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RE: C# key

Author: Kevin Bowman
Date: 1999-08-05 21:02

I'll re-iterate one point that Ken made, just because I think it is an important one:

Practice in front of a mirror.

Most students don't know that they are moving their fingers in strange ways (causeing squeaks and such) until they look at how they are positioning them in front of a mirror. Pianists can see their fingers in front of them, clarinetists can't - so the mirror is indispensible. Even after 25+ years of working on my clarinet technique, I keep a mirror on my stand so I can quickly check finger movement and (most importantly) embouchure. Even after you develop good muscle memory in you fingers and embouchure, it's easy to develop bad habits unless you constantly inspect and correct your movements. Even professional ballet dancers practice in front of a mirror.

Also, I'd like to second Ken's advice of slow practice. Slow repetitions, if done correctly, improve muscle memory. Don't just practive slowly because it's easier - put as much concentration into the task as possible. When you play slowly, aim for perfection in the smallest details. For example, one interval I find myself spending a LOT of time on is top space G# to A# a whole step higher. This is a difficult interval to play evenly as it involves the LH pinky (probably my weakest finger) and involves trading keys between two hands - plus the pinky and ring finger often don't like to operate very well in tandem. So I practice this interval, both rising and falling, VERY slowly and listen for a seamless transition between the two notes - no intermediate notes, no stuffy tone. I concentrate on getting the fingers to move at the right time. The slower you go, the more you realize that you're also trying to overcome "harware" problems, too (because the RH trill key want to open faster than the LH G# key closes) so I am also incorporating my particular instrument in my muscle memory training.

Hmmm ... guess I got a bit long-winded there - sorry.
In summary:
1) use a mirror
2) practice slowly
3) be a perfectionist

good luck, and have fun.

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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