Klarinet Archive - Posting 000249.txt from 1995/03

From: Jim Freeman <collnjim@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Prosthetic devices!
Date: Thu, 9 Mar 1995 01:16:15 -0500

On Sat, 4 Mar 1995, Peter Temko wrote:

> Hi-
>
> For what its worth - I and my students that need a neck strap use a length
> of "underwear elastic" looped around the neck and around the thumb rest.
> The amount of support can be easily varied by adjusting the length of the
> loop, and I've become kind of fond of the "trampoline" effect that
> results. I use a bit of surgical tubing on the thumb rest so we tuck the
> elastic in behind that to reduce the danger of the elastic coming loose
> and raising welts on the adam's apple area. Another advantage is that its
> an easy on/off deal for switching clarinets in quick change situations in
> orchestras.
>

The Claricord (advertised in cl. mag. and available in many music stores)
works in a similar way. I use it and so do many of my students.

> Does anyone know of a really thin but durable material for cushioning the
> bottom teeth? I can't get used to paper or index card thickness. Any
> ideas would be helpful.
>

You might want to try using the plastic part of a band-aid. I cut the
two sides off the gauze part, stick them to each other, and then cut and
shape it to fit. It's a bit of a pain, but it is a very strong and
thin shield that can last 6 -8 months.

Jim Freeman