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Author: Rhgsf  
Date:   2015-01-07 12:12 
 Hi everyone 
 
I am now practicing the 3rd symphony by G. Mahler. It contains tremolo or trill in the clarinet parts. Of those, what's bothering me the most is lowest C-Eb tremolo. Does anyone know this alternative fingering? 
 
Thank you 
 
Rhgsf
  
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Author: Chris P  
Date:   2015-01-07 13:43 
 It's dead easy with a clarinet that's fitted with the LH forked Eb/Bb mechanism (the extra ring for LH3 - play C/G and trill with LH finger 2 only), but on a regular Boehm this tremolo isn't that straightforward. 
 
How flat is the Eb using the side key while still fingering C on your clarinet? Try the other side and trill keys to see if you can get a passable Eb while keeping the LH fingers down. 
 
Former oboe finisher  
Howarth of London 
1998 - 2010 
 
Independent Woodwind Repairer  
Single and Double Reed Specialist 
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes 
 
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R. 
 
The opinions I express are my own.
  
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Author: GBK  
Date:   2015-01-07 14:31 
 Curve your left hand first finger so you press on the little pad between the first and second rings, while still covering the first hole. 
 
Then tremolo between C and E. 
 
...GBK 
 
  
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Author: Chris P  
Date:   2015-01-07 15:05 
 A bis key will help with this - Stephen Fox makes one that can be fitted easily with a grub screw. 
 
Former oboe finisher  
Howarth of London 
1998 - 2010 
 
Independent Woodwind Repairer  
Single and Double Reed Specialist 
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes 
 
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R. 
 
The opinions I express are my own.
  
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Author: cigleris  
Date:   2015-01-07 16:08 
 Fake it by lifting the middle finger left hand slightly. It over in a flash so we don't need to worry about the notes being perfect in the trem 
 
Peter Cigleris
  
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Author: Ed Palanker  
Date:   2015-01-07 19:49 
 I know it's akward but I just trill using the regular C to side Eb key. 
 
ESP     eddiesclarinet.com 
  
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Author: Rhgsf  
Date:   2015-01-08 05:10 
 Thank you very much for your answers!! 
 
>Chris 
Unfortunately, my clarinet is normal Boehm system. And it is extremely flat when I use the side key with C fingering. 
 
>GBK 
That is very nice intonation! But my first finger is too short to reach that pad. I found that I use right hand to press the pad. Thank you!! 
 
>cigkeris 
Thanks. But our conductor is very strict when it comes to intonation,,,,, 
 
>Ed 
I think it is ideal. But in my skill, it is very difficult. I always move left and right fingers at the same time,,, 
 
  
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Author: cigleris  
Date:   2015-01-08 15:09 
 I think you've missunderstood my comment. In my professional experience and having played Mahler 3 no conductor would be able to tell whether the two notes in that trem are perfectly in tune. At the the end of the day it's an effect which parts 1,2, and 3 play. 
 
Peter Cigleris
  
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Author: Rhgsf  
Date:   2015-01-08 18:32 
 >cigleris 
 
Sorry for my missunderstandings. Next time I will try your suggested fingering together with other parts (2nd 3rd cls). 
 
Thank you very much.
  
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Author: Ed Palanker  
Date:   2015-01-09 02:45 
 My suggestion required keeping your fingers very close to the keys. As little movement as possible. But as Peter said, it won't really be heard anyway. 
 
ESP     eddiesclarinet.com 
  
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Author: TomS  
Date:   2015-01-10 19:36 
 Another one:   
 
Finger the C normally, and for the E-flat use the LH little finger to open the C# key and the RH index finger to open the side E-flat key simultaneously.  Not perfect in tuning but easier than the other fingerings, if you can keep your fingers in sync.  
 
Otherwise, I'd just practice the standard fingering that Mr. Planker suggests, it's not that hard to do, and really is the way it should be played. 
 
No one will probably notice, as long as it kinda works ... 
 
Tom 
 
Post Edited (2015-01-10 19:58)
  
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Author: Steve Hartman  
Date:   2015-01-12 01:51 
 If your bridge key has "ears" on it (there was a fad at one time of cutting them off to supposedly make it easier to line up the keys) simply put your right thumb under the "ear" of the bridge key, which will close the pad between the first and second rings of the upper joint.  Tremolo with the second and third fingers of the left hand.  This is by far the easiest and best in-tune fingering. 
 
There will be no charge for this advice. 
 
Steve Hartman 
Principal Clarinet  
New York City Ballet Orchestra
  
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Author: Rhgsf  
Date:   2015-01-12 10:41 
 >Tom 
Thanks. It is easier than the normal fingerings.  
 
>Steve 
 
Wow!! It is sperb! 
Thank you so much. 
 
Rhgsf
  
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Author: Chris P  
Date:   2015-01-12 15:09 
 That will work on Buffet and Yamaha clarinets (from the '80s onwards) that have the ears on the upper part of the bridge key linkage - not so easy on Selmers, Leblancs or Peter Eatons, but still possible if you can get your right thumbnail under the linkage. 
 
Former oboe finisher  
Howarth of London 
1998 - 2010 
 
Independent Woodwind Repairer  
Single and Double Reed Specialist 
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes 
 
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R. 
 
The opinions I express are my own.
  
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Author: TomS  
Date:   2015-01-14 02:32 
 I tried Mr, Hartman's suggestion and it's perfect ... just have to make sure your RH thumb hit's it's mark.  My Ridenour instruments have the bridge key  "wings", so it's easy. 
 
Tom
  
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Author: donald  
Date:   2015-01-14 09:25 
 Nice suggestion Mr Hartman! I'll remember that- also, sometimes if I need to use my right hand for something like that I'll transfer my clarinet to the "bell on the knee" or "bell between the knee" position to free up my right hand. I've actually played a contemporary piece where I had to rest the clarinet on my knee for most of the piece to leave the right thumb free to opperate top joint trill keys (I played this at the 2005 OU Symposium).  
dn
  
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