[aircanuck]

Hello all,

I squeeze a ton of information from these forums and one thing I have started doing is playing in front of a mirror. Yeesh, it's baaad. One of the big things I have noticed is when not engaged on the pad, my pinky fingers (both sides) point outwards. I try so hard to relax them where they should be so that they're ready when needed, but I concentrate so hard on this that my brain generates an error code for everything else while practicing. People notice that I do this when exaggerating with my hands while talking as well. Those pinkies stick straight out in defiance to the world.

I don't have a local instructor right now and am looking to pick one up online, so in the absence of that, I turn to you all. Any thoughts or guidance?



Background, 40, completely green to music, finally time to check off a box of things I have let myself miss out on.

Thanks for being a great resource, you have gotten me started nicely over the last while.

 

[Dr G]

OK, yeah, that's weird. :twisted: :bluewink:

Consider making it a point to maintain contact on the touches. I rest my pinkies on the G# and Eb keys. See what feels more natural to you.

 

[Guto]

If you are able to keep the pinkies in the right place while relaxing at very slow speeds, this is just a matter of practice with time. As for everything you will learn, always start at a speed you can execute it perfectly and only then start increasing speed slowly week to week.

 

[Wonko]

I found this video very helpfull

 

[saxoclese]

If all else fails.

 

[J-Moen]

If all else fails.

View attachment 259090

Ah finally, something that will work for me. I'm gonna have to get some of that. And then i imagine I'll practice more since my horn should be with me more often.

 

[aircanuck]

If all else fails.

View attachment 259090

You joke, but I am considering wrapping an elastic band around them when I practice. Yea, it's that bad.

 

[Dr G]

You joke, but I am considering wrapping an elastic band around them when I practice. Yea, it's that bad.

Awareness is the key. Become aware of the sensation of touching the pinkies to the keys of your choice. Fixing your pinkies to the keys in any artificial way is just another habit to later overcome.

 

[GaSax]

Practice using those notes more. Bb, C, B, C, C#, C, Bb, C etc doing long tones, quarter notes or what ever you prefer. You could do the same for Eb, D, C, D, Eb etc.

Do it many times, over time and build up muscle memory for the pinkies.

 

[turf3]

You just have to keep it in mind until your habit of fingers up in the air is replaced by a habit of fingers able lightly to sense the key touches when not depressing the keys.

I developed the fingers-in-air habit and I'm still working to get rid of it after 30+ years. The sooner you start working on it the better.

I find that a good time to focus on hand position is when I'm sitting there playing sax parts full of footballs.

 

[aircanuck]

Awesome, everyone. Thank you! I think slowing it down and incorporating those fingers into my practice more is great advice. Truly appreciated.

 

[saxoclese]

One of the best arguments for taking lessons from a qualified teacher at the beginning is that it helps to establish proper playing habits right from the start. Once bad habits are ingrained it is very difficult to extinguish them and substitute proper playing habits. I taught band for 32 years which makes me an authority on the subject.

 

[aircanuck]

Well, I just watched a performance from one of my favourite sax players of all time and there was his pinky sticking straight out when it wasn't needed...To hell with it, I have bigger problems.

 

[AddictedToSax]

I was hoping someone would suggest that. Congrats on finding it yourself.

 

[swperry1]

I had a lesson teacher point out that my fingers were kind of all over the place and he gave me an exercise that helped. It was from a book, but who knows which one...It was seriously just slow and even chromatic scale sections with the focus on maintaining contact with the appropriate keys. Basically only lifting to make a necessary move such as on the pinky tables. I would just use it as a warmup a few times a week and he noticed the difference.
You’re right though, plenty of great players have bad finger placement and it doesn’t really matter.

 

[rek]

Lightly resting fingers on the keys, practice 3 note scale snippets up and down. Do it for a few minutes every day starting slowly and building up speed as able. Then do 5 note snippets. A small amount is good, too much pinky work increases the risk of tendinitis. Don't think about it when practicing your other stuff or it will get in the way. It eventually comes naturally.

 

[aircanuck]

Lightly resting fingers on the keys, practice 3 note scale snippets up and down. Do it for a few minutes every day starting slowly and building up speed as able. Then do 5 note snippets. A small amount is good, too much pinky work increases the risk of tendinitis. Don't think about it when practicing your other stuff or it will get in the way. It eventually comes naturally.

That seems like a fine idea, I'll give it a go! Thanks everyone for the great insights

 

[lydian]

... and never stop for a cup of tea or a fancy party with hors d'oeuvres. That first cup held with a raised pinky will un-do everything you've been working so hard on.