Awesome video!!! I teach this pinky technique too, but I'm going to send your video to my students so they know I'm not crazy (or at least not the only crazy one!)
Yes, this is also how I describe fingertechnique to my students. Its nice to hear it from you. Now I feel more on the right way. But ohne thing i also teach is the difference between the ballistic and the guided movement 😊
@@clarinetninja Yes, its really helpful, because the quality of movement change, when you Play fast, and this quality has to be trained also. It feels different in the fingers. The Most only practice the guided quality but there is a limitation in speed 😊
Thanks for watching and commenting John! This video gets largely favorable comments but has also gotten some insulting comments that confuse me. Glad to know there is another person who sees what (I think) is the most logical thing in the world - that a lot of people aren't doing....
I'm a newbie clarinetist (1 year of intermittent practice with regular lessons lol) and just got diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which explains the hand difficulties I've had for the last two years. Just the concept of "press and relax" vs "press and release/lift" is already helping how I think about playing. I'm definitely a pinky-out-in-space kind of person so this is going to be a huge habit to break...but I'm taking it kind of like typing on a computer keyboard. you don't generally lift completely away from a key after typing if you're not a hunt-and-peck typist! Anyways. Here's hoping reducing the tension on most of my fingers helps me practice better. My right thumb is still suffering because of the weight of the clarinet, and I haven't found the right combo of neck strap and ergo thumb rest to mitigate that yet.
I am very sorry to hear about the arthritis! I agree that this concept may help you quite a bit. Also, keep in mind that tension "travels" sometimes tension in our shoulders or forearms can make it down to our hands. As I type this....you are totally correct...I am not intentionally picking my fingers up at all. I have been meaning to make a neck strap comparison video...but I have been too cheap to buy all the straps I would want to compare....I wish I had a bigger channel so the companies would just send them to me lol
I've mentioned this approach to all my students. I tell them it's one of the secrets to great clarinet playing. I may have gotten this idea from read Keith Stein's (?) book. I'm not sure, but my students know they need to do this.
Thanks BC. I have not read the Keith Stein book. It sounds like I would like it. It surprises me how negatively some people have reacted to the idea. Even if one is to disagree wholeheartedly, it seems benign to me. At the same time, I think it is one of the things that makes the clarinet easier in the long run and makes the technique faster and cleaner. Your students are lucky to have you!
Thanks for the tip. As you may know, Kal Opperman, someone who Morales (who you cite) studied with for a while when with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, also advocated such pinky placement, perhaps in addition to the reasons you astutely sight, to better stabilize the instrument given the double lip embouchure he felt his students should play the instrument with. Cheers.
That’s comforting to hear! I have gotten some bitter comments about this video as if the concept is insane or worthy of ridicule. Opperman is an unimpeachable source to call upon for back up lol Thanks for watching and being a part of the community
Thank you for your kind words. I would be happy to do a video on double tonguing. I used to use it all the time. Now less frequently…but I will do it soon
I have restarted playing music again middle aged. And this whole journey has included attempts at reducing global tension (a lesson that is evolving from poor spine health). Thank you for this video. I had never heard about anchoring the pinkies nor discovered it myself. I am looking forward to exploring these anchors and movements. Part of rehabbing my back has also involved learning/sensing core and body anchor zones. I have been working to sense global anchors while sitting and playing to change habits for better ergonomics and less sympathetic tension. I cant wait to put this additional information all together in practice. I have also been learning sax. Im totally going to do the dimes. One question, I see you anchoring your arms against your body. Is this only during practice or do you also perform like this? Thank you!
Thanks for watching my video and making such interesting contributions to the comment section. I had never thought about my arms in any particular way outside of keeping them loose. I may be unconsciously anchoring them. I checked out just a little of one of your videos. You sound great. If you are not already taking lessons or in another online program, would you think about joining mine? I am about to release word into the bigger world. But I am slow to do such things and want you to know now :) Email me at TheClarinetNinja@gmail.com if it is of interest. If not - I hope my invitation does not offend. I am fascinated with your name. Is this a beautiful combination of Skynard and the words natural beauty? My six year old daughter (when I asked what kind of bird she would be if she could choose) told me she would be a bird of paradise. Anyway, thanks for looking at my stuff - congratulations on your great playing! :)
It's hard for me to say if its harder if one is left-handed since I have no basis for comparison. There is no left-handed clarinet I think that things that would be more challenging for a right-handed person will be easier for you and vice versa. Your hands do NOT change position :)
I’ve been playing 60 years. I’m now finding holding the instrument painful. I have arthritis mainly in RH thumb. I’d like advice about this as playing is painful and I need to stop fairly soon after starting. I know there might be custom rests out there.
I have a feeling that either a fancy thumbrest or a neck strap is something that you should try. I don't have any experience with these thumb rests but I know people that have tonkooiman.com/ I do want to be transparent that I have not so much as seen one in real life. A neck strap I know is the BG. It has some "bungee" like flex to the strap. amzn.to/47IlMhq The Rico version may as well (for a lower price) but I have never used one. amzn.to/4b6AX72 I hope these ideas help! :)
Thnx so much. I’ve a friend who’s a professional clarinet player and use a Ton Kooiman thumb test so I’ve seen it and felt it. Very very expensive but it may be the answer.
