 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: charla
Date: 2010-10-06 19:51
I'm beginning to play clarinet again after a number of years off. I have a new Buffet R13 which I'm enjoying playing. However, I'm having a running discussion with my teacher about fingering for middle B and C. I apparently learned the alternate fingerings and naturally use my left hand for C and right for B. They seem less clunky to me than the preferred fingerings. Is there actually a reason not to routinely play these alternates ? I'm really struggling with the "correct" fingerings.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-10-06 20:17
Charla -
There's a practical reason for the standard fingerings. They put the little fingers on the upper level of keys, from which it's easier to go to the lower level than the reverse. Also, ideally the fingers should be relaxed and slightly curved. To reach the right B key, the right pinkie is usually stretched out straight, which can cause tension.
If you're most comfortable playing the way you do, there's no absolute need to change. However, you need to be able to play either way, to avoid the "you can't get there from here" passages that result from lack of full duplication of little finger keys.
Since you're relearning things after a long time off, I suggest making this one of the things you relearn.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Bubalooy
Date: 2010-10-06 20:18
The "right" fingering, depends on what precedes and what follows the notes in question. The D-sharp / E-flat key doesn't have an alternate so which fingering you choose is often dependent on this note, for example.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-10-06 20:21
I prefer to practice scales of "D" and "A" using the right B and the left C#.
But as stated above you should develop some fluency in both methods.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2010-10-06 20:32
When I first learned to play, I did the same thing, and I did it for a long time. It didn't affect me much, but when I was in high school my teacher mentioned it. I eventually "switched over."
I teach E-B on the left and F-C on the right, but every so often I'll have a student with very small fingers who finds it easier to do it the other way. I don't make a big deal out of it, but I slowly try to teach it the other way too.
To be honest, I don't think it's really that big a deal. It's important, though, to be comfortable playing both ways. For example, if you have to go from B to C to
E flat, right-left-right (your way) is the best way to go. If you have to play C-B-
E flat, right-left-right is the best way to do it. If your clarinet has a left E-flat key, I suppose you could do it either way, but I have no personal experience with this.
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2010-10-06 22:01
I have a student who began clarinet in the 1950's and was taught to play using the left hand C and right hand B. I started to bug her about it, but stopped when I realized how easily she handled the LH C to RH Eb sequences. I always start students using LH B and RH C, but they often have great difficulty (some to the point of refusing to use it) using the LH C. I wonder sometimes if that guy way back when in a small town had a better idea.
Anyone else find a student taught that way?
John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com
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Author: charla
Date: 2010-10-07 00:02
Thanks for the ideas. I can play these notes either way but my muscle memory is pretty strong (although I realize it's not all muscles). Given a choice, my old way is smoother and easier. I'll slog on relearning...
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