 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Clive
Date: 2007-05-05 09:35
Hi
In my last lesson, I was asked to practise a piece using ( for the first time) the A key. I now realise that I was not instructed how to execute this.
To the present, the left thumb has always been on the thumb hole providing forward pressure thus counterbalancing the fingers of the left and/or right hand, or perhpas just blowing open G.
Now however the right index finger needs to be exerting backward pressure ( i.e. towards the body), but the left thumb is not in its usual place to counterbalance this and the right thumb ( mine at least!) cannot do this.
Having seached the literature, I find no reference to this, so clearly it is regarded as natural, but not to me, and I have difficulty in finding a natural position for the left thumb, which is then suitable for moving quickly to another position, i.e. thumb hole of register key.
Tips appreciated.
Clive
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Author: Clive
Date: 2007-05-05 09:36
Sorry for right index finger above, read left index finger
Clive
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-05-05 11:24
Clive, I just remove the thumb from the horn ....the lower lip reacts to the force of the index finger on the A key. Same for Aflat, open G and F#. Of course, I support the bell on my knee which many players consider bad practice.
Bob Draznik
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-05-05 11:35
the answer is- it IS uncomfortable but one must get used to it. I keep the thumb in the air about .5 - 1 inch from the hole/register key.
It is possible that the springs on your Ab/A keys are too strong causing excess discomfort. this is common by some repair people to save time.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-05-05 12:54
Most teachers say to roll your left index finger up onto the A key, but I don't like this. As you say, it makes you move your thumb out of position.
Keep the motion as small as possible -- just "nudge" your finger up. It helps a lot to watch in a mirror.
As skygardener says, the springs on the Ab and A keys should be fairly light. you shouldn't need to strengthen your finger to be able to get the key open.
The clarinet shouldn't jiggle, either, and you shouldn't need to use your left thumb to support it. Push up gently with your right thumb (on the thumb rest). That plus your embouchure should keep the instrument steady.
Try putting all your right-hand fingers down, which will keep the clarinet steady, while you practice opening the A key as smoothly and gently as possible.
Good luck.
Ken Shaw
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-05-05 17:44
Quote:
Most teachers say to roll your left index finger up onto the A key, but I don't like this. As you say, it makes you move your thumb out of position.
Keep the motion as small as possible -- just "nudge" your finger up. It helps a lot to watch in a mirror.
As skygardener says, the springs on the Ab and A keys should be fairly light. you shouldn't need to strengthen your finger to be able to get the key open.
The clarinet shouldn't jiggle, either, and you shouldn't need to use your left thumb to support it. That's a problem I'm trying to solve now. Thanks for the tip for him (which applies to me). I'm a "roller" for the A key and there's a piece that I play in WWQ where this rolling action jiggles the clarinet and KILLS me when I try to play it. Thanks Ken (I love this board!)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
Post Edited (2007-05-06 12:59)
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Author: Clive
Date: 2007-05-05 23:17
Thanks everyone.
I have no reason to suppose that the spring on my student instrument A key is too strong, and it's no problem to activate it, just that there is then no counterbalance to the force which puts the clarinet out of balance.
However it's clear that it is just something that I'll have to learn, so I must persevere.
Bob:
My lower lip is not yet sufficiently strong to counteract the force of the left index finger on the A key. Perhaps this is a function of my double lip embouchure, but as you know I'm stuck with this :-((
Ken wrote:
<Try putting all your right-hand fingers down, which will keep the clarinet steady, while you practice opening the A key as smoothly and gently as possible.>
Down where Ken, surely not on the finger rings? In practice I can see that this has no deleteious effect, but is that good practice?
Clive
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Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2007-05-06 02:34
Clive: Having the right fingers down when playing the throat tones is a common practice, and taught as a good practice to learn in many student texts. It not only helps to steady the clarinet when you have only your left thumb or index finger down, or no left hand digits down, but also helps in crossing the break by having the right hand fingers already in place. Eu
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Author: pewd
Date: 2007-05-06 02:49
>My lower lip is not yet sufficiently strong
what are you doing with your top teeth?
keep your top teeth in contact with the top of mouthpiece,.
make sure your right thumb is under the thumb rest, applying gentle upwards pressure.
those 2 should keep the clarinet firmly fixed in your mouth
you should be able to play an open G with nothing touching the clarinet except your right thumb and your mouth - practice until you can do this without the mouthpiece wobbling around.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Clive
Date: 2007-05-06 09:38
Thanks for the furthe info, people.
EuGeneSee:
Thanks for the " good practice" info. , that will help I think.
pewd :
<what are you doing with your top teeth?>
Therein lies a fundamental problem. I am unable to keep my top teeth on the mouthpiece AND blow. This is almost certainly a function of the shape of my jaw. e.g. I am often accused by friends of "never smiling". This isn't so, but even in a broad smile you'd only get a flash of my top teeth, and even in a guffaw, you'd not see them all. Thus as Bob knows, I am effectively forced to use double lip embouchure, which in itself is not a problem.
I have no problem in blowing open G in this configuration and certainly never when the left thumb is in use. The problem arises when playing A, because there is ( small) backward pressure not counteracted by the left thumb, and of course not by the top teeth. Now that I know it is acceptable to keep the fingers of the right hand down in such circumstances that will certainly help, by providing a positive grip between right thumb and the first three fingers of the right hand.
Whether I can find a convenient position for my left thumb on the body of the instrument when playing A, AND capable of returning quickly to the thumb hole, remains an open question. Sometimes, I guess, one just has to adapt?
Clive
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-05-06 13:01
Clive -
You adjust the position of the clarinet to match the shape of your jaw.
A number of great clarinetists have had a short jaw and, therefore, a receding chin -- Robert Marcellus, Daniel Bonade, Bernard Portnoy and Ralph McLane. They held the instrument nearly vertical.
Others have had a long jaw -- David Weber, Benny Goodman and Alan Balter. They held the clarinet nearly straight out.
Steve Girko has a short jaw and uneven teeth. He holds the clarinet low and rotates the mouthpiece to the side. He's one of the best players you'll ever hear.
There's no way that works for everyone.
Guy Chadash says to put your lower lip at the point where the reed leaves the lay, and to put your upper teeth much higher. That should work for you.
Finally, many great players have used a double lip embouchure, with the upper lip over the upper teeth. I play that way and had to work to strengthen my upper lip to hold the instrument steady for notes that had no fingers down on the front of the instrument -- first space F, clarion high C and throat open G. While many teachers condemn this, I often rest the bell on my knee to steady the instrument.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Clive
Date: 2007-05-06 23:20
Ken
Thanks that's helpful. Good to know my anatomy is not that weird!
Clive
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-05-07 14:41
....sorta like, "where do you put your left foot when it's not on the clutch?"
Bob Draznik
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2007-05-07 14:47
BobD wrote:
> ....sorta like, "where do you put your left foot when it's not
> on the clutch?"
Dead pedal ...
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-05-07 23:45
Since my car has no clutch, I bring my left foot up to operate the turn signals, and sometimes the horn.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-05-08 21:55
....wish I still had my Studebaker or my Hudson....
Bob Draznik
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