 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Garth Libre
Date: 2012-10-15 01:03
I'm working on the Bb Major scale exercises. It seems that one needs to figure out some special way of approaching going quickly up from C, D or F to throat Bb or a number of other such difficult fingerings. I've tried rolling, I've tried thinking of sliding my whole hand up too. Both seem a little clumsy and the funky sloppiness of it is often audible. Coming down from throat Bb to anything lower is also no treat. What do I do; keep plugging away or is there some secret that clears up most the issue?
Garth, 305-981-4705. garthlibre@yahoo.com
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-10-15 02:41
It's like learning to ride a bicycle. When you can't do it you can't understand how anybody else can do it, and then one day you find that you can't understand why you couldn't do it. Do the position changes in very slow motion and analyse what your fingers are doing. Work out the best way to get from where you are to where you want to be and then practise until it's hard-wired into your fingers.
Tony F.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2012-10-15 03:16
There are a couple of tricks I use.
First, to make switching from the thumb hole to the register key alone, bend the thumb's knuckle out. If your thumb position is such that when it's covering the hole and touching the register key without depressing it this works really well. To descend just reverse the knuckle's bend.
The other trick is your left hand's front finger position. If you play with your fingers slanted as opposed to at a right angle to the body of the clarinet, your left hand first finger will already be at an optimal position to press the A key.
If you need help visualizing I might be able to get my husband to take a couple of photos of my left hand while playing
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2012-10-15 22:06
Katrina gave you good info. Your thumb should always be "on top" of the bottom of the register key without acutally pressing it so in effect you actually toggle to it when you need it instead of actually moving your thumb up and down. It is best to keep your thumb at an angle instead of straight up and down as well. You should also have a few fingers in your right hand and or left hand when playing the Bb as well. I always use the third finger in both hands plus the C pinky key depressed as well all the time except when playing very fast if it's not practicle. It helps voice the note better as well, giving it clarity and richness.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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