 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2022-05-18 13:59
Attachment: IMG_0838small.JPG (35k)
Attachment: IMG_0839small.JPG (28k)
Hi,
I wondered if you would like to see the key extensions that I have had added to my clarinet?
I was having trouble getting onto the harder pieces of music because I had to move my whole hand to reach some of the keys, so playing quickly was very difficult.
With these key extensions I can now reach all of the keys without have to move my wrists at all.
They were added by Woodwind and Reed which is my local woodwind shop in Cambridge, UK.
Jen
Adult learner, Grade 3
Equipment: Yamaha Custom CX Bb, Fobes 10K CF mp,
Legere Bb clarinet European Cut #2.5, Vandoren Optimum German Lig.
Post Edited (2022-05-18 14:13)
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2022-05-18 20:52
Hey Jen:
I'm glad I saw the picture of your hand, showing how your pinky finger is demonstrably shorter than your other digits by more so than average anthropomorphic percentage differences among the fingers of the typical hand.
I mean that objectively Jen, not editorially, or worse, judgmentally.
I hope the extensions help. They're not something I need, but thanks for sharing.
Anyone who replies, "are you not curving your fingers enough Jen and that's why your pinky can't reach the key," needs to see Jen's hand before they judge.
Post Edited (2022-05-18 20:53)
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2022-05-18 21:11
Thanks SecondTry - yes objectively I definitely have a dinkie pinkie. :-) I'm thrilled to have found an instrument that can be adjusted to fit me.
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2022-05-18 21:13
I think my fingertips are also quite narrow compared to men's fingertips, and I had to have the A4 key extended very slightly so that I can rock my left index finger to hit it without lifting off from the F# key too.
I really really love that clarinets are so accommodating of different hand shapes. It's clearly an equal opportunities instrument.
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Author: Ken Lagace
Date: 2022-05-18 21:53
I like your kind of player - find a way to make it work!
I have the opposite problem - large hands. I made my own changes. My left hand couldn't reach G#4, so I added a large cushion on it. My Eb has all keys between fingers modified, B3/F#5 chromatic and left hand Eb4/Bb5 are narrowed down to slivers, The changes have always worked during my 26 year pro career.
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2022-05-18 22:37
Hi Ken,
It's really interesting to know that you had the opposite done and that it worked so well for you. I think it's wonderful to have an instrument that can be modified like this. :-)
Jennifer
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Author: Ihavetoomanyinstruments
Date: 2022-05-21 06:55
This is so clever! I never considered that this sort of thing could be done to make playing easier. All I need is for someone else to play my parts when there are more than 4 sharps or flats
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2022-05-21 18:37
Ihavetoomanyinstruments - Thanks, I'm really glad you like it. It does make my life so much easier.
If there are more than four flats or sharps then would it be easier to play a clarinet in a different key? I thought that was one of the major advantages of playing a transposing instrument.
I haven't quite got to grips with which different clarinets sort out which keys though.
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Author: davyd
Date: 2022-05-24 21:27
"If there are more than four flats or sharps then would it be easier to play a clarinet in a different key?"
Sometimes you don't have that option. "Danse negre" by Samuel Coleridge Taylor has 9 key signature changes in its 307 bars. Whether I use the original part for A or my transposed part for Bb, it still gets awkward at times.
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