Klarinet Archive - Posting 000226.txt from 2002/07

From: William Edinger <wde2@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] switching between fingering systems
Date: Thu, 11 Jul 2002 23:21:50 -0400

I finally got my old (1907) Buffet Albert clarinet working, after about
three years of stalling. It's been to Paris and back, to Toronto (Steve
Fox) for wood repair, and Illinois (Walt Grabner) for the pad and
adjustment work, plus a quirky round-trip to Paris and back where it
almost got lost. It plays just wonderfully now, and has a very nice
sound (on most notes), but it's taking me some time trying to get used
to another fingering system after over 40 years of playing Boehm system.
The fingers have a mind of their own, and I still am wondering
about that old, basic question: how do people train their brains to be
able to switch between such similar fingering systems? I played tons of
saxophone for years, and never had any problems doubling, but that is a
different-enough instrument to make it easy to adapt. I know Michelle
Zukowsky switches between Oehler and Boehm, and I'm sure others do it
too. Anyone know of any mental tricks? I suspect, though, that in the
end, the answer, as usual, is the old stand-by: practice, practice,
practice.

Bill Edinger
--
Music and wine are one.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

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