 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ksc520
Date: 2014-04-19 23:50
As a child part of my index finger was cut off so it is shorter than the index finger on my left hand. I played a LeBlanc clarinet and was able to reach the right hand middle B with effort. However, I bought a Buffet R13, and the holes are larger. My teacher put cork in the hole, but I cannot reach middle B with the right hand pinky. Has anyone else experienced this? Is there such a thing as an extender for an index finger to help me have more room to then reach middle rh B with my pinky? Does anyone have any solutions? This is very frustrating! I love the Buffet sound, but I need a solution so I can have as many options as possible for middle B. I can reach RH D#,C# and C with my pinky. I also use a neckstrap for support. My teacher is well known for adjusting clarinets, and he has adjusted the thumb key and done what he could. I would love advice on how to remedy this, if possible.
Also, I can glide LH middle B to C# with my LH pinky. Do people ever glide reverse from C# to B? Mine sounds choppy. Thank you for your advice!
Post Edited (2014-04-20 00:08)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2014-04-20 00:10
hmm, I think it should be possible to "extend" your rh index finger a bit, either by creating a plateau key on top of the rh ring assembly, or by wearing some thimble-like contraption (bit like the rubber thimble bank clerks are using when counting bills, or a stuffed leather glove finger).
Else you can experiment with extending the RH B touchpiece so that it is closer to your pinky. Sugru (some putty-like substance) comes to mind, as do glued-on fake fingernails.
You see, there are more solutions than you think. Good luck!
--
Ben
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2014-04-20 00:25
(per your second question - I only glide from RH Ab/Eb down to the neighbouring touchpieces, but nowhere else. And no, gliding up doesn't work for me either.
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Ben
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Author: ksc520
Date: 2014-04-20 00:57
Thank you, Ben. Have fun in Switzerland! You could glide down the Alps!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-04-20 01:46
You must have smaller hands to begin with? As I try to imagine what is happening I think that your fingers are perhaps angled so that if you draw a line from the palm to the tips of your fingers, the fingers point down at a pretty clear angle.
My suggestion for this (if this IS the case) would be to take the suggestion of Elsa Ludwig-Verder and take this from the THUMB perspective. You want (if you draw a line from the base of the thumb to the tip) the thumb to actually be angled slightly UP toward the ceiling. This position will make you fingers perpendicular to the clarinet and your pinky would actually need to curl a bit to hit the paddle keys. This is also a good attitude to alleviate thumb and wrist stress as well (you may be able to throw out the strap !!!!).
As for the sliding on the left, I do that ALL the time both ways (I find the key action, or rather the cup noise much less so this way) particularly doing interrupted scales of four or more sharps (1234, 2345, 3456, etc.).
............Paul Aviles
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Author: Paula S
Date: 2014-04-20 13:03
Yes Paul,
That is how I have to play. I don't have a physical injury to my fingers but with very small hands it makes a big difference to the speed and smoothness of my playing.
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Author: ksc520
Date: 2014-04-21 04:10
Thank you, Tony. The hole has some cork in it, but I still can't reach the B with my pinky. Any other ideas would be appreciated!!!!
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Author: ksc520
Date: 2014-04-21 04:13
Paul,
I am confused. Are you saying that you normally have to glide or are you saying you use the method where your thumb faces the ceiling? Are you able to have the same smoothness and speed as someone with larger hands? This wasn't a problem with my older LeBlanc, but it is with my new Buffet R13. Thank you for your comments.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-04-22 05:50
Ok, the sliding thing is not a "have to." I only point that out to illustrate that you are "not alone."
I DO point the tip of my thumb more UP toward the ceiling. It took many, MANY months to get used to this after years of letting my thumb sag (this "inactive" stance tends to lead to more problems than it is worth). The benefit of "thumb up" is that it distributes the weight through the skeletal system and not just at the thumb joint.
And yes, I HAVE relatively large hands, so it is not only a technique for those with small hands but I can see where it would help those folks quite a bit.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: ksc520
Date: 2014-04-22 06:39
Thank you, Paul. I worked on sliding both ways last night and was better thsn the day before! I will try the tip of the thumb idea also. I appreciate your suggestions!
Katie
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