 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-02-26 23:07
The threads below about hand position reminded me of some of my problems over the years. Of the three instructors I've studied under, all had a different view of whats correct. I've been blessed (cursed) with large Neanderthal hands and have difficulty with different fingerings on my soprano. The contra is no problem other than the one I'm using is a mechanical nightmare thats seen better days. I would very much like to hear more about whats correct and whats not.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-02-27 00:23
There will be *some* natural variance depending on the exact configuration of your own hands. This is where some of the confusion comes in. Each teacher is thinking in terms of their own hands (or in terms of their teachers hands, etc). Some people have small hands, others large hands, some have large palms but short fingers, others small palms and long fingers, there's thin fingers and fat fingers. Hands can come in all combinations and so will result in some variance in the correct positioning. And sadly there are going to be some teachers who themselves have poor hand positions so it is possible to get some incorrect information even from a teacher. I would recommend tracking down some of the standard works on the clarinet such as those by Keith Stein, etc. and studying what they have to say.
The basic goal is to get maximum freedom of motion with minimum strain. If this concept is utilized, a player can start with a recommended position and work from there to find their own "best" position. This may require not only making sure the hand is correctly placed but also moving the thumb rest.
In some cases, people have had to get the keywork on their instrument modified (this is fairly rare but is done occasionally). People with *very* short fingers have needed to get extensions on some of the keys operated by the little finger as they can't reach them when their hands are otherwise in the correct position. Or sometimes they are able to find a brand that has slightly longer levers.
The right hand seems to be more of a problem than the left hand. This is because it not only bears the weight of the instrument, but the holes sizes are larger and the smallest, weakest finger has a lot of work to do.
The minimum strain is quite important. This is the one that leads to the guideline of a straight, not bent, wrist. The bent wrist is a contributor to carpal tunnel syndrome and this occurs not only in clarinetists who bend the wrist but also typists or computer operators who work with bent wrists. (Isn't it amazing how general principles apply to many fields).
Minimum strain and maximum mobility also lead to the position of the thumb on the thumb rest. i.e. the middle of the thumb rest should normally straddle the base of the thumbnail. This really frees up the finger motion.
Problems in position of the right hand are often traceable to trying to support the weight of the clarinet. The clarinet seems light but in reality that's a significant weight for the thumb to bear. People end up putting their hand too far under the instrument. This results in that bent wrist that could someday lead to problems. Other people "hook" the side of their right hand under the trill keys on the upper joint. Boy does this give mobility problems.
If the weight is a problem when the hand positions are correct, then go the neckstrap route. While a neckstrap may be a nuisance, a bad hand position causes too many problems.
So start with a "standard" recommendation and work from there.
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Author: Jerry K.
Date: 2000-02-27 05:20
Thanks for the elaboration on hand position, Dee. I have noticed a kink in my right wrist, but if I pull my elbow closer to my body, the kink goes away. Now if I can just remember to do that!
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Author: earl thomas
Date: 2000-02-27 15:37
The mention of placing the elbows closer to the body is a good tip on some of the problems with hand position. In so doing, the player's wrists tend to become "unbent", and, to borrow from a Martha Stewart verbal habit, that is a "good thing". I've had an article published in "The Clarinet" which you may find interesting [Vol 20, No.3 May/June, 1993]; however, your description of you very large fingers gives me pause to wonder just what you can do. Perhaps studying the cataloges of Charles Bay or the BG brochure on thumb rests, etc., may be of some assistance and enlightment. All the very best to you, Earl Thomas
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-02-28 01:23
I thank you all. My keys have been tweeked about as much as possible. I think my next move will be an adjustible thumb rest of some sort. I tried the elbow thing this morning and then rested the bell on piano bench to free my thumb up and this helped.
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