Klarinet Archive - Posting 000662.txt from 2002/11

From: "Gene Nibbelin" <gnibbelin@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Light Fingers...
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 23:58:10 -0500

Keith -

Benjamin Maas gives some very good comments in his reply. I am also a
student of a student of Stanley Hasty and I have had the same problem of
"heavy fingers", which my teacher has largely helped me correct.
In working out some technical problems, he noticed that I had developed the
bad habit of playing with my fingers quite straight and with my wrists a
little too high, so that my fingers were at too high an angle to the horn
and my hands and wrists were too far from the body of the horn. Several
years ago I believe that a Lister posted the analogy that the hand position
should be similar to the hand that is holding a soda (or beer) can with the
fingers wrapped gently around the can. Unfortunately, I didn't pick up on
the suggestion until I began correcting my hand and finger positions making
a lot of use of a mirror. This has gone a long ways toward correcting the
"heavy finger" problem - those legato phrases have really improved. For me,
the change to rounding my fingers and playing more near the tips, and
lowering my wrists and using a more "wrap-around" hand position has
considerably improved my technique. I also find that keeping my hands
relaxed is much easier now.
This is what is working for me. Hope it helps.
Regards,
Gene N.

-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Pemberton [mailto:gatep5@-----.net]
Subject: [kl] Light Fingers...

My instructors have always complanined that I have heavy fingers and slam my
fingers down on the keys. I have tried my best to "ligthen" them up but I
just don't seem to get the concept. When I try my keywork becomes very
sloppy and doing chromatics I tend to miss notes. Can anyone give some
insight as to what I can to help this problem. I want to be fluid and fast,
but a little less hard on the keys. Thanks!

Keith

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