Is your right pointer finger closing half hole for the altissimo register? I'm doing excecises to improve technique, suond and intonation on that register, and I'm experimenting with fingerings, did I see right?
I didn’t mean to be half hole in this video. That finger lives close to the hole for me in the altissimo. I do half hole intervals going into the altissimo frequently though
I'm actually experimenting with different fingerings for the altissimo and notes like d, F, and f# and G are often slightly sharp with the standard positions, no problems for A, Bb. Altissimo B is very flat, but I know it's me in that case. With this video I will now try half holes and see what happens.
In some way it may be better….however in my experience I would not have the confidence in independent finger motion and my fingers would not clear the holes enough to have the clarinet play in tune the way it should. For these reasons I do it as an exercise only and not when I play “for real”
Nope completely serious. Evidently you didn’t understand the part where I acknowledge the scale will be out of tune because the clearance of the holes fingers won’t clear the holes enough to play in tune. You can feel however you like, but it would be a better look for you, while taking such an abrasive approach to communication, to actually illustrate an understanding of the information presented in the video prior to making such an obnoxious presentation. I wish you all the best. I would suggest finding something more productive to do with your anger.
![[Clarinet]All~ 65 Fingerings 45 notes. All In One Guide. Chromatically[ENG]](/img/n.gif)
It is amazing what a difference a word can make. Releasing the finger is so different from picking up the fingers.
It was a life changing revelation for me!
Awesome video!!! I teach this pinky technique too, but I'm going to send your video to my students so they know I'm not crazy (or at least not the only crazy one!)
That’s a high compliment! I hope this doesn’t just serve to confirm your craziness!
This is a really useful exercise. Thank you.
Glad to hear it! thanks:)
This is correct. Good explanation and good demonstration.
thank you for the nice tip! it's really important concept for both pro and amateur clarinetist.
非常有效的練習
Thank's to share how do we use ours fingers. I'm going to work its.
Yes, this is also how I describe fingertechnique to my students. Its nice to hear it from you. Now I feel more on the right way. But ohne thing i also teach is the difference between the ballistic and the guided movement 😊
I love the idea of ballistic and guided movement! I have never thought of it that way
@@clarinetninja Yes, its really helpful, because the quality of movement change, when you Play fast, and this quality has to be trained also. It feels different in the fingers. The Most only practice the guided quality but there is a limitation in speed 😊
I’m sorry, can you elaborate on definitions for ballistic and guided movement and the difference between them?
Yes! "press, release, close, open" Fingers relaxed
Thanks for watching and commenting John! This video gets largely favorable comments but has also gotten some insulting comments that confuse me. Glad to know there is another person who sees what (I think) is the most logical thing in the world - that a lot of people aren't doing....
Thank you for this advice👍
I'm a newbie clarinetist (1 year of intermittent practice with regular lessons lol) and just got diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which explains the hand difficulties I've had for the last two years.
Just the concept of "press and relax" vs "press and release/lift" is already helping how I think about playing. I'm definitely a pinky-out-in-space kind of person so this is going to be a huge habit to break...but I'm taking it kind of like typing on a computer keyboard. you don't generally lift completely away from a key after typing if you're not a hunt-and-peck typist!
Anyways. Here's hoping reducing the tension on most of my fingers helps me practice better. My right thumb is still suffering because of the weight of the clarinet, and I haven't found the right combo of neck strap and ergo thumb rest to mitigate that yet.
I am very sorry to hear about the arthritis! I agree that this concept may help you quite a bit. Also, keep in mind that tension "travels" sometimes tension in our shoulders or forearms can make it down to our hands.
As I type this....you are totally correct...I am not intentionally picking my fingers up at all.
I have been meaning to make a neck strap comparison video...but I have been too cheap to buy all the straps I would want to compare....I wish I had a bigger channel so the companies would just send them to me lol
This takes practice to another level.
Thanks
Thanks Glenn!
I've mentioned this approach to all my students. I tell them it's one of the secrets to great clarinet playing. I may have gotten this idea from read Keith Stein's (?) book. I'm not sure, but my students know they need to do this.
Thanks BC. I have not read the Keith Stein book. It sounds like I would like it. It surprises me how negatively some people have reacted to the idea. Even if one is to disagree wholeheartedly, it seems benign to me. At the same time, I think it is one of the things that makes the clarinet easier in the long run and makes the technique faster and cleaner. Your students are lucky to have you!
@@clarinetninja thank you
Mil gracias
Thanks for the tip. As you may know, Kal Opperman, someone who Morales (who you cite) studied with for a while when with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, also advocated such pinky placement, perhaps in addition to the reasons you astutely sight, to better stabilize the instrument given the double lip embouchure he felt his students should play the instrument with.
Cheers.
That’s comforting to hear! I have gotten some bitter comments about this video as if the concept is insane or worthy of ridicule. Opperman is an unimpeachable source to call upon for back up lol
Thanks for watching and being a part of the community
Great channel Sir, thank you so much teaching us all to be better clarinet player, can you show us details for double tongue technique?BR
Thank you for your kind words. I would be happy to do a video on double tonguing. I used to use it all the time. Now less frequently…but I will do it soon
Thanks!
