Klarinet Archive - Posting 000378.txt from 2010/08

From: "maarschalk@-----.an>
Subj: Re: [kl] Klarinet Digest, Vol 6, Issue 58 LH Thumb Placement
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:20:28 -0400

Hi, all LH thumb experts!

It would be nice to compare the left hand thumb position of the German Oehler System
clarinet with the LH thumb position when playing the Boehm system clarinet.

I use the treble recorder positions on my Oehler system Wurlitzer and it more or less
works well.
The German system only has simple thumb hole with a bushing (I learnt that word from
the many threads about the subject) whereas I think Boehm system has a ring around the
thumb hole. Also the throat G# automatically opens when playing throat A. This pust an
extra burden on the LH index finger and LH thumb. In the Germans system this is not so.
Also the keyes of the throat registers are shaped differently, requiring less thumb
movement.
The more hardware(keywork)the heavier the burden on LH index and LH thumb. Well
adjusted springs lessen the resistance of the springs which can be important.
In the Germans system this is not so. The keyes of the throat registers are shaped
differently, requiring less thumb movement.

Kind regards. Art Marshall

www.artmarshal.org

------- Original Message -------
>From : Cynthia L Nichols[mailto:cynthianichols@-----.edu]
Sent : 6/25/2002 9:43:28 PM
To : klarinet@-----.com
Cc :
Subject : RE: Re: [kl] Klarinet Digest, Vol 6, Issue 58 LH Thumb Placement

Cath~

Incorrect left hand thumb position plagues students and professionals
alike. Some things I remind my students of:

Your thumb has many jobs; it HOVERS, COVERS, REGISTERS AND VENTS.

Try playing this little exercise in slurred quarter notes. Open G (HOVERS)
down to throat F (COVERS) to low Bb to clarion F (REGISTERS) to throat Bb
(VENTS). Many think that all of those actions signify 4 different thumb
positions, however they are all played from just ONE POSITION. Many people
change their thumb placement during different notes or registers. Coming
up too high on the register key is a problem, as it is with throat A;
edges of fingers on edges of keys. There should be no movement except
rocking forward to open the register key when changing registers
especially.

A great book to help you master correct LH thumb position is Kal
Opperman's Modern Daily Studies, Volume One. The first three exercises in
the book focus on LH finger position in general including the thumb and
will cure you forever. There are also some great break crossing (register
changing) exercises in Howard Klug's Clarinet Doctor book. I highly
recommend both books as essential technique builders.

Good luck with your passage!

Cynthia Nichols
Artist Faculty/Instructor of Clarinet and Woodwind Pedagogy
Department of Music
The University of Nebraska at Omaha
60th and Dodge St. Omaha, NE 68182
Office: 227 Strauss PAC
Phone: (402) 554-3350
cynthianichols@-----.edu
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