 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Burt
Date: 2015-08-11 04:07
Due to a physical problem, I'm having trouble covering the right ring finger tone hole. Often, air escapes from the bell end of that hole. So far, attempts to put an object with a smaller hole onto the ring have resulted in a stuffy "E" (top space) and "A" (below the staff), even if I off-center the smaller hole toward the mouthpiece. I'm trying to avoid going to a plateau clarinet.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Burt
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Author: GLHopkins
Date: 2015-08-11 04:37
Maybe moving the thumb rest down a couple of millimeters, or using an extra thick thumb rest cushion would help.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-08-11 04:47
This is the compromise that is made on nearly every single cor anglais where the E tonehole (RH3) has been made smaller in diameter and placed higher up the joint from where it should ideally be, so it causes problems with the tone quality and behaviour of that note - especially in the lower register when played quietly.
The only real solution is to have a plateau key made for that one tonehole chimney - I realise that's not the answer you want, but it's the most practical and can be reversed but it will be costly having the work done to both convert it and revert it back to as near to original as possible.
Some Vito or Holton clarinets were made with a covered left thumb and RH3 for players where the finger stretch or successfully covering certain toneholes was a problem for any number of reasons.
I don't know what make your clarinet is, but you could find an identical donor instrument and have the lower joint keywork altered to allow you to play, then the original lower joint won't be altered and can be kept safe for future use should you want to revert things back to how they were.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2015-08-11 05:14
Have you had an expert player analyze your hand position?
Even if you have small hands for an adult, you shouldn't have a big problem with this. My 9 and 10 year old beginning students often have this problem, but once they get used to curving the fingers and holding the hand in proper relationship to the forearm, the problem disappears.
B.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2015-08-11 18:57
I used to have the same problem, I had my tech lower my thumb rest years ago and never had the problem since. You can also have an adjustable thumb rest installed. That way you can experiment with how low you want it. I have one on my newer clarinet and I have it extended as far as it goes.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Burt
Date: 2015-08-13 00:03
Lowering the thumb rest, and placing my fingers more nearly perpendicular to the clarinet (the way I was taught NOT to do), helped. If only my arms were a little longer...
I think I will be able to avoid plateau keys.
Thanks for the suggestions.
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