 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Elkwoman46
Date: 2011-10-15 17:52
I would like to inquire...and I don't want to develop long term bad habits, is there a basic formula for choosing a fingering for a note that has various "alternate" choices?
I am not talking about trills or things like that, but how to practice choosing the correct alternate now, instead of down the road when it might be hard to break a habit of selection...
Is the secret basically selecting an alternate that makes it easier on the previous note, or the note to come?
Any information about this online?
Any words of advice on this matter?
Thanks so kindly.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2011-10-15 18:06
It always depends on context. For example, left hand B/E and right hand C/F are "standard" but C#/F# is half the time on the left, half the time on the right. You choose which C#/F# fingering based on the notes on both sides.
That said, there will be exceptions. The D#/G# choice will regulate things like left C/F and right B/E. It also, of course, will stipulate left C#/F# too...
As far as other fingerings, the G#/C# left hand fingering also can cause trouble with the above-mentioned notes.
Additionally, chromatic F#/B shouldn't be used when preceded or followed by notes which require your RH ring finger on its "usual" hole...
Alternate fingerings are a big subject. If you encounter problems in a specific passage, you can always ask here....
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2011-10-15 19:41
As Katrina says, fingerings depend on context. If you want to avoid developing bad habits, the best approach would probably be to start taking lessons with a qualified teacher who can watch you as you play, answer questions on the spot and make suggestions/correct bad choices as they occur.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2011-10-15 20:55
In the end the use of alternate fingerings does depend on context, but the "correct" selection depends on what fingering turns out to sound the best when you use it in the context.
Sometimes an awkward technical passage becomes easier *for you* if you use an alternate that makes an easier motion from the preceding note. Sometimes it becomes easier if the alternate provides a smoother movement to the next note. Sometimes it depends on how long the note is sustained and how the particular fingering you want to consider sounds on your clarinet - I can use some fingerings on my instruments in rapid passages where fingering ease is important but not in places where the note must be held (e.g. 1 and 1 B-flat) because the alternate is slightly out of tune or unstable.
In the end the point of using alternate fingerings is to make a passage *sound* better than it would (or might) with the standard fingering. The best guide is your ear.
Karl
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-10-15 22:25
Learn at least 3 fingerings for every high note so you're prepared for any combination of passages, 4 when possible. This is what's most important, intonation, intonation, intonation. Get my point. Yes, you do need to have something that might be a little out of tune for a very difficult and very fast passage, other than that, it's intonation. Some fingerings work better for large skips and others for scale passages. I have a good chart of the high fingerings on my website. Some are a bit flat or a bit sharp, I only use them when it's not possible to use the in tune ones. Last resort. ESP eddiesclairnet.come
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-10-17 02:39
Of course you may be getting at a problem that's bothered me for years, which is 'is there a BEST way,' and 'do you need to avoid the least optimum fingering?'
For me, I find just alternating various fingerings helps to keep things fluid and gives me options when I DON'T have much time to think. One example is playing the clarion C# above the break in keys where it's not necessary ("D" and "A"). Other such alternates for fun are using the sliver key instead of the fork for B/F, or the side keys for chalumeau F# instead of the first left finger.
Mixing it up and having more than one way actually makes life easier, for me.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: Elkwoman46
Date: 2011-10-17 17:41
I think my problem is that I tend to forget the other alternates once I have been using one and forget all about the other options (or just go to the easiest fingering I learned), alternate fingering for a note...so I make life difficult for myself...I like to print off fingering charts available online and have noticed that they do not point out the main ones to use, it is like a "you choose" option, of course.
Perhaps one of the secrets is to really learn all the alternates as quickly as possible, so that I don't fall into a seriously bad habit of hindering myself.
I really appreciate all your comments (above) and thank you so very much.
I am listening (reading above), intently.
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