Quick Tips: To Right or Not to Right Your Pinky Keys

[@irenec9880]

Thank you so much for sending me this video. Just what I need😊

[@danielsinanian5649]

Problem comes with G#. For example: a passage that goes D#, C#, G#. As the key signatures pass 4 sharps/flats, I find myself with this conundrum and have self taught "pinky swaps" where I'll quickly go from left to right or vice versa on the one note to try to make it seamless. What do you think about this?

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Pinky switch is exactly the right way to do that! So for that particular example play D# on the right C# on the left then switch to C# on the right so your left pinky is available for the G#. This also comes up when you have something like D#, C#, B, D#. There you do right D#, left C#, right B, but then you have to switch to left B so the right pinky is available for the D#. The real conundrum is something like D# to C# (or B or C natural) to altissimo F! Even a left pinky Eb key doesn't really solve this. We either have to slide to the F or not use the standard F fingering.

[@danielsinanian5649]

@@QuickStartClarinet gotcha. Im finding it tough to pinky switch for semi quavers at 100bpm to sound clean. For the altissimo conundrum, I was taught to only slide down. For example Left B to Left C# or Right D# to C#. And/Or I just wouldnt use my right pinky for that single altissimo note. Clarinets can play such fast passages until there is something that causes the clarinet to glitch. Does not compute. Error. Please break pinkies to play.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

@@danielsinanian5649 😂 I agree leaving the pinky key off the Eb for the high F is the best solution. At faster speeds sometimes combining a pinky switch with a little slide can be helpful. Also, I don't love sliding D# to C# because it can be pretty clunky. D# to C natural is pretty manageable.

[@danielsinanian5649]

@@QuickStartClarinet maybe different hand shapes mean different things are comfortable for others. I am the opposite to you. Good chat quickstart!

[@ThisisAprilAshton]

What if you're going from a low C#, to a low F#, to a low D#/Eb (and don't have the extra key). In this case do we have to "cheat" and unfortunately go from Left hand pinky C# to Left hand pinky F#?

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Assuming you mean low G#/Ab, that is one of the trickiest combinations at first glance. You can't slide C# down to L F#, and you can't slide R F# to G#. The solution is actually a pinky switch. Go to R F# then switch to L F# then your right pinky is free for the G#. In the music I would write R-L over the F# to indicate that I switch from the right pinky to the left on that note. Practice it really slow and you will get the hang of it!

[@aspenx1304]

Oh my goodness. Confused adult returning player. I know ill eventually get it.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

It is a little tricky! Basically just remember that you should almost never be sliding and there is almost always a way to alternate.

[@aspenx1304]

@@QuickStartClarinet ok, I joined your quickstart community. Hello, my name is Isa.

[@QuickStartClarinet]

Welcome!