Don't let your fingers spoil things!

[amigomatt]

Hi guys,

Here is a link to my latest article. Here I talk about the paramount importance of good finger technique.

http://northernhorn.wordpress.com/2012/06/12/dont-let-your-fingers-spoil-things/

Cheers!

Matt
_________________
Kanstul 1500A
Bach Strad LB25 43 leadpipe (modified)
Stomvi Master C
Schilke P 5-4 piccolo
Bach flugel
Yamaha D/Eb
Stork mouthpieces
http://northernhorn.wordpress.com/
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http://uk.youtube.com/user/amigomatt

[Rubo]

Good information. I notice that you concentrate on "fingerings" and not as much on technique. I have noticed many players who use very poor finger/hand position and essentially create a physical barrier to efficient and effective fingering. Things are so much easier when fingers are curled, and fingertips ligthly touching the tops of the bottons. Also, for passages/scales involving a lot of third finger, getting the fourth finger out of the finger hook is very helpful in facilitating better dexterity and lightness on the valves.
_________________
1974 LA Benge CG
Bach Stradivarius 180/43
Yamaha 8310ZS Bobby Shew
1965 Conn Connstellation 38A cornet
Couesnon Flugelhorn

[mark936]

Don't bobby shew students finger parts without valves?

What other techniques are you suggesting?

Would having a valve body only and spending time on it help?

Nice thesis.

[homebilly]

my main horns have had the pinky rings removed.

ron
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ron meza
ronmeza.com

[etc-etc]

Nice post.

I would add - to practice fingerings:

1. Get each fingering down pat.

2. Practice all the accessible intervals starting from each note: this number will be equal to
I = n*(n-1)
where n is the number of semitones you have mastered.

For example, if your register goes from the low F# to C above the staff, n = 6 + 12 + 12 + 1 = 31, and I = 31*30 = 930. These 930 intervals separate into 930/2 = 465 up intervals and 465 down intervals. You may find out that more extreme intervals will be out of your ability, for the time being.

How do you practice:
Low F#, Low G
Low F#, Low Ab
Low F#, Low A .... and so on until
Low F#, B above staff, and
Low F#, C above staff.

Then,
Low G, Low Ab
Low G, Low A .... and so on until
Low G, B above staff, and
Low G, C above staff.

Carry on until you cover all the up intervals in your range. The last interval will be High B, High C.

Next, practice the same for the 465 down intervals.

With 2 intervals per second, it will take you less than 10 minutes to complete the drill. If you cannot cover the extreme intervals, this will also make the practice shorter. It may also make you reconsider the benefits of this practice drill.

One can argue no one would need this. Others would argue this is just the first step. The next step is to practice all the possible three note combinations. There are only n^3 = 27,000 of these. In about 4 hours you should be done, and if you speed your playing by 4x, it will take only 1 hour. There will be just enough free time left to start considering the timings of the notes, the attacks, breathing and all the other little niceties.

No one said it was easy ...

[crzytptman]

It is easy - Clarke Technical Studies.