 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clare
Date: 2002-10-20 16:17
Hi guys, I need some advice on how best to finger a phrase in the upper altissimo.
I'm playing a trio which involves a very exposed legato piece up to G#6 & A6 (great excitement for those of us who never usually get asked to play above G6!). Playing the notes in isolation is OK, but I'm having difficulty getting a series of fingerings that work well together. I've just never had to use that end of the spectrum before. And because it's all frantic cross-rhythms and constant dissonance with the viola & piano, I want to be able to finger it as relaxedly (if that's a word) as possible so I can concentrate on the rest.
I've consulted the fingering charts here on Sneezy, particularly GBK's contributions since they've been so highly recommended on the BB, but the great variety of fingerings has just introduced too many additional variables and my head is spinning!
So I wondered how the experts would opt to play it?
The phrase (each three notes slurred together) goes:
Ab5 C6 Bb5, Ab5 Eb6 Db6, B5 F#6 E6, D6 A6 G#6, D6 C#6 B5....
I'd really value opinions. I know I'll have to work out what works best pitchwise on my clarinet, but it would really help to get some advice to start with.
Thanks in anticipation.
Clare
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-10-20 16:47
clare...There are probably more fingering choices for G#6 than practically any other note on the clarinet - so don't let the confusion bother you.
Here is one possibility (using some "non standard" fingerings).
I assume the problem you are having is making the skip from D6 to A6 to G#6 in a slow passage.
Try playing the D6 in the standard way:
TR o x x / x o o Eb
Go to the A6 using this fingering:
R (no thumb) o o o / x x o Eb
Go to the G#6 using this fingering:
R (no thumb) x o o / x x o Eb
This takes a little practice if you are not used to playing notes without the thumb covering the thumb hole, but the pitch should be fairly accurate and the response controlable.
Lots of other choices, but this one comes to mind as an interesting one to try...GBK
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Author: clare
Date: 2002-10-20 18:29
Thanks GBK - this looks like having far fewer switches than all the variations I was trying so I'll give this a go.
C
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Author: Alphie
Date: 2002-10-20 18:59
Or: (A & G# can be sharp)
D6: o x x / x o o eb
th.
c#
A6: o x x / o o o (no eb)
th.
c#
G#6: o x x / x o o (no eb)
th.
------------------
Or: (A & G# not so sharp)
D6: o x x / x o o eb
th.
c
A6: o x x / o o o eb
th.
c
G#: o x x / o x o eb
th.
Alphie
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Author: Ralph
Date: 2002-10-20 20:25
You may want to acquire a copy of Tom Ridenour's "Clarinet Fingerings". It presents numerous fingerings for the altissimo range and presents pros and cons for the various alternatives.
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Author: donald nicholls
Date: 2002-10-20 20:48
dear GBK,
when i studied in the US i found i knew 10000 more fingerings than most of my peers- mainly (i now think) because i'd played so much modern music at undergraduate level, but also because i went to the bother of "finding out"....
but oh boy- i've never seen that one (your fingerings suggested above)for high A (and the G# looks useful too!). I ocasionally use "thumbless" fingerings for D and E flat (and for high B flat in the Martino Set).
thanks for some useful fingerings, for your great postings and for reminding me that i don't know everything already (thank goodness!)
the last is a very important thing to keep in mind!
donald
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-10-20 21:15
donald...Thanks for the kind words...
As a former student (as you are) of Dr E, interesting and useful fingerings have become as much of a hobby as a personal quest.
Glad you found the suggestion useful...GBK (still searching for that elusive B6 to C#7 trill)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-10-20 21:27
donald...By the way...
Both of the fingerings that I suggested (A6 and G#6) were submitted to Tim Reichard's Woodwind Fingering Guide web site and have since been posted.
http://www.wfg.woodwind.org/ ...GBK
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Author: Irwin
Date: 2002-10-20 22:38
GBK, thanks for reference to the woodwind fingering guide. Just today my teacher assigned a piece that has F#6 and G6 all over the place, and as I'm unfamiliar with these notes, your post was timely and helpful!
Irwin
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Author: donald nicholls
Date: 2002-10-20 23:17
GBK,
re B6 to C#7 trill....
i think that Phil Green knows one for that- it was taught to him by Frank Celata... i'll see him next weekend so i will try to remember to ask him about it. We discussed it when talking once about the Ginastera Variations solo, so i know you can use it to go UP fast, but i'm not sure if it will come back down easily (and thus trill)
Phil, Aussie clarinet genius, is currently on trial for the Principal Clarinet position in the NZSO by the way, he ocasionally visits the board here but i've never seen him post...
must rush
donald
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Author: William
Date: 2002-10-21 00:13
My two cents, I would play all notes with conventional fingerings except:
F#6--TR 12 side Bb key (Bb5 overblown)
E6-- TR 123 G# (G#5 overblown)
G#6--TR X23/4XX l-h C key
Have fun!!!!
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-10-21 00:56
GBK - I was wondering if you might give me an alternative fingering for throat G
thanks
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-10-21 01:11
William...Concerning the "E6" fingering that you suggest:
TR 123 G# (G#5 overblown) is actually an <b>F6</b> (although a bit flat).
For a truer F6 (using your suggested fingering pattern), I would finger it:
TR + A key x x x G# / o o o
Just another possibility out of about a dozen choices ...GBK
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2002-10-21 01:39
Diz,
From Jay Arnold's book, one alternate to open G is:
T + Ab key
;^)
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-10-21 01:46
LOL - I'll try that one - but does it work?
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-10-21 02:20
diz...Here is another (yes another) fingering for open G:
T + A key x x x / x x x ...GBK
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Author: Dez
Date: 2002-10-21 05:57
GBK, you probably have thought of this already for your B6 C#7 Trill
x x o / x x o Eb/G#
T R
For the B and for C#
x x o / o o o Eb/G#
T R
and if the C# is flat and alt f#/B banana key right hand for both notes, works well for me.
Dezza
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Author: William
Date: 2002-10-21 14:33
GBK--OPPS!!! (a "senior moment)
What I really meant to say was:
E6--TR 123/XXX + 1st finger Ab4 key
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