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themselves may simply create confusion unless their use is guided by a well-developed musical
sensitivity and insight. T h e inner vision we have of music, not just digital expedience, must always
guide our technical choices. When teachers encourage their students to develop such objective
insight, unclouded by the various limitations and conventions of clarinet technique, much will be put
into perspective. Such a sensitivity, once awakencd, always strives for morc than just technical ease,
but demands a perfectly satisfying artistic solution to every technical problen~.
I believe that when this inner vision of music becomes the touchstone from which all development
takes place, playing music and playing the clarinet will become unified in a way not otherwise achievable. Considering the deep human drive for
and the rich resources of the clarinet, we need
not settle for less, both as an ideal to strive toward and a reality to achieve, if but fleetingly.
Thomas Ridenour, 1986
Foreword to the S
ixth Printing
When "Clarinet Fingerings..." was first written in 1985 I did everything I knew to make it thorough
in content as well as easy and convenient to use. It has now gone into its sixth printing, has had
sustained sales for almost a decade and a half and is now being used by a generation of clarinetists
who were hardly out of diapers when it was first written. Everywhere I go I find clarinetists and
educators who tell me how useful the book continues to be to them. "I keep it on my stand all t h e
time." is a comment I frequently hear. Fifteen years, in the sum of things, is not even a particle of a
particle, but in this world which is drastically changing at such an alarming rate, fifteen years seems
almost an eternity. I am grateful it has lasted this long, and hope that it continues to benefit both the
educator and performer as w e launch into the uncharted waters of the twenty-first century.
Tom Ridenour, Jan. 2000 A.D.
Denton, Texas
A'
1. This is a very good fingering, especially slurring to
C?.
6,
Suggested uses:
MorM. Trio, mvi. 3. ms. 11-13 after letter Z
2. This fingering is useful in soft anacks and legato
passages. It is faulUess in legato passages which c;oss
to or from the lower altissimo. Although it is somewhat
awkward to learn,it is well worth the trouble. It is very full
in timbre and a bit sharp in pitch, but very manageable.
Suggested uses:
Weber, Quintet, mvt. 1, opening clarinet pitch
Saint-Sa&s, Sonala, mvt. 1, ms. 16
Brahms, Sonaia #l, mvi. 1, ms. 58, 149
Brahms. Trio, mvi. 2, ms. 1
Schumann. Romances, mvt. 1, ms. 7 & 2 measures
before letter C
Debussy. PrernGre Rhapsodic, 5 measures after
number 3
Schumann. Phantasieswke, mvt. 2.ms. 25
3. This fingering is sharp, but responsive
Suggested uses:
Lkbussy, Premiere Rhapsodie, 2 measures before
number 6
7. This fingering is similar to CX' No. 4. it is a bit brighter
and bener in tune, yet it is not as facile in rapid
passages.
8. This fingering is best used as a soMt,#llfrom
covered fingering for 6' is used.
when me
$?:
10. This note is bright and sharp, but is a brilliant trill from
CIb3to b3.
11. This one is very full in timbre, well in tune, and is
responsive in most situations. n is most useful in slursto
and from the upper clarion.
12. This note is very IIoII
and dark in pitch and although it i s
a bit awkward, it is flawless in anacks as well as slurrtng
t has no peer in r i d e slurs and legato passages.
dynamic levels.
Suggested uses:
Prokotiev. Sonata, mvi. 1, ms. 1
12. This fingering is similar to E' No. 3
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10. This pitch is very flat and its awkwardness limits its
usefulnew.
1 1 Excellent tun~ng,good response, and bright coloration
13. This fingering tunes well. The top side key may be added
or subiracted as necessary.
14. The timbre of this pitdl is very full and warm and it is
only a shade low in pitch. It is excellent from covered F
and responds well in both attacks and slurs at all
dynamics.
16. Thin-sounding, but well in tune, the right hand sliver key
may be substituted for the side key in this fingering.
Violin (or