Quick Fix Friday: Right Pinky

Hello, and happy Friday the 13th!

Today’s quick fix will help polish your technique and make technical passages so much easier, all in one fell swoop. The secret? When possible, use your right pinky to play low E, F, F#/Gb, and G#/Ab or middle B, C, C#/Db, and D#/Eb (aka the “pinky notes”).

If you’re coming from or going to another pinky  note, this won’t work (Clarinet Commandment: Thou shalt never slide from one pinky note to another). But take a look at the final line of Cavallini’s “Adagio and Tarantella”:

It is much easier to play B with your right pinky than your left (or with both pinkies). Keep this in mind the next time a passage involves a pinky note and experiment with using your right pinky. Chances are, it will be much easier and cleaner.

Happy practicing!