How to Properly Use Different Pinky Fingerings on the Clarinet

SUMMARY

Key takeaways

The clarinet's pinky keys are linked, allowing the same note to be played with multiple fingers
Choosing fingerings without considering the scale's flow or key linkages can prevent smooth playing
In cases such as C to E or C-sharp to D-sharp, you must start with the left hand
Linkages must be considered in scales, and marking L and R during the practice stage is effective

Clarinet Pinky Fingerings: Proper Differentiation Is Key

Clarinet pinky fingerings are a technique where the same note can be played with multiple fingers, so players often wonder which one to use. This instrument has many keys, and the same note can be produced with different fingers. However, there is the problem that choosing fingerings without considering the scale's flow or key linkages can prevent smooth playing. By properly differentiating pinky fingerings, smooth and expressive playing becomes possible.

Bad Example: Choosing Fingerings Without Considering Linkages

When it comes to pinky fingerings, choosing fingerings without considering linkages causes an inability to play smoothly. For example, if you start with the right hand for the C to E fingering, the linked keys will not connect, making it impossible to play. If you start with the right hand for the C-sharp and D-sharp fingering, the connection will also be lost. Additionally, in a scale with A-sharp, if you start with the left hand B, the linkage will not work properly, making it impossible to play.

Good Example: Choosing Fingerings Based on Scale Flow and Linkages

When it comes to pinky fingerings, choosing fingerings based on scale flow and linkages is a technique that enables smooth and expressive playing. For fingerings such as C to E, C-sharp to D-sharp, and D-sharp, always ascending from the left hand ensures that the linked keys connect correctly, enabling smooth playing. In a scale with A-sharp, starting from the right hand B allows the linkage to work properly, enabling smooth playing. Other fingerings can generally start from either hand, so it is important to choose fingerings that allow smooth movement in accordance with the scale's flow.

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Points to Watch for Clarinet Pinky Fingerings

Choosing fingerings without considering linkages prevents smooth playing. Starting with the right hand for C to E or C-sharp to D-sharp causes the linked keys to lose their connection. In a scale with A-sharp, starting with the left hand B causes the linkage to fail. To solve these problems, it is important to choose fingerings that consider the scale's flow and linkages, and to mark L and R during the practice stage.

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Practice Steps

To effectively master pinky fingerings, it is important to follow a step-by-step practice approach. By choosing fingerings that consider the scale's flow and linkages, smooth and expressive playing becomes possible. By marking L and R during the practice stage, you can test which linkages work well, then write them in and practice accordingly.

Step 1: Understand How the Linked Keys Work

First, it is important to understand how the pinky keys are linked. The pinky keys have connected keys, so pressing just one of them produces the same note. For example, the low E with all keys pressed and the B with the register key have keys that are linked to each other, so pressing just one of them produces the same note.

Step 2: Understand When You Must Start with the Left Hand

Next, it is important to understand when you must start with the left hand. For pinky fingerings, fingerings such as C to E, C-sharp to D-sharp, and D-sharp require always ascending from the left hand. This is because when using these pinky keys, the linkage absolutely must go through a specific side to connect. If you start with the right hand, the linked keys will not connect, making it impossible to play.

Step 3: Choosing Fingerings with Scale Linkages in Mind

Finally, it is important to understand how to choose fingerings with scale linkages in mind. For pinky fingerings, in a scale with A-sharp, you must start from the right hand B for the linkage to work. If you start with the left hand, it will not work. Understanding that linkages must be considered in scales and choosing fingerings that allow smooth movement in accordance with the scale's flow is essential.

Key Points for Mastering Clarinet Pinky Fingerings

Understand how the linked keys work. Learn when you must start with the left hand. Understand how to choose fingerings with scale linkages in mind. Mark L and R during the practice stage to test which linkages work well. Practice with the marked fingerings and find the patterns. By following these points, you can effectively master pinky fingerings.

Summary: Improve Your Performance by Properly Differentiating Clarinet Pinky Fingerings

Clarinet pinky fingerings are a technique where the same note can be played with multiple fingers, so players often wonder which one to use. The clarinet's pinky keys are linked, so fingerings must be chosen with consideration for the scale's flow and key linkages. In particular, there are cases where you must start with the left hand, such as with C to E or C-sharp to D-sharp, and cases where linkages must be considered in scales.

By understanding how the linked keys work and learning when you must start with the left hand, smooth playing becomes possible. By understanding how to choose fingerings with scale linkages in mind and marking L and R during the practice stage, you can test which linkages work well, then write them in and practice accordingly. By following these practice steps, you will be able to properly differentiate clarinet pinky fingerings and improve your performance technique.