 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jonathan.wallaceadams
Date: 2017-10-02 22:03
So, my finger posture isn't so great. No matter what I do, my fingers will not curve. The worst offender is my right hand's index finger, who locks flat. Whenever I practice technique slowly to fix the issue, I can't cover the holes all the way and my "productivity" diminishes greatly. The only "cure" I can think of is rubber bands across my fingers, but this method cuts off blood circulation. Any thoughts?
Just an aspiring student.
Buffet Tradition
Mpc.: Hawkins "G", Barrel: Moba, Reeds: Reserve 3.5+
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2017-10-02 22:32
Are you saying you are physically unable to curve your fingers or that you can't get into the habit?
If the first, you definitely need to see a doctor. If the second, others here will make suggestions.
(If you can't make a fist, there's something wrong. If you can, you just require training and practice.)
B.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2017-10-02 23:53
What part of your fingers cover the holes? How far from the holes do they move when you lift them? Which knuckle is locking (especially in your rh index finger)?
Without seeing you (but having seen many students with similar problems), my first thought is that you're closing the holes with an area of your finger that's too far away from the tip and that you're pressing the fingers down too hard against the holes. There could certainly be other issues involved, but that combination would be the first set of possible causes I'd check.
Karl
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Author: BGBG
Date: 2017-10-03 02:28
I have trouble curving mine, especially the pinkie. I CAN curve them....just not while playing notes. They sort of 'snap' at middle knuckle. Have been trying to exercise them for awhile. Have trouble especially with half-tones made with pinkie. Have to stop and bend wrist around.
Hope there are some good remedies for the finger curving.Like to see some.
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Author: zhangray4
Date: 2017-10-03 02:56
Similar problem for me too. My teacher claims (and I also believe) that both my pinkies and ring fingers can curve, such as when I am typing right now, but they refuse to curve when playing fast passages. If I try to curve the fingers when playing, it feels unnatural and I fail to press the keys/cover the tone holes.
Any good suggestions to cure this issue would be much appreciated.
Another student here...
-- Ray Zhang
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Author: jonathan.wallaceadams
Date: 2017-10-03 08:21
So, like BG says, it's my right index finger's mid knuckle (same thing with my left ring finger.) I've dedicated my day to hand position research and found that it's likely that it's due to my thumb positions on both hands. I don't know if it will help the pinkies, but it certainly helped my index fingers.
I had previously been having the clarinet rest BETWEEN the tip of my thumb and the knuckle, causing my fingers needing to be extended, leading them to become locked in place. This extension also caused the issue of TOO MUCH padding with my fingers, like Karl said. My solution in the right hand was to put it closer to/ on top of the knuckle. this led to me having naturally curved fingers and everything felt more fluid.
I found that in the left hand, My thumb hadn't been resting on the top of the ring (near the register key,) but underneath the ring.
I found articles with pictures and common mistakes at
http://www.clarinet-now.com/clarinet-right-hand-position.html
and
http://www.clarinet-now.com/clarinet-left-hand-position.html
Tomorrow, I plan on slowly going through some Baermann to get some reps on this more refined way of playing. Maybe this will help both BG and Zhan?
Just an aspiring student.
Buffet Tradition
Mpc.: Hawkins "G", Barrel: Moba, Reeds: Reserve 3.5+
Post Edited (2017-10-03 08:24)
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2017-10-03 08:39
I use Opperman's book "Elementary Velocity Studies" to work on this kind of issue with students, both beginning and advanced. It doesn't look like much when you flip through the pages, but in playing through it myself I noticed it really working the fine points of finger position and movement. My hands felt stronger and more efficient after spending some time playing through them with close attention. I'm still figuring out why they work so well.
These studies are also great for working on matching tone color and volume across various intervals.
Scales and interval work in front of a mirror can be very helpful as well. Sometimes when we can see as well as feel the brain becomes more willing to help make changes in the function of the hands.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2017-10-03 16:42
Start on a low F or G with your fingers curved as you want them to be. Use a mirror. Play an ascending scale based on that note.
Stop on the first note in the second register. This will be the first time your fingers must return to the clarinet, and the moment that you must "win", because they will return to your old form unless you focus and anticipate.
That's why you stop on this note -- to make sure you place them in the new habit all at the same time.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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