 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinettefaerie
Date: 2010-06-26 03:49
So, I'm beginning to look into ways to alter my clarinet to be more "me" friendly. My clarinet teacher suggested at my lesson today to try putting padding from rubber tubing under my thumb rest to change my hand position on the lower joint-- still experimenting to see if it helps. One of the biggest problems I face is the fact that I have small hands. It is difficult for my left pinky to reach for the E/B, F/C, and F#/C# keys on the lower joint. Would it be possible to alter these keys at all? I've found that in general, Buffets don't usually suit my hands very well. I've played on older Leblanc clarinets, and I've always really liked how the keywork feels, but as a college student, I don't have that kind of dough. I'm just trying to find some cheaper shortcuts around having to purchase a new instrument.
Anyone know of any other tricks or alterations that have worked? I'm open to just about anything...
Thanks much.
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2010-06-26 04:15
It is very simple to add length to the keys.
I have done this to all my pinky keys. Although my fingers and hands are long, my pinkys are a little on the short side.
I did all the work myself, so there was not cost involved.
Any good repair person can take sheet brass, form it to the key, and have it soldered onto the key. This is the cheapest, and it is not visually beautiful because of the different color and shape, but YOU (the player) won't see that when you are playing.
Other options to add length to make the addition invisible are very possible for good repair people, but come at a higher price.
I recommend this to anyone, though. Since I made my clarinet fit me (and not the other way around) I have had a great improvement and ease in my playing.
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Author: Franklin Liao
Date: 2010-06-26 04:30
So far, the only thing that I've done for myself is getting a Kooiman Etude 2 onto my Bb. It really took away quite a bit of strain. This I like more than getting a strap, and I think I will have it as a standard add-on with any clarinet that I will own in the future.
As for other modifications, I am still at the requirement discovery phase.
Post Edited (2010-06-26 04:31)
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-06-26 13:22
I have large hands, and the Leblanc "jump key" keywork has always felt better to me than Buffet or Selmer. The difference is mainly in the position of the trill keys, which are more toward the top of the body on the Leblanc. For me, this makes them easier to reach, particularly the bottom on for Eb/Bb. On my Buffet R13s, the key touch is below the center joint on my right index finger, which forces me to straighten out the finger, at least slightly. On Leblancs, the key is on or slightly above the joint, which makes it easy to reach. The keys for the right and left little fingers are also better positioned.
On the Bb R13 I used to play, I had the Eb/Bb key touch enlarged and extended. This is obviously an individual matter, based on the shape of your hands and fingers.
It's possible to go crazy with alterations. See Rosario Mazzeo's insane clarinet.
http://orgs.usd.edu/nmm/Clarinets/Mazzeo/5833/Mazzeo5833.html
http://clarinetcorner.wordpress.com/2010/06/17/the-california-custom-clarinet/
The alteration I had, though, was small and not expensive.
Ken Shaw
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2010-06-26 13:34
You mentioned putting rubber tubing on your thumb rest. I did that for a long time, but a few years ago I discovered the BG thumb cushion and I think it works even better. You might also want to look into Tom Ridenour's thumb saddle.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-06-26 13:35
I agree with having an extension added to the left hand keys is probably the way to go. I had that problem in my right hand, my fingers reached but felt a strain. I lowered the thumb rest considerably and it feels great. On my new Selmer, which came with an adjustable thumb rest, something you can get installed if you don't have one, I even had that made longer to bring my pinky closer to the lower keys. It all works for me. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-06-26 23:30
Left hand can be a real easy fix. Just make your fingers PERPENDICULAR to the horn rather than slanting down. Notice you have a TON of room with the G# key (why?......just for this reason). Also, now your thumb will be a little more IN-LINE with the horn making register key maneuvers easier.
Your pinky will not only reach, you may even have to curl it a little. The only balancing act is that you begin to run out of room between the left pinky keys and your third finger.
I play more like this with large hands.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: clarinettefaerie
Date: 2010-06-26 23:47
Ben... My teacher actually gave me some purple foam to work with (also because I like purple and could find something to do with it, even if it didn't pertain to clarinet :o) ), and I stuffed the thumb part into my piece of rubber tubing. It's already working pretty well.
Because I (really, seriously) have small hands, I have issues with keeping my left index finger up enough to be poised for the G# key, so lowering it further wouldn't help matters. I'm considering getting the left hand keys on the lower joint lengthened (or having brass added on... I have yet to contact my repairman to look into that), because I know it would help make my finger action smoother and less tense. I'm going to talk to my clarinet teacher about it some more, and figure out what else I can do to make things a little more efficient.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-06-27 02:19
The Ridenour Thumb Saddle does wonders for the right thumb. Check it out here; they are quite reasonable! : http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/Thumb.htm
Jeff
“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."
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Author: GLHopkins
Date: 2010-06-27 03:34
I went thru the customizing thing in the 70s. I added a piece to operate the C#/G# with my right index finger like the new Leblancs. I narrowed the sliver keys and shortened them. I've moved the thumbrest all over the place trying to get the perfect feel. Once, I added a "bis" to the D/A key on the top joint. I even built up the A and Ab keys with thick cork so my wrist didn't move when using them. Some of it was worthwhile, and some wasn't. Now, all I do is put a thick rubber tube on the thumbrest, and not worry about the other.
The best thing I've done is add LH Ab/Eb levers that work well, but I never use them. Buffet used to sell a kit for adding this to your 17/6 R-13.
I do think I'll get one of Ridenour's thumb saddles to try.
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Author: davetrow
Date: 2010-06-27 04:29
On my R13 I turned my thumb rest around to effectively move it higher, but I think I'll eventually go for a Kooiman Maestro. I also had my technician raise the Ab key for the same reason as GLH.
Dave Trowbridge
Boulder Creek, CA
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Author: stebinus2
Date: 2010-07-06 07:33
Attachment: cl key extensions ed.jpg (55k)
You can easily make temporary extensions for the left pinky spatulas with plastic and tape. I cut out pieces from an aspirin bottle and used black friction tape. It doesn't hurt the keys or anything. Just clean them up with alcohol when you take the tape off. This way you can experiment with how long you want the extensions before you have someone fabricating them permanently. Truth to tell if you don't mind the funky look these will last quite a long time and can be easily repaired.
Post Edited (2010-07-06 07:39)
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2010-07-06 08:38
The early Yamaha clarinets (pre C100) seem to be well-suited to small hands, and properly set up they can perform well.
Tony F.
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