Klarinet Archive - Posting 000081.txt from 2005/04

From: Roger Shilcock <roger.shilcock@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: [kl] Slow or weak fingers = slow brain, or...?
Date: Wed, 06 Apr 2005 03:56:06 -0400

Re your 3) & 6) - something which gets ignored too often:
Are you *quite* sure all your joints are tight??
Roger S.

In message <DEB0ED6A-A639-11D9-A1C4-000D933DB09C@-----.org
writes:
> I am an adult amateur, started at age 50 eight years ago, trying to
> play music too difficult and fast (for me) without the proper time to
> train my brain and fingers as I should have (and I'm not sure what that
> training would be). I thoroughly understand basic music, counting,
> articulation, dynamics, etc., but am unable to make my fingers or
> brain move fast enough. I've identified the problems as:
>
> 1) both hands - fingers don't move quickly or smoothly, especially 4th
> finger and pinkie of each hand - scale and non scale passages. I
> suspect finger strength issues.
>
> 2) my hands are quite small - fingers don't always reach outer pinkie
> keys on left, especially; don't always cover holes completely
>
> 3) reed squeaking a lot
>
> 4) finger/brain speed problem - can't seem to play fast - don't know
> how to learn to do so
>
> 5) find certain fingering patterns or combinations very difficult -
> it's as if my brain can't learn them and send correct message to the
> fingers.
>
> 6) clarinet feels very insecure as if it's going to move too much as I
> change fingerings - I do play sitting, with bell on my knees, but still
> find myself hanging onto clarinet for dear life - this is one reason
> fingers don't move fast, but how to solve problem?
>
> These are real beginner issues that were not adequately dealt with as I
> developed. All of the fault is mine as I desperately wanted to play
> serious music before I was ready. But now I realize I must address
> these very frustrating problems before I can progress. Does anyone
> have some detailed, concrete suggestions on any or all of these issues?
> How do I make my fingers stronger, especially those farthest from my
> thumb? How do I train my brain to send correct messages to my fingers
> and hands?
>
> Any help will be welcome. Yes, I have a teacher already.
>
> Many thanks
>
> Audrey
>
>
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>
>

--
....compared with it at its best, English has reached the
Alexandrian stage of formalism and decay.
----- Raymond Chandler ("Notes on English and American style")

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Klarinet is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org