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Re: Accidental grace notes when playing

Author: Tom H
Date: 2021-05-22 22:12

Jennifer, My word for those extra notes is "slop". It is a problem we all have occasionally. I have an old record of a well-known symphony clarinetist playing a solo during a symphonic work where HE had a bit of "slop" on one note.

There is no magic way to avoid this forever, but as some have suggested, the more you practice the better it gets. As mentioned, one time it may occur is when both a hole and a key must go down at the same time. Even a more likely time can be when you're going from a note to another that involves opening or closing holes on both hands at the same time. A good exercise for that is starting on low F and going up & down 2 octaves on the D minor arpeggio. Especially good for going from low A to the D just below the staff.

There are several short exercises in my book that deal with "slop". But honestly, any practice at all in any book is the answer. Or solos, whatever.
It's also just as good to make stuff up that could create slop and do those a million times. Sometimes I even practice hitting the key minutely before closing the hole. Can't have slop there.

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tomheimer.ampbk.com/ Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001315, Musicnotes product no. MB0000649.

Boreal Ballad for unaccompanied clarinet-Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001314.
Musicnotes product no. MNO287475

Post Edited (2021-05-22 22:15)

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