 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Willie
Date: 1999-09-16 15:49
Can anyone out there tell if there are any clarinets made for folks with large fingers? If I put my finger over the low C tone port, it is touching the the two ajoining keys and this makes playing faster peices a real pain. I,ve already had the keys tweeked about as far as they can go. Our tenor player has the same problem as he trying to play aclarinet also so he can double. I'm playing a contra alto in one band but they need me on soprano in the other band.
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-09-16 17:53
Here is an attempt to help solve the problem. It may or may not work for you, but at least it can start the discussion.
Many folks get the C#/G# key and the sliver Eb/Bb key bent or tailored to meet their specific fingering requirements. Based on your posting, I have to assume that this solution has already been beaten to death and there is no room for improvement at all. So, let's explore another potential solution to your problem.
Many less experienced players tend to put their fingers in inefficient positions for the clarinet. For instance, younger players tend to curl unused fingers (especially the pinky) when not immediately needed. Other folks have their fingers almost straight out instead of slightly curled and ready. Both of these mistakes need to be corrected with the help of detailed private tutoring from a clarinet pro. Here's how my pro tutor helped me.
The trick is to use the tips to middle tips of the top joint pads of the fingers for fingerings. Hard to describe, but most folks will find that if they hold the clarinet firmly fingering a low chalemeau E, they will find ring/tonehole marks smack dab in the middle or slightly towards the upper part of their top finger joint fingerprint area. A good little drill that can help with fingering accuracy for the chalemeau C area that concerns you is to finger slowly trills from C to D, trills from C# to D, trills from D to D# (using the sliver key). The trick for you will be to minimize the "footprint" area that your fingers make in this area of the clarinet. Curl or straighten your fingers slightly to help tailor the footprint area for accuracy for your fingers and for your horn. Then, practice the trills slowly, building up speed only as your own accuracy can take it, until you can play up to your required speed.
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Author: Kontragirl
Date: 1999-09-16 22:26
I'm having the same problem. I think it's because I'm used to having so much room with the contra and bass. I'm working more on my soprano now, and it's getting better, but occationally I go to get the Eb key and it's not there. Wouldn't it be a riot to see us trying to play a Eb sopranino?
Anyway, it's really a totally different instrument, and you have to get used to the finger positions again. It would definately make sence that it's the bigger instrument if you, the tenor player, and I are all having the same problem. Just keep playing the little horn and see if it gets better.
Kontragirl
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Author: Willie
Date: 1999-09-17 03:34
Thanks y'all, I'll give a whirl some more. To rub salt in the wound, my smart alec wife tried to get me to try her piccolo at rehearal tonight.
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Author: Kimberly
Date: 1999-09-17 13:26
Actually Kontragirl isn't far off of one way to try to solve the problem. If your fingers seem to big for the Bb clarinet, why not over exagerate the problem, and do some practice on the Eb clarinet. You will have to find a very delacite touch, with using the very least possible amount of your fingers. I am not suggesting a long time on the instrument, just practice sessions, to try to get the feel of the instrument. Then, when you go back to your Bb, it will feel much larger, and you can still try to use that same light touch that gave you problems on the Eb. But now on the Bb, you have more room and may be able to move even more freely.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 1999-09-17 21:44
Sorry I can't help, Willie, I find my bass cl a bit too large, also most bari saxes, both of which friends think I can handle. I just play some notes softly!! Luck, Don
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Author: Doug P.
Date: 1999-09-18 01:16
It has been suggested that you have the L.H. Eb/Bb lever and the C#/G# tailored to allow you more room for your ring finger on the left hand. Another, albeit drastic, solution I've seen used is to remove the L.H. Eb/Bb lever completely, filling the tone hole with a cork. Of course, you will have lost the alternate EB/Bb fingering, but that may be a small trade off for being able to finger better.
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-09-21 18:12
Doug P. has a good point.
If you don't mind doing some really radical things to your horn, you can remove and permanently cork the keys and related tone holes that get in the way. I know of (and have personally seen in live concert and then talked with) a very good semipro jazz clarinetist who removed both sliver keys and both upper trill keys from his 1950s era big bore Selmer soprano clarinet. I talked with him and asked him why he did this radical customization. He told me that he never uses these keys, they get in the way, and they simply added weight and complexity to his horn. As well as he played live Dixieland Jazz, any arguements to the contrary (especially from a novice like me) seemed moot.
I personally won't do that to my horn, but if you're game, it is an option that you can at least consider. Keep in mind what you are losing and what you are gaining with this radical step.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2001-08-02 06:00
Yes, I have larger fingers than anyone. It helps to practice the instrument on all scales and chords a la Klose. One can also have a repairman make the keys thinner by filing them. They don't need to be very wide. Actually, on my latest Eb, I'm living with it as I may later buy a new R13. Good Luck.
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