 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: twiggymoo
Date: 2009-03-05 17:15
Hi,
Well, after 40 years, I am picking up the clarinet again. Back in the day in grade school, I don't remember much - except that the keys are alot closer (or my fingers are a lot longer since I was 12:) ; I am using a Bundy plastic clarinet - bought for $30 to see how it would go. It works good and although I haven't even attempted the altissimo, I've had a few squeaks - I've gotten some good pointers from this board.
Are the more professional clarinet finger holes configured or spaced differently or are they all (for Bb) exactly the same? Maybe it's the thumb rest position - I hope you know what I mean as I may not be describing my question adequately. I have to twist my right fingers unnaturally in relation to where my right thumb is at the thumb rest.
Twiggy
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Author: Cindyr
Date: 2009-03-05 18:17
Twiggy:
Good luck on starting again! I did the same over 3 years ago, after a 30 year absence, and now I'm the president of the local community concert band.
Some good advice that I got was that a little practice everyday, or frequently, is better than a 1 1/2 hour practice session a week.
I'm not sure how to answer your question. I have tried different brand clarinets, and haven't had an issue with the finger placements except on antique Albert System clarinets, where the right finger placements are further apart. The Selmer clarinets have slightly larger tone holes, I believe.
It may just be your getting used to the fingering position. Some of the many well-qualified experts on this board should be able to answer your question.
Cindy
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-03-05 18:24
While I certainly don't qualify as "expert," I can say that different clarinets have slightly different placement of keywork and possibly the underlying toneholes, depending on the bore of the clarinet, the keywork and other variables. To find one that feels right for you would be a good idea, as you will be more likely to play it regularly. Example, I started out on a Bundy back in 1968, but never really liked the feel of the keywork. Same goes for a Selmer 10 G a friend of mine is school had; it felt too much like the Bundy. On the other hand, I always liked the feel of the Evette and later Buffet R13 clarinets. They felt more natural in my hands.
I know am playing a Lyrique, which has a different feel to the keywork, mostly on the right hand. It is taking a little time for me to accustom myself to the new clarinet, but the performance of the instrument is making it worth the work. Outside of the different feel of the keywork, I actually prefer it in some ways to my R13.
Jeff
Edited to correct numerous typos
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2009-03-06 12:01)
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Author: twiggymoo
Date: 2009-03-05 20:10
Right now I practice about 15 min a day, after I get home from work - that's all I can take for now since I'm just beginning and using little muscles I haven't used before!
I am looking for a good beginner book.
I'd heard that some key work on clarinets varies in spacing; I think if I could move up the thumb rest, but I should probably get used to it.
I want to learn this clarinet, then I'll spring for a better model. It will take time and patience -
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2009-03-05 20:21
Twiggy, there is an excellent set of books ffrom one of the sponsors of this board. It's called Skill Buildiers. Just to to the list of sponsors on the right hand side of the home page and click on Music, and you will see them. I have books 1 and 2 and they have excellent descriptions and photos of embouchure and hand position. They really helped me.
I also only started clarinet about two years ago and am now playing in a community band. It really has helped me to read and play different music and rythms.
Enjoy your clarinet.
Leonard
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Author: William
Date: 2009-03-05 21:08
As far as keywork and tone hole placement, the Bundy clarinet is about as "user friendly" as you can get. Practice some scales in thirds and you will soon get the feel of it again. As for the thumb rest, if you would like to move, do so. I like my thumb rests to be in line with the lower edge of the second tone hold, or a bit higher. That frees up the rh little finger for those B4 and C#5 notes that may feel a bit "crunched" if the rest is too low. You don't have to drill new holes for those tiny screws, just use some Elmers and glue it where you want it. Glueing the rest in place rather than drilling new holes was advocated by the retired Professor Stanley Hasty of the Eastman School of Music. He said, "then, if you don't like where it is, just knock it off and move it again--no empty holes to worry about."
