The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Thumb position

Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2020-12-30 15:30
Attachment: IMG_9385.JPG (1315k)
Attachment: IMG_9386.JPG (899k)
Attachment: IMG_9387.JPG (304k)

Hi,

I wondered if I could ask a question about left thumb position on the clarinet? I'm wondering if there is someone I could approach to ask for a lesson over zoom to help me fine tune it a bit.

The question is about how to accommodate my particular hand anatomy. Sorry it's a fiddly to explain.

I'm getting to pieces of music now where I need to cross the break rapidly and repeatedly (like in the attached photo 9387).

I need to be able to get my left thumb into a position where I can cover the thumb hole only, or the register key only, or both, by just rocking my thumb. I also need to do the rocking action without actually moving the thumb up or down relative to the instrument. The position needs to accommodate the position of my fingers reaching the holes and my pinkie reaching the levers.

My teacher says that ideally my thumb out to be sort of horizontal-ish or diagonal (as in photo 9386) so that the side of my thumb hits the register key. However, my thumb doesn't seem to be able to turn that way and still allow my hand to play.

The only thing that actually works with my arrangement of joints is to have the top section of my thumb totally vertical (as in photo 9385). That makes things nearly work. But when I need to cover just the thumb hole, I then need to move my thumb down a little bit to fully cover the hole, and then back up to manage the register key.

Neither my teacher nor I can work out what to do to get my hands into the right position.

I just wondered if anyone might know who is good at figuring out how to solve these kind of problems? I thought maybe in this world of zoom lessons I could ask for a lesson with someone further away, who has thought a lot about these things, and might have some good ideas.

Thanks so much for thinking about it.

I hope you are all having a good Christmas.

Jen x

Post Edited (2020-12-30 15:42)

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics

Author

Date

Thumb position new

SunnyDaze

2020-12-30 15:30