 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: buckeye75
Date: 2013-06-23 14:57
I am 62 and have lost some finger flexibility Specifically I have trouble reaching the lower side keys with my left pinkie. When I play these notes, my hand tends to rotate, leaving holes uncovered. I have bent keys, but still tend to miss notes in rapid passages. I would like to know if anyone has ideas for finger stretching techniques that might help.
Thanks
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Author: Maruja
Date: 2013-06-23 15:05
My teacher sold me a device called Gripmaster (Prohands) which is supposed to exercise your fingers - you can concentrate on the ones you like. My husband says that rock climbers use them to give them flexibility and strength. I practise when watching television. I am not entirely convinced, but then I haven't been using them for long...
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2013-06-23 15:22
Be careful!! Schumann was not.
richard smith
Post Edited (2013-06-23 15:24)
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2013-06-23 15:56
You might discuss this with your doctor to see whether there could be any involvement of pinched ulnar nerves - in your elbow, shoulder or neck - contributing to the problem. Maybe not, but if nerve compression is involved, the solution could be different from those that could help arthritic stiffness or lack of strength and flexibility in the tendons themselves.
Karl
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Author: William
Date: 2013-06-23 15:57
Some "pinkie" flexability may be gained by moving the thumb rest a little higher. A common guideline is to have the rest positioned directly under the right hand first finger ring, although "whatever makes your fingers feel more comfortable" might be a better criteria. Also, although I have not tried them, a Tom Ridenour "thumb saddle" might help. I understand it fits right over your thumb rest raising the height of your thumb off the clarinet which frees your finger action as well.
Finger stretching exercises are NOT RECOMMENDED (imho)
Post Edited (2013-06-24 15:13)
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2013-06-23 16:47
I have the same loss of finger flexibility. I found a Ridenour thumb saddle to be beneficial, although it mostly benefits the right hand. If the L/H pinkie keys are really causing you a problem, consider getting a competent tech to extend them to where you can comfortably reach. It would not be difficult to do.
Tony F.
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Author: gkern
Date: 2013-06-23 17:57
I was having a problem with the left F#/C# pinkie key on a vintage horn with the added Ab/Eb lever also. I rotated the upper joint as far to the left as the bridge key would allow, and it seemed to solve the problem for me.
I am 13 years your senior, and the right hand E/B pinkie key is a bit of a stretch on some clarinets also; however, I'm afraid it's not going to get any better as I age, so I just live with it and still love playing!
Gary K
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Author: gemini-clarinet
Date: 2013-06-23 19:25
I lost some of the dexterity and mobility in my left hand after a craniotomy (brain surgery) several years ago. I have some trouble with the left side keys, and especially the left pinkie C#/G# key. I had my thumb rest moved up which helped quite a bit. I find that if I keep my left arm out too far, I can hardly use the last 2 fingers of that hand. It took me a while, but I finally was able to find a position which will work. When I am having a particularly tough time, I also use a neck strap.
Barry
Tucson, AZ
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-06-23 21:55
Just a thought.
You may try just re-thinking your left hand's approach to the clarinet altogether. If you position your fingers such that they are more perpendicular to the horn, the left pinky will fall right upon the pinky keys. Moving from the B to the C# will become a matter more of curling and uncurling now rather than lateral movement. I've found this to be more comfortable for myself. The ONLY difference of note in this position is that your index finger must now be the lateral mover toward the "A" key (second space).
.................Paul Aviles
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