 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: spikey1973
Date: 2023-05-13 19:06
Hello to all,
I realise that this is a question I should direct at my future clarinet teacher but since the word future came up I thought I could get an answer through here in the mean time.
I am currently capable of what I believe to do a nice emboucure, using double lip, play nice long open G's with no squeking (once i am properly positioned) and have played some ladders. G-F-E-D-C-D-E-F-G up and down without breaking any glasswork.
One thing I am "struggling" with though is that the clarinet rests on my right hand thumb (with the rest) and on my embouchure at my mouth. There I have a (unstable) two point rest. For my right hand I have a reference to position my fingers (although I am not using it yet) but when I try to hover my left hand fingers over the holes when playing the G I have no reference on where to put my thumb down for the F. Once it is down I have 3 point rest and a reference for the E-D and C through my thumb on the F hole (sorry if I named it wrongly) but when my fingers are floating around in the air, it is hard to keep it at the right position without touching at least one part of the clarinet. So I was wundering is there a technique for this, to make sure you have some sort of referene for your left hand?
Kind greats
Matthieu
Post Edited (2023-05-13 19:09)
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Author: Philip Caron
Date: 2023-05-13 20:14
Don't move your left hand (or arm) while the fingers (and/or thumb) are raised.
Or when you're raising or lowering them. You may need to zoom in on just doing that until it becomes your normal thing.
The problem you describe can be even more pronounced if you're going from to F from one of the other throat tones - F#, G#, A, or A# - because using the index finger or thumb to play those can tend to pull the hand a little out of position too. You may have to refine your fingering technique for those notes in order to minimize any unconscious and unnecessary added motion of the hand or wrist - I've had to work in that.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2023-05-13 20:55
Dear spikey1973,
Welcome to the clarinet and the Clarinet Bulletin Board!
You are correct, your hand just floats there for open G. It is something one gets used to with practice but before I address that, let me talk about the finger positions in general.
Many (probably all) beginner methods show images and/or describe taking a posture where your fingers create a slight, downward sloping line across the clarinet. This covers most average sized adult hands, but if you are younger, just have smaller hands, or smaller fingers, this might not be a good idea. You need to find as comfortable position of the fingers (hands) as possible while maintaining easy reach to the pinky keys (and A key for the left hand). You’ll notice the G# key (just above open G) is long and kinda shaped like a banana to accommodate for LOTS of different left hand positions….. though many folks miss this point.
It sounds like you are looking down at your fingers. It will be so much better to use a small mirror placed on your music stand to see exactly what your finger position looks like (it may be easier when you start looking in a mirror to sit in front of a full length mirror). The best practice besides comfort and coverage is to make sure your fingers maintain a gentle curve. Flat fingers don’t offer much control or support as your technique advances. Finallly, your thumb should be at a diagonal. The tip should point to (and may even reside in) that space between the octave key and the higher post of the thumb ring). You can hold the clarinet (not playing of course) out in front of you to check your proper thumb position.
Any questions……..fire away!
…………Paul Aviles
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Author: spikey1973
Date: 2023-05-13 23:00
@ Philip: Hmmm that will indeed be something to work on (and hard), clearly lots to learn and make myself accustomed too :D
@ Paul:
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Many (probably all) beginner methods show images and/or describe taking a posture where your fingers create a slight, downward sloping line across the clarinet. This covers most average sized adult hands..
/Quote.
Thank fully I am an adult.. and dutch so 1.93 with even for dutch... large hands, so no small hands here. pffhhuuw :D
Quote:
You need to find as comfortable position of the fingers (hands) as possible while maintaining easy reach to the pinky keys (and A key for the left hand). You’ll notice the G# key (just above open G) is long and kinda shaped like a banana to accommodate for LOTS of different left hand positions….. though many folks miss this point.
/Quote.
Found the G# key...
Quote:
It sounds like you are looking down at your fingers. It will be so much better to use a small mirror placed on your music stand to see exactly what your finger position looks like (it may be easier when you start looking in a mirror to sit in front of a full length mirror).
/Quote:
Actually I wasn't, I was basically sitting on my couch, looking straight forward, to make sure to have a good head vs clarinet position and just being aware of my hands in 3D space, making sure my fingers were loose and curved and focussing on the feel vs tone vs air pressure (while blowing) when my fingers were closing the holes, properly vs not entirely. But I have a full length mirror ready, which I use for learning violin so, easy to take advantage of for the clarinet.. ps: any thoughts what is a good medium to sit on? stool, chair, chair with arm rests (guess not).
Quote:
Finally, your thumb should be at a diagonal. The tip should point to (and may even reside in) that space between the octave key and the higher post of the thumb ring). You can hold the clarinet (not playing of course) out in front of you to check your proper thumb position.
/Quote.
Thumb at a diagonal! check, I will be sure to check on that.
Tip of my thumb my reside in that space?, that would make the locating the holes again a bit (lot) more easier. Just don't want to start with bad habbits, they are always a crime to get rid-off.
anyway.thanks for our responses again. the sun is down here again, so I will take my instument again and practice some more.
Kind greats to you all.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2023-05-13 23:58
Ah, I mean (about the tip of the thumb) that it can be fine to have the tip ON the thumb tube (hole) just so long as it "points" to that area. In some hand sizes (perhaps yours!) it will make things easier for the OTHER fingers to have the thumb further up the diagonal, putting the hand a little closer to the horn.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2023-05-14 00:04
Oh and the chair.
Yes, no arms. The chairs used by major ensembles try to make you sit up straight and are meant really to support your back when NOT playing. Proper playing stance is active and up off the back support. That said I gravitate to a really comfortable stool with foot ring for resting feet (more on the order of an architect's stool). But that is just my preference.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: lydian
Date: 2023-05-14 03:28
Consider that double lip is pretty rare and not the easiest or most typical embouchure. I highly recommend using the standard embouchure. Your teacher will probably recommend the same.
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2023-05-14 06:11
Lots of details here that will help you. In simple terms, I always told beginners (age 11) to have their left thumb hover just below the hole. If there still was a problem I'd say barely touching the thumb hole (F) ring is OK for a while. I can't recall anyone not able to get things straightened out, so hang tight.
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2023-05-14 07:26
Double lip is far easier to set correctly as a beginner, especially for one starting on their own. I agree though that the sooner you start lessons the better. A habit is easy and quick to set, and difficult and usually slow to reset. You are setting so many habits right now, including some you will only be aware of later. That said, it sounds like your approach is generally sensible thus far.
Anders
Post Edited (2023-05-14 20:54)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2023-05-14 15:11
Wow......DON'T teach your students to hold their thumbs below the tone hole! Were does the thumb go when you go to cover the hole......you miss!
.................Paul Aviles
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