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Modifications: Making it Work

I mentioned in my last post that I found a lot of tension in my body and hands during my last recital. I spent a day working on SUPER relaxed playing - scales and long tones- and then a day working on the hardest passages of the Rouse with my primary goal being gentle, soft fingers.

What I discovered was a hand position issue. I was a little too contracted in my right hand to comfortably play ALL of the required Ds, Ebs, and forked Fs that the piece asks for, as fast and as frequently, for 25 minutes under pressure.

So I went to my trusty package of gel pencil grips - the ones I buy at the grocery store for a dollar or two and use to replace the ill-fitting thumb pads on my students's horns. I cut one up and added a tiny dab of mounting putty - the blue stuff that you use to hang posters in your dorm room.



And I constructed this:



It stretches my hand just a little, and lowers it just enough that I can play what is required without effort. Feels cushiony and comfortable, too.

I have practiced with this new setup for a week now, and performed in the orchestra with it, and am totally ready to present Do Not Fear the 21st Century Oboe Music, Phase 2.  Tomorrow night at 7:30 at Valparaiso University, free and open to the public.  Come on out and enjoy this one with me!

The last few dates:
Tuesday, March 22, 7:30 pm CDT, Duesenberg Recital Hall, Valparaiso University

Friday, April 8, 7:00 pm CDT, First Presbyterian Church, Michigan City, IN

As Musicians for Michiana: Sunday, April 10, 4:00 pm EDT, Church of the Savior, 1855 N. Hickory, South Bend, IN

With the South Bend Symphony: Saturday, May 7, 8:00 pm EDT, Morris Performing Arts Center
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