Author: JonTheReeds
Date: 2014-08-15 20:26
When things are not working out I try different approaches and methods to try and break through to the next stage, and this is one of those different approaches
The ‘leading finger’ idea is mine (although as with most things in life, probably not at all original), and is an attempt to try to work out why these transitions are difficult for me, and what I can do to improve them
To explain better, imagine the G# to B transition. The ideal I think (please correct me if I’m talking nonsense) is that the right 1st, 3rd and 4th fingers are all raised at exactly the same time so that the transition is smooth and seamless. I am obviously not achieving this at the moment at faster tempos, although it sounds smooth (and my fingers feel like they are moving smoothly, which to me seems to be just as important) at slower tempos
There is one finger that is a ‘deal breaker’ – if this is slightly behind the others then the transition is ugly, but if it is slightly ahead then the transition, although not perfect, sounds pretty good. In the G#/B case it’s the index finger. My idea is that by concentrating on the index finger, and ‘leading’ with it, that will help all fingers to come up at the same time
I’m quite prepared to accept that this is complete tosh and a total dead end, but does anyone have any solutions? I have tried the approach of playing the transitions slowly and gently increasing the tempo but this hasn’t worked so far. Am I being impatient? Should I keep on playing these transitions and eventually everything will fall into place?
A few asides
1. Another approach I have tried, to smooth out transitions where several fingers come down at the same time, is to slightly raise the fingers before bringing them down. This works for me, giving me lovely transitions at medium tempos, but I have rejected this as a valid technique in this situation as it will slow down my fingers at quick tempos
2. Paul: this ‘leading finger’ approach may be tripping me up at faster tempos, but my fingers were tripping up anyway. Any suggestions why my fingers work at slow tempos but not at fast ones?
3. Karl: as a general principle these transitions are ones where more than one finger is raised or lowered at the same time, and if the fingers don’t work at the same time the transition is not smooth, with extra notes and noises, or the note doesn’t speak immediately
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The older I get, the better I was
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The Clarinet BBoard
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