Slow Fingers

[PlayeroftheEuph]

I am working on Czardas as a solo. The only problem is in the fast section, I am having trouble moving my fingers fast enough in the sixteenth note runs that go from Bb->C->Db and Db->Eb->F. Any advice?

[ufoneum]

In my own playing as well as my teaching I find that three-valve independence is one of the hardest things to work on. Here are some exercises that I work on personally (and with students) to work on your coordination - remember, it is simply that - coordination.

1.) Practice your Clarke Studies with three valves, especially in the lower range. Often the 3rd finger is quite 'dumb', meaning uncoordinated. Building this coordination with Clarke Studies will be frustrating, but shouldn't take too long in the overall scheme of things.

2.) If you don't own the 'Allen Vizzutti' Trumpet Method, Book 1, you should invest in that book. It's like $15.00, but there is a section in there called 'Finger Flexibilities' - another great coordination section.

3.) Remember, the key to playing technical passages cleanly (fast, that is) is to play them rock solid at a slow tempo. The best thing you can do for your technical playing is to work slow practice on it - build the pathways in finger muscle-memory and then slowly speed up. You'll start to recognize patterns the more that you do this, and just like typing on a keyboard - once you become fluent with more patterns (i.e. words on a keyboard) you'll be quicker and won't have to hit the backspace button nearly as much.

Best of luck to you,

Pat

[RickF]

Pat just reminded me of an excellent video (Master class) of Steven Mead talking about the Herbert L. Clarke studies. He talks about that first page of the Clarke Studies and how we can add to it. Also, shows some exercise we can do when away from the horn.

Flying fingers

BTW, if you're not aware, Steve Mead's mentioning of 'quavers' means eighth notes.

[tonewheeler]

I'd like to add, that you should also practice with a metronome too when practicing all of the above.

[JTJ]

I like Pat's recommendation to "Practice your Clarke Studies with three valves, especially in the lower range." I do that some to get better at fast 3rd valve work. Plus, on some instruments it's reasonable to play concert C and concert B in the bass clef staff using 3rd valve combinations, especially since your options are to play a little sharp with using 3rd valve or to play a little flat using 4th; either way you are pulling or pushing the note to get in tune. I noticed on one video that SM seemed to be using third valve combinations plus trigger for some of those notes.

john

[ERocky]

is there clarke studies for bass clef? i have the same problem with some different pieces

[littleguino]

One book in bass clef is entitled Clarke's Technical Studies for Euphonium (trombone) and Tuba with Additional Notes and Excercises by Jerry A. Young. It is a wonderful book and goes through the entire tuba and euphonium range and in one book. I think it cost me about $30 when I bought it so it might not be the cheapest thing out there, but it is definitely worth every penny. I use it every day.