 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: W
Date: 2014-01-20 21:54
I'm playing on a fairly old selmer signet soloist, started about half a year ago, and I'm finding that my left index finger naturally rests on and can sometimes slightly depress the G#/Aflat side key, and the side of my left ring finger can sometimes brush onto the c#. Both of these cause squeaks, especially with big finger changes, such as going over the break. Is this something I just need to get used to, or can I blame my clarinet?
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Author: kdk
Date: 2014-01-21 03:16
You can certainly blame your clarinet - but no one will care. You want to eliminate as much of the squeaking as possible - accepting that an occasional one is pretty much inevitable.
Check your hand position and see if there's a way to change it without making you feel uncomfortable. But everyone's hands are different and sometimes an individual's hands don't work well with the instrument's design. I've found that my repairman is a great help in seeing problems from an objective point of view and devising ways to change the keys - position, size, height, etc. - to get them out of my way. If you have a good repair tech or know where to find someone, you may be able to make the clarinet much more friendly to your hands.
Karl
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2014-01-21 03:23
Because I have large spatulate fingers I have always had the same problem. I modify all my clarinets by forming the keywork so that my fingers clear the keys, if necessary thinning the sliver keys by filing and polishing. I do this work myself, but if you're not comfortable doing it then it would be only a minor job for a tech.
In the case of the G#/Ab I form the key so that it is no longer exactly parallel to the bore, thinning the touchpiece if necessary. I used to play a Soloist myself, and the keys are fairly malleable. I use 2 pairs of silicon bronze pliers for key bending so as not to scratch the keys.
Before you consider bending the keys, take a critical look at your hand positions using a mirror. It may be that a minor change of hand position will help.
Tony F.
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Author: RAB
Date: 2014-01-21 05:44
I think that your technician could help a lot. The spring tension might need to be tightened, the key touches might need repositioned or modified, and the pads should be checked to make sure they are sealing as completely as they can. If the pads have a slight leak then a very "light" touch could open the leak more. It might take a combination of all of these things to help.
I have completely re made some keys to fit a persons hands. It can be done. Keep playing !! Hope this helps.
Rod
Rodney Berry
Repair Dept
Muncy Winds Music Company
Boone, N.C.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-01-21 06:45
Hmmmmmmm...........
First I'd like to applaud the fact that you keep you fingers down low (at least the LH index and ring fingers!). Keeping the fingers closer to the horn allows for a faster technique. I've always fought to keep them from being too high.
Personally I'd recommend training where and how you deploy your fingers. Even as an 'over-fifty' player I find reasons to retrain ways I finger notes or how I hold the clarinet. And I find this MUCH easier and less costly than modifying keys.
Also, spring tension MUST be ONLY the balance between how much force you need to keep the pads down (for the closed holes of course) while blowing through the horn vs. the easiest touch possible for ease of technique. Why some techs (and players) insist on fighting their horns on technique I'll NEVER know!
The troubling point you made was the index finger moving your C#/G# key (if I'm reading this right). You need to keep your LH third finger hovering over the third hole AT ALL TIMES !!! This finger's only job is to move up and down. The sliver key just above it is used quite rarely and shouldn't be a consideration for finger position at all (except NOT to accidentally tap it open....if you meant that one).
...................Paul Aviles
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2014-01-21 04:14
>> Is this something I just need to get used to, or can I blame my clarinet? <<
Yes
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2014-01-21 18:40
Don't blame your clarinet. The poor thing is doing its best under adverse circumstances. Scold your finger.
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Author: RAB
Date: 2014-01-22 22:09
Something to try with hand position. My professor in college made me play the chromatic scale from low E to throat Bb:
Painfully slow,
Watching my fingers in a mirror,
Trying to move so slow you could not see the finger action.
It was maddening at that time but it sure has helped throughout my career.
Just something to think about.
Rod
Rodney Berry
Repair Dept
Muncy Winds Music Company
Boone, N.C.
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Author: Funfly
Date: 2014-01-23 02:56
My own problem is the little finger (pinkie for you Americans) of my right hand just touching the key just above it causing my lovely horn to block horribly. Even the slightest touch will eliminate the C.
It's the bane of my life and I spend more time attempting to hit the C cleanly than doing my scales.
Of course I blame the clarinet !
Funny thing is that when I am just messing about and playing for fun, it doesn't ever happen. Just when I am trying to do some serious stuff especially in front of my teacher - I suppose I could blame her as well.
I just hope it will get easier when I grow up.
Mart
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-01-23 14:04
Funfly,
Sounds to me like you have short fingers. To reach the "C" key you are extending your little finger to its fullest and in its flatness it also engages the "Eb/Ab" key. You need to be able to curve this finger more.
Two ways to accomlish this are: bring the thumb rest down a bit more; and change how you hold the clarinet.
The second is more challenging but far more rewarding in that (I believe you are just letting the thumb hang) if you point the thumb UP (a straight line from the base of the thumb to the tip). Well it is only slightly angled toward the ceiling but this transfers the weight more through the skeletal system (making things easier, less strain) AND in your case will bring your little finger much closer to the lowest paddle keys!
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-01-23 20:25
You can have all the RH pinky cluster touchpieces adjusted (by bending them) to make them easier to reach. That is something you should only trust a decent repairer to do as they will ensure the keywork is in full regulation afterwards and should anything break (if the metal is very hard which is always a risk), they will be able to put that right too.
I re-angled all the RH touches on a Yamaha 250 for someone who had a lot of trouble reaching the RH F/C and E/B touches - normally on student Yamahas the F#/C# touch is almost at right angles to its key rod, but I angled them all upwards significantly (similar to the angles seen on Selmers or Amatis if not more) so had to file the edge of the lower RH ring key pillar to make room to do this.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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