 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2000-10-21 02:48
When my hands were made my little fingers got put on crooked. My little finger joints are articulated in such a way that the finger flexes in toward the thumb, limiting its effective reach toward distant keys. This isn't normally a problem, but now that I have a bass clarinet which has an ever-so-helpful key for playing low G# and Eb with the left hand as well as the right, I am quite frustrated because I've always wished for such a key on my soprano, and now I have one on my bass, and I can't reach it!! I understand some famous composer developed a finger stretching device, fell asleep with it on, and spoiled his hands for playing piano, thus becoming a composer by default. I suppose I could try it. Does anyone have any better suggestions?
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Author: jerry
Date: 2000-10-21 09:29
NO!...........................but I lke your story.
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Author: Katherine Pincock
Date: 2000-10-21 11:17
If I remember right, it was Schumann who pulled the finger-stretching trick...but I don't think I'd advise it. ;-)
As for your finger problem, I can't be sure, because I can't see what's going on, but your description sounds almost like a friend of mine on soprano clarinet. She has very loose joints, to the point of being double jointed, and often when she tries to reach out with her fingers, they lock in place instead, curving in unexpected directions. She solved the problem by using various devices to relieve some of the stress on her hand--she uses a neckstrap, but you can also get special hand braces made that will help. I don't know for sure if this is the situation, but if it sounds like it might be right, you might want to try it.
Another option is to find someone who will build an extender onto the key itself. It might cost a bit, because it would have to be custom work, but you might be able to get it built up just enough to make it easier to reach.
Hope that helps!
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Author: Lelia
Date: 2000-10-21 14:31
Maybe you could get an exchange or at least a refund on those fingers with the manufacturing defect....
;-)
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Author: Jim
Date: 2000-10-21 15:21
Hello Ken, I have the same finger shape, my last fingernail joint is pointed in towards my ring finger..My mother has it, and my grandmother had the same hand formation...I have four children and none of them have my hands!!! On my bass, I have a Vito, I had a repairman extend my two long keys on the left hand side, one half inch, and bend the G# key up....It cost me $100, but it was worth it!! It's like playing my soprano clarinet!!! On my flute, I added a piece of plastic hose to my G# key, which on the flute is the key for my left hand pinkey..On my soprano clarinet, I did the same thing , added a piece of plastic tubing to the low E key..
I heated the plastic tubing in boiling water, until it was pliant enough to slip over the keys...
Jim
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-10-21 15:58
Some good ideas. I think since you are on the West Coast, you might want to contact Charles Bay and see what he has to say. IMO, he is well qualified when it comes to the subject of clarinet hand & finger position. I'd consult with him. Good luck. mw
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Author: Daniel Bouwmeester
Date: 2000-10-21 21:37
Hello,
I know a guy in Geneva, René Hagmann who owns a specialized woodwind shop, who makes custom parts for clarinet..... Hagmann is the guy that Buffet Crampon calls when they want to have special parts for their professional customers... For example Hagmann is the guy that designed Woody Allen's clarinet.... Anyway.... I have his catalogue in front of me and he makes a G# key which he can put on your clarinet... for 450 swiss francs = 250 $...
He can build on your will any system you want if you have a serious finger malformation...
His Adress is :
Servette 92 Music
c/o René Hagmann
92 Rue de la servette
1202 Geneva
Switzerland
Tel. ++41 (22) 733 70 73
Fax ++41 (22) 734 56 51
Email servette-music@mail.pingnet.ch
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-10-22 00:46
wow, that's right on the currency/cost issue:
Universal Currency Converter™ Results by Xenon Labs
Rates as of 2000.10.21 20:36:55 EDT.
450.00 CHF Switzerland Francs = 251.847 United States Dollars
If you were looking for a key to be re-made, you might also want to check with Stephen Fox in Canada. He had a Booth at ClarinetFest showing off the Clarinets he manufactures. I was impressed with the sound. I believe he has a excellent reputation for quality when it comes to Basset Horns. Of course, one would have to figure shipping into the cost equation, and that could run pretty high. Unless of course, these specialists had a model to work with or you just sent them a key to copy and make longer, etc.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-10-22 01:28
This trait also occurs in my family. My father, myself, and both my daughters have fingers that are not straight. The little finger and ring finger curve toward the thumb while the index and middle fingers curve away from the thumb.
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Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2000-10-24 01:01
You guys have really helped. My local repairman, who I was planning to hire for an overhaul on the horn anyway, says he can splice more length into the keys that are hard to reach. Its only money. I'll do it!
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