Klarinet Archive - Posting 000207.txt from 2002/02

From: Donna Higgins <Donna@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] I was thinking about Abe Galper today as I taught my student.
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2002 08:45:28 -0500

Anne Lenoir wrote:

> rolling my left index finger to the A key properly. He taught me to
> cover my first hole in the left hand with the finger a little off so
> that I could roll to the A key with my knuckle. I was very resistant and
> told him that I didn't care about whether or not I rolled the knuckle, but
> he made me do it anyhow. After a few tries I notices that it really
> improved my playing. I have tried to teach that "knuckle rolling motion"
> to the A key to all my students. They all say "Thank you Mr. Galper".

My bass clarinet teacher taught me the "roll" last December, when I was
playing the Mahler 4. I was having a lot trouble with the last couple of
pianissimo phrases at the very end, slurring from low C# to second-line A#
and back down to first-space F#, then up to third-space C#. (Seven sharps
is such a delightful key!)

Once I learned to roll my index finger between the F# and A key, the problem
seemed to solve itself. My teacher also emphasized "feeling" the keys,
having your fingers lightly touching the next key(s) you'll be needing to
press. Of course, this is easier on a bass clarinet. That really helped me
learn to keep my fingers under control. The improvements in my bass
clarinet playing have carried over into my Bb/A clarinet playing

- Donna

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