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 Bass clarinet thumb
Author: alanporter 
Date:   2011-04-16 19:48

I have been playing bass clarinet for four years with no problem However, a band piece I now have to play gives me fast repeated eigth notes Eb4 to Bb4. There is no time to remove my thumb from the G hole and put the pad of my thumb on the register key. I have to roll the side of my thumb onto the register key and I am developing pain and imflammation in the tissue alongside the edge of my nail. It has become so bad that it now hurts to play the soprano. Can anyone think of a solution around this problem ?
Thank you.
Alan

tiaroa@shaw.ca

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 Re: Bass clarinet thumb
Author: tictactux 2017
Date:   2011-04-16 20:00

Can you use the side trill keys (3rd plus "A" throat) for the Bb instead of the traditional "pinch" Bb?

--
Ben

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 Re: Bass clarinet thumb
Author: EEBaum 
Date:   2011-04-16 20:26

Depends on how your hand angle approaches it. For me, the pad of my thumb presses the thumb key, while the tip presses the register. Does that not work with your instrument / hand shape?

-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com

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 Re: Bass clarinet thumb
Author: DNBoone 
Date:   2011-04-17 00:16

I second what EEbaum said. Knowing that though, The Yamaha I use to play on had the teardrop shaped register key and you can't really hit it without holding your thumb straight up or moving it to play it. If you put it straight up, it becomes impossible to reach all the pinky keys. Not sure I ever found a good solution with it.

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 Re: Bass clarinet thumb
Author: alanporter 
Date:   2011-04-17 16:36

Thank you for the comments. I hold my thumb perpendicular to the instrument and have to roll it sideways on to the register key, which is what hurts. If I hold the thumb parallel to the horn I have problems with the left pinkie keys, as one of you mentioned. My hands are small. Ben's suggestion of using the side trill key is a possibility. I have routinely been using the lowest trill key for Eb, but I have been trying the two index fingers for Eb and the 3rd key for Bb. I am an elderly amateur, at the age where changes don't come easily, but I will keep on trying.
Many thanks.
Alan

tiaroa@shaw.ca

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 Re: Bass clarinet thumb
Author: EEBaum 
Date:   2011-04-17 18:53

For long-term ease of play, you might also look at getting the key modified by a technician.

-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com

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 Re: Bass clarinet thumb
Author: clarnibass 
Date:   2011-04-18 03:13

How about putting something like a band-aid on your finger, or maybe even a few of them, with the fabric part in the nail and finger connection? See if that helps.

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