Klarinet Archive - Posting 000277.txt from 2002/05

From: "Gene Nibbelin" <gnibbelin@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Pinky key improvements?
Date: Sat, 11 May 2002 00:02:04 -0400

Claudia -

Based on some experience of my own, this might be something to try short of
key modification.

Since returning to playing in 1996 a tendency of my right little finger to
lock up had returned. I had the same trouble those many years ago in my
student days.

In addition, a right hand injury in 1994 left me with a nerve problem in the
control of my 4th & 5th fingers. With the passage of time most of the nerve
damage has repaired itself. However, at a lesson several months ago, I was
having a problem with the 4th finger bumping the sliver key. After watching
my hand positions for a couple minutes, my teacher remarked that it looked
like my right hand was positioned too high (towards the trill keys) and that
my fingers were too straight. (Also, my left hand was a bit too high over
the G#.) He said, "Curve your fingers and play closer to the tips." Since
following his advice to lower my hand positions and curve my fingers more,
the sliver key problem has corrected itself and my hands are more relaxed,
resulting in greatly improved technical speed and NO MORE LITTLE FINGER LOCK
UPS. Also, with my right hand lowered slightly, there is no more little
finger problem on any of its four keys.

An adjustable thumb rest might help to position your friend's hand a bit
closer the problem keys. Or a thumb rest pad, either purchased or a 5/8th
inch piece of 1/4" ID latex tubing slipped over the thumb rest. This might
be enough to help position the little finger close enough to the keys.

Hope this helps.

Gene Nibbelin
Cape Coral, Florida

-----Original Message-----
From: Claudia Zornow [mailto:claudia_zornow@-----.com]
Subject: [kl] Pinky key improvements?

A clarinetist friend of mine has short pinkies which occasionally
"lock up" and, as a result, he has some trouble with passages that
use the right-hand pinky keys a lot. He wonders if any work has
been done with modifying these keys, perhaps adding extensions,
and where one might find places where such work is done. A search
of the archives didn't help. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Claudia

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