 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2008-05-16 03:21
First time poster here.
I'm a 70 year-old retiree, and I've had about 6 clarinet lessons now. I really do enjoy it so far.
I've a question to ask: My teacher wants me to get 2nd line "G" by holding the right hand down (fingers 1,2&3) instead of just open. I have searched the web and can find no one else promoting getting "G" that way. Sometimes it's harder not to use the "open" G.
What do you experts think of that? Should I try to get him to allow me to just play it open, or not?
Thanks for your input. I appreciate this forum and have already learned a lot from it.
CarlT
CarlT
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Author: Merlin_Williams
Date: 2008-05-16 03:36
It's not necessary to finger G this way, but there can be benefits.
1. increased resonance/better tuning
2. good preparation for crossing into the clarion register
3. it helps stabilize the instrument.
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Author: RLSchwebel
Date: 2008-05-16 04:32
Carl:
Merlin is completely correct. I usually use 1 & 2 on the RH (ooo xxo) on my Buffet for optimal resonance. I just say find the fingering combination that sounds and tunes the best for your set-up and consider it your "standard" fingering for the G as you would for your resonant fingerings for G#, A, Bb.
Best of Luck!
~robt
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2008-05-16 04:39
I vary the position of my RH fingers on open G for intonation purposes, depending on harmonic context, which clarinet I'm playing, and where the rest of the ensemble is, tuning-wise. Anywhere from no fingers to all with the E or F key to just the Ab key to bring pitch up. Same goes for Ab, A, Bb.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
Post Edited (2008-05-16 04:39)
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Author: DTrinh09
Date: 2008-05-16 04:42
Tuning-wise, i use the resonance fingerings to lower the pitch of my 'open' G, Ab, and A (sometimes throat Bb)--which are typically sharp on my E11. I'd pull the barrel out more, but my thumb F and pincher E will go extremely flat. not sure how else to find a happy medium...
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2008-05-16 09:03
This is indeed a 'resonance fingering' intended to make the note sound more pleasant (and also perhaps tweak the tuning). It's a cousin of the important resonance fingering for throat Bb, which is to hold down the third finger of each hand (and the C/F key if you have time).
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-05-16 10:01
Keeping the right hand fingers down for open G will also be good practice when going between the lower and upper registers - eg. the interval G up to B - keep the right hand fingers down in preparation for crossing the break, so you're only closing the left hand fingers (the thumb closes the thumb tube and opens the speaker key at the same time).
This will make the 'crossing the break' bit smoother when you come to doing this, so your teacher is probably teaching you this (keeping the RH fingers down) in advance for when it comes to playing intervals crossing the break. It just means you're keeping some fingers down rather than having all fingers off to suddenly putting all fingers down which makes for lumpy playing.
The RH fingers can also be kept down for the other throat notes (G#/Ab, A and Bb) to add substance to them. I think it's good that he's getting you to do this so early on, rather than several years down the line.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: srattle
Date: 2008-05-16 10:37
Using these fingerings will also help if you need to play these notes in fortissimo. It generally has more resonance, and power, but also security of tone.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2008-05-16 13:23
"The RH fingers can also be kept down for the other throat notes (G#/Ab, A and Bb) to add substance to them. I think it's good that he's getting you to do this so early on, rather than several years down the line."
The above comment from Chris is also excellent and something I didn't learn until later in life also. Good Luck....
Bob Draznik
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2008-05-16 14:36
Yes, it's a good point that in general, very fast work across the break can be helped by moving the RH fingers as little as possible.
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2008-05-16 16:05
I want to thank all who responded to my post. You all have been very helpful to me, and I do appreciate you.
I will keep playing 2nd line "G" with right hand fingers down until/unless my teacher tells me otherwise. I also am putting this thread on my favorites for future reference, for it has some very helpful hints for other notes, as well.
Again, thanks.
CarlT
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Author: MaggieMay
Date: 2008-05-18 20:42
Wow, I've just read these posts and a whole new world of clarinet playing has just been opened to me!! I didn't think that other fingerings than the basic ones were possible!! I kept thinking that my Bflat, G G sharp and A weren't great but I put that down to inexperience. 6 years lessons and no-one ever mentioned that before!! Must get the clarinet out and have a go right away.
Thanks to all (I don't contribute but I read most of the posts)
Maggie
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