As a clarinet player, you know that you have to maintain your instrument by greasing the joints, shining the keys and storing it away from excessive light and humidity. Unfortunately, too many clarinetists fail to treat their hand and finger muscles similarly well. Performing warm-up exercises keeps the muscles loose and makes it possible to avoid errors caused by stiffness and soreness.
Anatomy
The extensor tendons, situated on the top of the hand, help you straighten your fingers. The flexor tendons, located on the palm side of your hand, help you bend your fingers. When you perform warm-up exercises, you should also work the tendons and ligaments of the wrist and forearm because they hold and support your clarinet.
Considerations
Difficult pieces such as "The Flight of the Bumblebee" and Carl Maria von Weber's "Concertino for Clarinet" require the ability to change finger positions quickly. They also command the use of complicated fingerings that would not be possible without loose, limber muscles. Just like professional athletes condition themselves for regular practice and game play, clarinetists must keep their muscles in top condition or risk making critical errors during ensemble or solo performances.
Exercises
The finger lift strengthens the extensor tendons, making it easier to straighten your fingers. Begin with your hand lying flat on a hard surface. Starting with your index finger, raise each finger as high as possible while keeping all of your other fingers on the table. Perform this exercise three times on each hand. Christine MacDonnell of the International Clarinet Association recommends strengthening the extensor tendons by fanning out all five fingers and following the movement with a tight fist clench. MacDonnell advises clarinetists to repeat this process five times for each hand.
Improving thumb flexion makes it easier to support the clarinet with your right hand and play the F and B-flat notes with the left hand. Touch your thumb to the tip of your index finger; then slide your thumb all the way to the base of the finger. Repeat this process using the third, fourth and fifth fingers.
Benefits
In addition to improving your playing abilities, performing finger warm-ups reduces your risk of wrist strains, carpal tunnel syndrome, thumb strain, bursitis and trigger finger. These conditions cause pain, numbness and loss of function in some musicians, rendering them unable to play their instruments with ease. Performing warm-up exercises properly also helps you improve circulation, relax your muscles, improve your flexibility and fight muscle fatigue.
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