 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mario
Date: 2001-10-22 20:54
I am working hard on the Prokofiev at the moment. What a piece (one year of work ahead). I am still figuring out the basics, like strange fingerings in the top end of the altissimo.
2nd mvnt, very last note. Several grace notes in the altissimo culminating with a top B, all of that at blinding speed of course.
On his CD, Larry Comb plays these notes perfectly, in tune, with all the grace notes slurred, strong and bubbly. The last B is right on, full of color (yes! even up there Larry's B sounds clarinetty - what a grand master!).
Looking at my many fingering references (in particular Ridenour), I simply do not see a combinations of fingerings that have the potential of sounding the way Larry does. I suspect that he invented new fingerings for this much exciting ending.
All of you pros out there: Would you have any fingering ideas (and embouchure ideas) on how to hit this B in tune, with full color, while sluring grace notes from the low alsissimo as fast as you can.
I cannot even fathom how to master the 4th movement yet. I will get there.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2001-10-23 01:38
Mario...If the difficult passage in question in the 2nd movement is the final measure(grace note high F#, grace note high A#, high B) - Try this fingering:
For the high F# - overblow high Bb (one line above staff) using right side key
For the high A# - overblow open G (no fingers at all)
High B - overblow throat Bb w/Eb pinky key
Let me know how this works...GBK
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Author: HAT
Date: 2001-10-23 16:34
Or you can do what I do, which is to leave that last bit out. It wasn't in Prokofiev's original sonata (the flute version). It was added later when the work was adapted for the violin. It doesn't add much to the movement. As an alternative, you could simply change the notes to something you CAN play. What's written is uneccessarily difficult.
Kennan does some strange things with this work. He uses some of the flute version and some of the violin version. I find going back to the original to be a big help in performing this work successfully.
I agree that LC does an amazing job getting those notes out. He has absolutely amazing control of registration.
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Author: Mario
Date: 2001-10-24 12:23
Thank you very much HAT.
Indeed , your fingerings work.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2001-10-24 12:27
Mario...I'm glad the fingerings work for you. There are other (more complicated) possibilities, but that is the combination I use. I suspect it's the same one Combs uses on the recording...GBK
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