Your generosity just made my day. Thank you for the very meaningful action:)
Nota dez, genial.
this is some of the best-sounding clarinet I've ever! you are obviously very talented. what type of clarinet are you playing
goodness! thank you! that is a Buffet RC Prestige
Can you do a video on how to stop sounding like a dying cow? 😂
@@godlovesyou9177 I would humbly submit that may be the underlying topic of all my videos :) can you be more specific?
You should make a video showing us the most effective double high notes fingerings If you know them. I happen to know up to high D.
I will do that!
I have restarted playing music again middle aged. And this whole journey has included attempts at reducing global tension (a lesson that is evolving from poor spine health). Thank you for this video. I had never heard about anchoring the pinkies nor discovered it myself. I am looking forward to exploring these anchors and movements. Part of rehabbing my back has also involved learning/sensing core and body anchor zones. I have been working to sense global anchors while sitting and playing to change habits for better ergonomics and less sympathetic tension. I cant wait to put this additional information all together in practice. I have also been learning sax. Im totally going to do the dimes. One question, I see you anchoring your arms against your body. Is this only during practice or do you also perform like this? Thank you!
Thanks for watching my video and making such interesting contributions to the comment section.
I had never thought about my arms in any particular way outside of keeping them loose. I may be unconsciously anchoring them.
I checked out just a little of one of your videos. You sound great. If you are not already taking lessons or in another online program, would you think about joining mine? I am about to release word into the bigger world. But I am slow to do such things and want you to know now :) Email me at TheClarinetNinja@gmail.com if it is of interest. If not - I hope my invitation does not offend.
I am fascinated with your name. Is this a beautiful combination of Skynard and the words natural beauty? My six year old daughter (when I asked what kind of bird she would be if she could choose) told me she would be a bird of paradise.
Anyway, thanks for looking at my stuff - congratulations on your great playing! :)
what if you are left handed , is it harder to play a clarinet? do your hands change position? is there a left handed clarinet?
It's hard for me to say if its harder if one is left-handed since I have no basis for comparison. There is no left-handed clarinet I think that things that would be more challenging for a right-handed person will be easier for you and vice versa. Your hands do NOT change position :)
can you share the notes of the practice please?
Could you give me a tip?
I’ve been playing 60 years. I’m now finding holding the instrument painful. I have arthritis mainly in RH thumb. I’d like advice about this as playing is painful and I need to stop fairly soon after starting. I know there might be custom rests out there.
I have a feeling that either a fancy thumbrest or a neck strap is something that you should try. I don't have any experience with these thumb rests but I know people that have tonkooiman.com/ I do want to be transparent that I have not so much as seen one in real life. A neck strap I know is the BG. It has some "bungee" like flex to the strap. amzn.to/47IlMhq The Rico version may as well (for a lower price) but I have never used one. amzn.to/4b6AX72
I hope these ideas help! :)
Thnx so much. I’ve a friend who’s a professional clarinet player and use a Ton Kooiman thumb test so I’ve seen it and felt it. Very very expensive but it may be the answer.
hi what is oyur set up?
I have an RC Prestige with a BD4 mouthpiece and use a V12 #4
Is your right pointer finger closing half hole for the altissimo register? I'm doing excecises to improve technique, suond and intonation on that register, and I'm experimenting with fingerings, did I see right?
I didn’t mean to be half hole in this video. That finger lives close to the hole for me in the altissimo. I do half hole intervals going into the altissimo frequently though
Did you mean left pointer?…. That’s the one that would be half hole right?
Ye of course I said the wrong hand ahaha. But yes
@@minogallone3053 I just wanted to make sure my response was coherent :)
I'm actually experimenting with different fingerings for the altissimo and notes like d, F, and f# and G are often slightly sharp with the standard positions, no problems for A, Bb. Altissimo B is very flat, but I know it's me in that case. With this video I will now try half holes and see what happens.
wouldnt it be better if the pinky was down all the time?
In some way it may be better….however in my experience I would not have the confidence in independent finger motion and my fingers would not clear the holes enough to have the clarinet play in tune the way it should. For these reasons I do it as an exercise only and not when I play “for real”
It is not easy to move a finger from an A note to a B
try this video - it is all about that challenge th-cam.com/video/VXXSFMcO5lc/w-d-xo.html
This is a wierd video, full of strange theories. Playing the clarinet is NOT rocket science 😱
Seems like my videos may not be right for you. Cheers
Um, at times, it is. This channel is not for you.
LOL.... You've got to be joking. I'm a professional clarinetist. I think this is ridiculous. You scale is even out of tune.
Nope completely serious.
Evidently you didn’t understand the part where I acknowledge the scale will be out of tune because the clearance of the holes fingers won’t clear the holes enough to play in tune.
You can feel however you like, but it would be a better look for you, while taking such an abrasive approach to communication, to actually illustrate an understanding of the information presented in the video prior to making such an obnoxious presentation.
I wish you all the best. I would suggest finding something more productive to do with your anger.