 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2010-08-24 01:52
I'm practicing Rubank Intermediate, Lesson 5, "Etude For Clean Articulation". In measure 19 there are these notes in order (3/4 time):
1/8 notes...4th space E; slur to G just above staff; then staccato 4th sp. E; then staccato 3rd sp. C#; then 1/4 note...2nd space A. (sorry for the very poor description).
My problem is that the book calls for the C# to be played using the RIGHT pinkie C# side key instead of the left pinkie C# key.
In the above case, it seems to me the RH C# is far more difficult to finger than the LH C#.
I have practiced the above many times, over and over, and it still feels very awkward using the RH pinkie.
What would you all use in the above measure? Am I practicing something that I won't really use? If so, why practice it?
I certainly do appreciate your advice.
CarlT
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2010-08-24 01:57
I think personally that the RH C# works best when coming from E because then the RH ring finger and RH pinkie are better-equipped to work together. LH pinkie sometimes is more difficult to coordinate with RH ring finger in my experience.
If your fingers are longer you might be having general problems playing RH C# and (without seeing you to diagnose) I might recommend trying to have the fingers a little more curved.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-08-24 02:41
Etudes books alway suggest what the editor, or publisher, thinks are best and sometimes it's better to practice it both ways to learn both ways. Once you have done that you should choose the one that works the best for you for the final "performance". In this case though I agree with the editor because if you think about it, there's less motion using the RH because the finger does not have to travel as far as does the LH. The less motion the better for quick playing in the long run. That will of course depend on the size of your pinky fingers and if you are positioning your hand correctly or not. Practice it both ways in any case. ESP
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-08-24 12:40
For isolated E/B and F#/C# use the RH touches as there's less mechanism involved, and chances are it'll keep all the notes in the right hand.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2010-08-24 12:53
I got out an old copy of Rubank Intermediate and looked at the measure. I agree with the others that playing it on the right side is the best way.
It is sometimes difficult to move two fingers simultaneously, especially these two fingers, and I think that might be the issue you're facing. Going from D to C-sharp (or high A to G-sharp) with the left hand presents the same kind of problem. I don't have the Rubank Advanced books in front of me, but in both books there are sections that deal with interesting and sometimes awkward fingering situations, and I think this might be one of them.
If it's easier for now, play the C-sharp on the left. It isn't necessarily wrong, but it's not the best way to do it. As others have suggested try, to learn it both ways, and make sure your fingers are curved. When you're warming up, spend a few minutes going from E to C-sharp on the right side very slowly. Ask your teacher to look at your right hand position because this could be an issue.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-08-24 13:19
You absolutely must be facile and smooth either way. Sooner or later, you will run into one of those "you can't get there from here" passages where you'll need the right F#/C#, and you're leaving a hole in your technique if you can't do it without thinking.
You should experiment with making a small adjustment in your right hand position to move your little finger slightly outward. You can straighten out your fingers a little, vary the position of the thumb rest on your thumb or angle your wrist to bring it higher along the body.
A common exercise for learning right hand position is to hold the clarinet out in front of you with the barrel in your left fist, reach out and "shake hands" with your right hand. Another way is to lay the instrument on the floor, thumb rest up and the mouthpiece pointing away from you, and shake hands as you pick it up.
Ken Shaw
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2010-08-24 15:13
Many thanks to all your responses. I will try all suggestions, and I feel much better about the RH pinkie C# now. I do believe it's a matter of me possibly not curving my fingers enough, for my RH pinkie is relatively long, and with better positioning, I should be able to make that feel more naturally.
I have used the RH pinkie C# a lot before, but not much, if any, coming down from 4th space E. I realize now that it is the suggested fingering, so I will practice it.
Again, much obliged to you.
CarlT
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-08-24 17:04
Practice arpeggios and triads using the RH F#/C# and E/B keys to get used to using them.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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