Welcome back--"play well an prosper", paraphrase, Spock of "Star Trek"
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Author: pewd
Date: 2009-03-05 21:45
have a teacher check your hand position - make sure you're holding it properly before messing with equipment. can you take one or 2 lessons, and have your right thumb and hand position checked?
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Bluesparkle
Date: 2009-03-06 00:06
I see rather new clarinetists often play with rigid fingers and hands. Relax your grip, curve your fingers gently, and don't lift your fingers too far from the clarinet as you move from note to note. Some of the kids in the middle school band lift their fingers way off of the holes, sticking straight out. When it comes time to cover the hole again, they have to not only cover a lot of distance, but they have to get their fingers repositioned over the holes. If they were to lay their finger over the hole without re-bending their finger, then they'd be covering the holes just past their middle knuckles instead of the pads of their fingers. That would make their fingers "too long."
If you are holding and fingering properly, maybe you'd prefer bass clarinet?
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-03-06 08:23
For what it's worth, not that you are an example of this, but I've seem some people with VERY 'fat' fingers (thick as boards!) play some VERY delicate instruments including clarinet, flute, and others. One of the best examples I remember were one time just catching some late-night special where Itzak Perlman was asked to play the theme to Schindler's List. I saw a very large man with what seemed like a TINY violin in his what I can only call "paws" walk onto stage and take a seat. And then was mesmorized for the next five minutes at the beauty that came out of it.
So if there's the will, there's a way. Your best bet is to find a teacher in the area (as a beginner or re-beginner, it doesn't have to necessarily be the principle chair of a major symphony!) and have them work with you on the basics, including hand position, embouchure, etc.
Alexi
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Author: KV
Date: 2009-03-10 03:09
Twiggymoo,
Clarinet lessons were offered free to some select kids in the 4th grade due to our "skill" with the "recorder." I was picked! Dad was estatic and picked up a used clarinet from the defunct "Volunteer Fireman's Band. There was no case so I wrapped the darn thing in rags and stuck it in an old doll trunk of some kind. I had a crack somewhere and I never made it past 2nd chair in anything. We patched it up and patched it up and I used it for years. Mother said that I would enjoy it more when I got older. (Her age?!? Yikes!)
When my son was ready to start an instrument I thought of the nasty old clarinet that I had since 4th grade, nixed that idea, and got him a shiny almost new Bundy. He stayed with it from 5th-12th grade and taught me a thing or two!
Since then I had the "ancient one" refurbished for $300 and I was glad I did. It never sounded so good and I got to run through some of the band music Jon was playing.
It was the best money I ever spent and I am thrilled. I tossed out the #1 and 2 reeds for #3 and found new success in the upper registers. I had lost the callous in my bottom lip but found a nice fit again. Since I have eye sight issues, I blew up the fingering chart in the "Essential Technique" book Intermediate to Advanced ( c 1993 Hal Leonard Publishing company) about 180% and mounted it on a vary large board for instant reference. Then I plowed through all the exercises--There are 159. Also I got some nice melodies to concentrate on things I love to hear-Stranger on the Shore by Aker Bilk (spell?)
Practice-practice-every day--
It is true. Great fun to revisit an old skill. Mom was right on target. I am older now than she was when she passed away.
Congratulations and much success to you. Let us know from time to time how you are doing.
kimvawter72@cox.net
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Author: William
Date: 2009-03-10 14:36
Alexi--Some years ago, I played at a wedding reception for Isaac Stern's son and was quite surprised when Isaac walked past me in the hall way. He was rather short, quite large, but what was most remarkable, his hands were those of what I would describe as a Great Lakes fisherman--huge with rather fat, stubby fingers. They could have been those of a longshoreman or lumberjack, not at all "delicate" or what you would expect from a world class violin virutoso. Could this be the violinst you saw walk on stage with the "tiny violin in his huge paws" on that late night TV special??
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