:18:29 -0400

I want to add to Walter's important point and good comments:

It is often the amount of pressure or tension involved while fingers are
on holes/keyes that interferes with fluent technique.

One concept that made a big difference for me is to check how easily i
can release my fingers.

To experience this away from the clarinet:
* roll a piece of notebook or typing paper into
a tube about the size of a clarinet
*finger as if playing the clarinet--without squeezing the the tube flat.
(got this from an article about teaching recorder to elementary school
children)

On the clarinet:
* see how lightly your fingers can touch during long tones.

Ann
Ann Satterfield
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Central Florida~~~~~~~
Principal clarinet, Imperial SO & Music Manager, ISO
Adjunct Faculty & Instrumental Assistant PolkCC

who is VERY happy playing bass now that the local repairman got the 2nd
register key instigated by the G/D key to least possible spring tensions
so that i do not have to STOMP my ring finger right hand to close the
key.

Better yet, after a couple of years (Socratic) dialogs about key action
and tuning heights, he trusts my judgements and reasons.

On Mon, 04 Jun 2001 14:51:00 EDT GrabnerWG@-----.com writes:
>
> Stewart, maybe you should concentrate on attaining a comfortable
> hands position where your fingers feel relaxed and can move freely,
> and not worry about "flat" versus "curved".
>
> Remember these are your hands. No one else will ever have an idea of
> how they work while playing. How "flat" or "curved" yours fingers
> should be is really dependent on the LENGTH of your fingers and the
> position of the tone holes, rings, and keys of your clarinet.
>
> There is no "musical" benefit to "curved" fingers. To diagnose that
> all players must curve their fingers is a harmful recommendation.
>
> Here is my new motto: Believe NOTHING anyone else tells you that you
> "must" do. Try it and see what works best for you. There is no "one"
> solution.
>
> Walter "Guru on the Internet" Grabner
> www.clarinetxpress.com

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