 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: chipper
Date: 2004-09-09 13:29
I'm getting to the point where finger dexterity is limiting my fast playing. I don't completly close the holes when using alternate fingering and get a good deal of squeek. Seems when I streach my pinkey on the alternate b, c# and c my other fingers come off of the holes. Any finger exercises to help?
C
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Author: Ed
Date: 2004-09-09 16:01
There are many finger excercises found in the Klose method that I find extremely valuable. They are only a couple of measures in length and address specific problems. Each is repeated many times. I have students play two sets of repetitions, the second at twice the tempo of the first. In other words, either doing the second set in cut time, or later when you do the excercises that are in sixteenth notes, the eighth note is the beat and then the quarter. You can build up quite a good technique in this way. Be patient, don't go too fast and onld do a few a day. Good luck.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-09-09 16:16
Practice the fingering slowly with a precise clean movement....then play the clarinet. Also, beward of fingers that are not closing precisely together, and you should be able to work out any problem that comes about...
David Dow
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Author: Wicked Good ★2017
Date: 2004-09-09 16:19
The Kalmen Opperman Hand Studies are fantastic, if they're still in print. Play them very slowly at first, and it's amazing how accurate your fingering becomes after awhile.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2004-09-09 18:36
Rubank Advanced Method Books Volumes I and II have good finger exercises. Volume I addresses the chalumeau register while Volume II addresses both the clarion and altissimo registers.
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2004-09-09 19:18
I wonder too if either of your hands isn't held in the most efficient position in order to easily reach the keys. For example, while subconsciously supporting the instrument with your right index finger under the set of small side keys, that puts the rest of your hand out of position to easily reach the lower keys. (A student of mine is working to break this habit - her fingers aren't reaching the lower G and F because of the hand position.)
Another thing to think about is whether you're gripping the instrument too hard, allowing tension to limit the ease of movement in your arms, wrists and fingers.
Finger exercises will help greatly, as mentioned above, if these two factors are addressed.
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Author: Topher
Date: 2004-09-09 21:47
an exercise I use is called the 9-minute exercise, and was developed by a local proffessional. Start by playing a low G. Using ONLY your left pinky, quickly "trill" between that G and E, F#, and F. Come up with patterns, (G E G F# G F G E G F# G F etc, or G E G E G E G F# G E G E G E G F G E etc) and move only your left pinky as fast as you can. After one minute, continue holding that G and using your right pinky "trill" between G and G#, F#, F, and E for one minute. continue for left ring finger (hold D, trill to C and C#), right ring finger (hold low A, trill to G and G#), left middle finger (hold E, trill to D and D#, using the left hand sliver D# key), right middle finger (hold Bb, trill to A), left index finger (hold open G, trill to F#, G#, and A), right index finger (hold C and trill to Bb and B, using sliver key for B), and left thumb (hold G, trill to F and register key; works best when not blowing air through instrument). When you are done if you have done each finger for one minute it will have taken nine minutes, hence the name.
topher
PS I'm sorry if that's a little confusing. It's much easier to show than it is to explain. My teacher simplifies it to his students by saying you should trill every half step on your instrument for four measures per trill. That isn't as thorough, but it is much easier to explain.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2004-09-13 16:19
Chipper -
At a master class many (many) years ago, Gino Cioffi (principal in Boston and a monster technician) said he recommended practicing chromatic scales up and down over a small interval (a major or minor third or fourth) to increase finger speed.
The Langenus Method (part 3, I think) has three excellent Etudes for the Left Hand, which I use to free up my left hand and practice throat register patterns.
To work on accurate finger placement, use a metronome and begin very slow -- no faster than one note per click at 60, and even slower if you need to. Never go faster than perfect. Otherwise, you're just practicing making mistakes.
Play a short section -- a measure or two -- until you have it memorized, and then watch in a mirror. You'll probably see your fingers flying all over the place. Learn to lift them straight up, for the minimum possible distance, and then put them straight down. Kalmen Opperman says to imagine your fingers have radar in them, so they always go down perfectly and in the same place. For each note change, only the necessary finger or fingers should move. When you go from first space F to first line E, for example, only your left index finger should move, and not the middle finger. (This can't be done with the ring and little fingers, since the ligaments are connected, but even there, when you go from fourth space E to fourth line D, your right little finger should barely move.)
Try reversing your thought process, so that the only application of effort is to lift a finger. To put it down, you just relax and let it fall by gravity.
Your object is to relax, use as little effort as possible and avoid wasted motion. Move only the necessary fingers, and avoid extra effort. Your fingers may jump around when you start doing this, but it will pay big benefits in the long run.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
P.S. to David Dow -- Are you now promoted to principal? Or were you there all along?
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Author: allencole
Date: 2004-09-14 06:02
I agree on the chromatic in small segments. I have my students learn them in spurts of a major third, linking them together in groups of sixteenth notes to form their octaves. It's a great way to break up the scales, and to plant triggers to get you from one group to the next.
ex. C-C#-D-D#-E [pause] E-F-F#-G-G# [pause] G#-A-A#-B-C
Allen Cole
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Author: donald
Date: 2004-09-14 10:33
i second the Klose- good exercises, try to keep you arms relaxed when you are playing these, as tension will slow you down... plus try to move each finger from only one joint if possible, make sure you move UP fast as well as DOWN fast. keep relaxed.
but the chromatics sound good too....
donald
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