 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Carol
Date: 1999-04-18 21:52
Speaking of stress injuries, I have trouble with my little finger on my right hand locking straight at the knuckle when I reach for the lower F and E keys--anybody else have that problem? Is there a solution? Thanks!
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Author: Clare
Date: 1999-04-19 01:11
I have that problem very often. I don't know how to fix it, but I think it's due to not curving that finger properly. I usually keep my pinky very straight, and it locks up.
-Clare
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Author: Amy
Date: 1999-04-19 03:03
Whenever I start playing a piece and forget to relax my fingers this always happens to me. I'll come to some quick passage with a C or any other pinky key and realize my pinky just locks and won't move. It's so annoying! I guess I just need to concentrate on keeping my fingers realaxed.
Amy
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Author: Rick2
Date: 1999-04-19 15:09
Be very careful in your self diagnosis. There is a repetitive strain injury called trigger finger. If it is a major problem you should see a doctor. I ocassionally have a similar problem on the left hand, caused by computer use...using the control key on the left side of the keyboard. It hasn't been diagnosed but in my case I thkink the tendon is slipping to the side of where it is supposed to be. I need to warm up and exercise the finger and manipulate it around a little bit. Once I get the "kinks" worked out of it, no problems with locking up. I am trying an exercise program that is basically an extension of the hand workout that I had for tendonitis, not sure yet if it's making a difference. My whole point is that if its a problem, especially if it's causing any pain, you should have it looked at by a doctor.
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-04-19 15:12
The key concept for keeping the fingers ready and relaxed is to do just that - stay ready but relaxed. But there is a point where even this concept won't work. I personally find that as I get tired, my fingers either lock up or they simply won't go where I need them to go in time. I sound very sloppy and almost drunk. That's when it's time to take a break and work the stiffness out of my fingers and hands.
You also might consider working the keys on the left side of the clarinet, too. These are not "alternate" fingerings. They are just as valid and "primary" as the right side fingerings. The idea here is to learn how to work the chromatic scales as a warm-up using all available fingerings and then make it a point to practice with all available fingerings as you play the music. Now, in some passages, specific fingerings are required. There is no other way around it. However, if you have a bunch of good fingerings available to you, your chances of musical success are much greater. You also might find that your hands and fingers don't get tired as quickly, either.
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Author: Kevin Bowman
Date: 1999-04-19 19:33
Carol wrote:
-------------------------------
Speaking of stress injuries, I have trouble with my little finger on my right hand locking straight at the knuckle when I reach for the lower F and E keys--anybody else have that problem? Is there a solution? Thanks!
----
most likely caused by tense and/or improperly positioned fingers. Remember to keep ALL fingers slightly curved - you will be able to operate the touch-peices with a lot less effort. Even so, it's still possible to get finger lock-ups.
The Baermann Book I&II method has whole pages full of finger exercises that are useful for building both finger strength and coordination. Each exercise is a one or two measure repeated figure - they're real killers but will build finger dexterity if practiced diligently.
Paul mentioned getting used to all available fingerings - great advise. I've gotten in the habit of playing ascending chromatic passages L-R-L (B-C-C#) and descending R-L-R (similarly for the bottom notes E-F-F#).
Kevin Bowman
Clarinet and Saxophone Instructor,
Rochester Conservatory of Music, Rochester, MI
and
Saxophones, Clarinet, and Keys,
B-Side Blues Project (www.bsideblues.com)
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Author: Ginny
Date: 1999-04-19 19:48
I had noticed a big difference in stress between my two clunker clarinets (Al or Peg, the Bundy and a Ferdinand)
I have very small hands, though good flexibility. I had learned to use leverage and 'weight of the arm' for my classical guitar playing to avoid stress and play easily. I don't know if the clarinet has equivalent (I shift my whole body for some difficult guitar passages, to ease my hands and use arm and even body for leverage.)
I also note that some clarinets are too big for me.
Ferdinand is much smaller and stressed my hands less.
My husbands Albert system is way too big for me, I can hardly stretch for it.
I have avoided injury so far, I don't seem prone toward it. But I am aware of hand position and I don't practice all that much.
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-04-19 21:24
Kevin Bowman has a good practical exercise to begin a warm-up by using alternating sides on the clarinet. I can only add that both sides should be used for both ascending and descending whenever possible, so the clarinet player has no "ground rules" blocking his or her playing.
For instance, since I have a clarinet that has the "auxiliary" Ab/Eb key, I go up and down repeatedly fully using both sides of the clarinet, just so I can instinctively hit that key whenever needed. By the way, I don't personally consider this key to be an "auxliary" key. Rather, I consider it just as much a bread-and-butter key as any other. Hey, if you got it, use it.
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Author: Jeff
Date: 1999-04-24 18:49
I also have had some problems with the pinkies straightening. I have found that using alternate fingers, like mentioned above, helps. Also, strengthening the fingers with hand exercisers like rock climbers use. Such as using Power Puddy and all those types of hand strengthening equipment. In addition, it was recomended by a health teacher to make sure and drink water. It may very well be that your fingers are just cramping. I have personally found that drinking water really helps to keep the fingers from going rigid. I am not an expert but this is what I have found to help me.
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Author: Allison
Date: 1999-04-25 03:14
Just wondered...is it the whole finger locking up resulting in not being able to press a key? or just a joint or knuckle?
