 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jerry
Date: 2001-01-12 02:38
I know it's to early for me in my clarinet career (at least that's what all seem to suggest), but how does one make the transition (fingering) from "A" to "B" in the clarion (the middle of the staff) - I hope these are the correct terms - is there and easy way? The L index finger on the "A" key (the rest open except for the T & register). How to go from there to all fingers down + the T & register key for a "B"? It's been kinda like tieing my shoe laces with my toes.
Another thing. How do you maintain control of the horn while holding the "A" key down and the only other support is the right thumb on the thumb rest? My horn wants to wabble side-to-side.
Thanks.
~ jerry
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-01-12 02:51
jerry wrote:
>
> I know it's to early for me in my clarinet career (at
> least that's what all seem to suggest), but how does one make
> the transition (fingering) from "A" to "B" in the clarion (the
> middle of the staff) - I hope these are the correct terms - is
> there and easy way? The L index finger on the "A" key (the rest
> open except for the T & register). How to go from there to all
> fingers down + the T & register key for a "B"? It's been kinda
> like tieing my shoe laces with my toes.
The right hand fingers should generally remain poised above the holes that they are to cover. This way they only have to execute simple straight up and down motions. It does take practice though. The left hand should sort of "roll" when going back and forth between A and B so that the left index finger presses the A key. Don't lift the fingers any higher than necessary. You can practice this separately from going to the B however. A nice little exercise is to "roll" back and forth between the C *below* the A and A itself. This lets you practice the rolling motion with an easier set of notes. However going smoothly from A to B takes practice and there really isn't any way around that. Practice slowly at first until you can do it easily on a regular basis. Then gradually work up to the tempo that you want.
> Another thing. How do you maintain control of the horn while
> holding the "A" key down and the only other support is the
> right thumb on the thumb rest? My horn wants to wabble
> side-to-side.
There can be several causes.
1. Embouchure too loose on the corners
2. Tilting the right hand when you raise and lower the fingers. It only takes a small amount of motion that a beginner would not notice to cause a wobble.
3. Other reasons that I haven't thought of.
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Author: Eoin McAuley
Date: 2001-01-12 07:09
Another thing Dee did not mention is that in many clarinets, there is an apparent difference in resistance between A and B. It feels like you have to blow much harder to play the B than to play the A. In fact you must prepare your embouchure (the way you hold your mouth) so that it is already in the "B position" before you play the A. Eventually, with practice, you will be able to keep your mouth in the same position for all the notes on the clarinet, but this is tiring at first.
The golden rule is practice, practice, practise.
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Author: beejay
Date: 2001-01-12 10:01
You should also be able to hold the right hand down for A A flat and G, meaning that in moving from these notes to B you only have to worry about moving the left hand. On my clarinet (Buffet Crampon RC) this also helps me get a richer tone on those notes. As for wobbling from side to side, this happened to me at first since I've always instinctively used a double-lip embouchure. My teacher told me to use single lip and to grip with my teeth -- advice I rejected because it doesn't work for me and it seems to pinch off the tone. I found that the wobble problem resolves itself with improving embouchure, although you can ease things a lot by using a neck strap (preferably elasticated) or by resting the bell of the clarinet on your knee if you are sitting down.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-01-12 13:38
Two things:
Just as beejay said, once you reach G, where all of your left hand fingers are up, you may keep all of your right hand fingers down.
I have begun to play the B with my right hand least finger (pinky) which has really stabilized the works. Bein' raht hended, iz simpla.
The standard thumbrest is a joke. The new Ton Kooiman student thumbrest is relatively inexpensive and will spread out the load. this should help with the wobble factor.
Lastly the B note in most clarinets is anemic at best, lame at worst.
Bb is even worse. To quote one of the earlier posters, paraphrasing the inestimable player and teacher, Anthony Gigliotti, BTSOOI!
(Blow The S*** Out Of It!).
It really takes alot more air for the B and Bb than the notes above or below them.
I thought my first horn was broken... its just the nature of the beast.
anji
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-01-14 13:56
It is extremely common on both new and used instruments for the two keys bushed by the B key to be out of adjustment and leak. There is no fault more common than this on the clarinet.
If this is the case the B will be difficult to sound no matter how well you operate your fingers. You don't need this extra hastle so get an experienced player to make sure this note sounds correctly - with LIGHT finger pressure.
Eoin said "...in many clarinets, there is an apparent difference in resistance between A and B. It feels like you have to blow much harder to play the B than to play the A. ....." He is simply describing the symptom of the fault I mentioned. Perhaps he has never played a well adjusted clarinet. I suggest that you don't learn tactics to accommodate this maladjustment..... Get it adjusted correctly if this is the problem.
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Author: lynn
Date: 2001-01-16 02:29
If there is a resistance in the B, you might also want to have the horn checked for leaks. The keys used for B are notorious for EZ Bending....... have your teacher check them out.
If you have an Armstsrong student clarinet, the pinky keys on the right hand are offset, supposedly to allow students with shorter fingers easier access. However, any student with normal or longer fingers will have a problem accessing all of those keys.
I tend to start my students on the B, and move the left hand ONLY to the A, keeping the right hand down. They have to practice those two notes back and forth until they feel comfortable with them, then try to go from A to B and use both hands. Doing it first with the right hand down enables you to get used to the rolling motion of the A finger without feeling too wobbly.
I hate it when teachers/directors talk about "the break" - I tell my kids it's a trick, and you know how once you have it, it's easy? They get it like that :::snapping fingers::: If yours does this, IGNORE IGNORE IGNORE!!! :D
Lynn
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