Leslie Craven | Posture and Hand Position

Posture and Hand Position

: Generally good position but thumb slightly too horizontal

: Head too far back arms too close to body pulling mouthpiece down against lip

: Arms too high head too low

: Generally good relaxed position but look at the LH thumb – slightly too horizontal – could be more towards an angle of 45 degrees

: Poor hand position R.H.: bunching fingers that overlap. L.H. thumb is on body of clarinet – a common fault

: Poor hand position – thumb on body of clarinet below back hole and little fingers dropped below clarinet – plus bunching of other fingers

: Poor hand position – Hidden pinkies – little fingers fall below clarinet

: Fly away fingers – too high

: Incorrect use of Right hand on side keys – hand over – rotated

: Poor hand position – right hand not in place over ring keys and left hand over – rotating to play A key

: Another view of over rotation of hand to play A key and Right hand out of position

: Arms too far out to the sides – elbows too high

: Good hand shape forms a sausage shape or kidney shape

: Closer view of good hand shape

: Good hand shape holding instrument

: Good hand shape – note straight wrist – not bent

: Good hand positions note straight wrists – not bent

: Good hand position fingers clearly over holes and ring keys and not too high

: Good hand position note thumb position and closeness of fingers to holes and rings

: Good position – left hand operating the A key – note not too much finger on key – only side of finger engages key and pivots enabling access to ring and G sharp keys