The Clarinet BBoard

Re: Correcting incorrect hand grip

Author: kdk  Date:   2021-03-12 14:00 TilXC wrote: > I found out recently that my > right hand grip is completely wrong, my fingers are resting on > the side trill keys > I really want to change this but it's been quite frustrating, > my hand keeps gravitating back to its original position! Any > tips or advice? And I'm not even entirely clear on what the > correct hand position I'm aiming for is, I just know I'm > probably not meant to be resting my fingers on the keys. Good for you for realizing that your right hand position isn't ideal. There's some conflict between the image the description above conjures up and "...when I play standing up a lot of the weight is resting on the side of my right index finger and I get a mark there after a while of playing." Are your fingers resting on the trill keys (that's a clear enough description of the RH side keys), or is the bottom (Eb/Bb) key resting on your index finger? Most of the time if my students have a problem with this, it's that the finger is under the key - the weight of the clarinet is then resting on the right thumb and index finger, and they get that mark you describe. The two problems with that are that they sometimes open the Eb/Bb pad accidentally and the right hand is more or less stuck - you first have to get the index finger free before you can do anything else with it, like play or . I'm going to assume that, because you feel the index finger actually bearing some of the clarinet's weight and get a mark on it, that it's stuck *under* the bottom trill key and not resting on top of it. The first thing is to understand, as you already seem to, that the right index finger needs to be more free to move. There isn't a single "correct" hand position to accomplish this, because everyone's hands are shaped and sized differently. But some of this may have to do with your right thumb. Often my students have too much of the thumb past the thumb rest. The thumb rest is too close to the crook of the thumb and index finger, which tends to pull the index finger in too close around the side. So, try sliding your right thumb a little farther out so the thumb rest is somewhere between the first knuckle and the nail. If your thumb is already in that position, check to see if your right wrist is bent upward, which can also push your index finger up against the bottom trill key. Some players with large hands and long fingers do play with their wrist slightly bent upward, but because of their finger length, their index fingers hover over, but don't touch, the Eb/Bb key and their fingers point slightly downward relative to the clarinet. Others of us with smaller hands and shorter fingers tend to need a straight wrist with the RH fingers perpendicular to the clarinet. You mention that the hand position is more of a problem when you play standing up. Make sure that when you play seated (as you do most of the time in band or orchestra) you aren't resting your right arm or wrist on your thigh. Compare your right hand when you're sitting and when you're standing. If your index finger is free in a seated position, you have a model to use - play the same way when you stand as when you sit. It isn't at all surprising that your hand wants to revert to the old position - you've had several years to build the destructive position into a habit, and it will take time with conscious attention to change the habit. One thing you might try is to use a neck strap to take some of the weight off your hand, freeing you a little more to change the hand position without feeling like you're going to drop the clarinet. Changing this will take some persistence, and unless you have a teacher who can (and will) nag you when you lapse, it's your attention to it that will make the difference. Karl

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Re: Correcting incorrect hand grip

Author: kdk  Date:   2021-03-13 23:26 SecondTry wrote: > Not to detract from the information packed posts of others, but > Karl, and I say this as complement, day in and day out you take > the time to write detailed and thoughtful replies to people's > issues that offer unique insight and zero flame throwing. > > Thanks. Thank *you.* I'm a teacher first, although I love to play. I always hope to be helpful. As to flame-throwing, I frankly haven't the stomach for it. Karl

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