I broke the last two fingers on my left hand in Nov 97 in several places. 3 of the knuckles don;t work right anymore but it has not seemed to matter. It was slow at first but without really thinking about it I guess I just kept at it and my hands have found ways to compensate. I am having no trouble keeping up so i am not going to worry about it.
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Author: Carol
Date: 1999-04-25 12:07
Just one knuckle locks--the one closest to my hand. The finger will move, but it slows me down playing in three or more sharps. Sorry to hear about your injury; sounds like you have a great attitude!
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Author: SerendipityG3A
Date: 2010-03-22 19:50
Um, I know this topic is antiquated, but the rules say to use existing topics when they apply, so I am.
I have this problem with my right pinky locking up when I play, like if I'm playing in 2 sharps and I have an accidental, like a C-natural, I naturally hit it with my right pinky, then comes a B, I alternate to the left pinky for that, then back to the key signature C#, alternate back to the right pinky, wait 3 or 4 seconds for it to unlock from the C-natural position. Here's the problem: there are a lot of songs out there with 1 or fewer sharps in the key signature, so my pinky lazily rests itself on the C key. However, my pinky is so short that I can barely reach it. If my pinky is bent at all, there's no way I can reach the key. It has to stretch just to get the edge of the key.
I tried playing the E-flat soprano clarinet, and it fits my fingers really well, and I don't have that problem at all. My pinky never locks up on it. However, the E-flat soprano, at least the one I got, is horribly out of tune with itself. The higher I go, the flatter the tuning and vice versa. I can't tune for the full range of the instrument.
I've played a professional alto recorder, which is very close in size to the B-flat clarinet and has the same problem with the right pinky fingering. However, the entire key assembly for the pinky is on the bell section, so all I have to do is put the bell on sideways, and I can reach it fine.
My B-flat clarinet is a Selmer CL300, and it's probably about 25 years old or more.
My E-flat clarinet ... um ... well I guess the company that made it was so ashamed of it that they decided to not put their name on it. There's absolutely nothing written on it anywhere, not even on the case. I bought it new, but it was a few years ago, and I don't remember who sold it to me.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2010-03-23 02:23
I have right pinky lock, too.
It is too long to easily reach the right hand B/E pinky key, so I much prefer to use my left hand B/E key. (Buffet Bb clarinet.)
I had no idea that "so many of us" had this challenge.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2010-03-23 03:32
I think the finger locking problem is more common than you might think. I certainly have it, and I think that in my case it's caused by a combination of old injuries and ageing (I'm 70). My fingers used to work fine, but I broke the 4 left fingers in a work accident and the right middle finger in a fall while climbing. They worked OK after a few months, but as I've got older they've been the first to give problems. Warming the hands before playing helps, as does Voltaren.
As was mentioned, some clarinets have more delicate keywork than others and are more suited to the smaller hand. The earlier Yamahas seem to suit small hands well, as do the Amatis. Selmers and Boosey & Hawkes seem to me to work better for for the larger hand. I have hands like shovels and fingers like sausages, and I find the Yamahas almost unplayable for this reason.
Tony F.
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Author: SerendipityG3A
Date: 2010-03-23 03:45
Oh yes, that reminds me, a little over a year ago, I had an injury where my right hand fingers were completely immobilised for about 6 months. The problem with my right pinky locking is almost certainly worsened by that.
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2010-03-23 08:08
I have a similar problem with having short little fingers, so I have made extensions for just about all the little finger keys on my right and left hands.
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Author: SerendipityG3A
Date: 2010-03-23 14:08
Wow, that sounds crafty! I wonder if I could do that! They would have to be very sturdy and set well so I can play quickly and confidently. I'm new to this forum, so I donno, is there a way I could see a picture of that? xD
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Author: tetiana
Date: 2010-03-24 19:43
I have this problem too (maybe related to a small fracture some 20 years ago) and never realised that it might be common! My problem is also compounded by mushy (double jointed) fingers that tend to collapse, especially my weakling ring finger, at the same time as my pinky locks up!
I find that the exercises in JeanJean's Vade Mecum and also in Klose (especially pp 44 and following of the big book) have really helped. Also tough scales in all the patterns. That and trying to relax. Preparing mentally in advance for a passage involving RH C# also helps (i.e. where the LH C# is impossible, such as in Stravinsky's 3 pcs). I isolate those passages and play them very slowly to try to enhance confidence/familiarity with the notes. That helps with relaxation.
tetiana
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Author: kursatsahin
Date: 2010-03-25 15:27
Hello,
What kind of exercises you made ? and suggest for little fingers ?
Thanks
Kursat Sahin
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Author: tetiana
Date: 2010-03-27 11:22
Hi Kurshan:
Everyday I work on short chromatic passages (G-G#, then G-G#-A, G-G#-A-Bb, etc. up to C) many times, slowly then quickly. (I also exercise my LH pinky with C-C# etc). Hard scales are good, also diminished and dominant 7ths, especially Bb, B, D, F#. Make sure you play these slowly for perfect accuracy, before speeding up.
Klosé (Simeon Bellison edition) has excellent exercises, especially those on pages 46-48. Don't do too many of these at one time (and play them very slowly at first). Excellent for RH pinky problems are #84-86, 89, 105-106,109-113.
Pick up a copy of JeanJean's Vade Mecum (6 Special Studies). The exercises on pages 9-11 are especially good for building up RH strength and coordination.
tetiana
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