Klarinet Archive - Posting 000091.txt from 1995/04

From: "April J. Shallenberg" <ashallen@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: neck straps
Date: Fri, 7 Apr 1995 18:28:01 -0400

Helen,
I occasionally use a neck strap for my clarinet that is made of elastic
with a leather tab that slips over the thumb rest. It has separate slots
for attatching to both a Bb and an A clarinet. When I was in high school
and going to All-Region, All-State, or band camp clinics and had to play
a lot, it really came in handy to relieve the pressure off of my thumb.
In order to keep the clarinet from bouncing up, though, you have to put
your thumb on top of the thumb rest. I found that it freed up the
fingers on my right hand a lot. My only problem with it is the fact that
I have scoliosis in my upper spine, and the pressure on my neck gave me a
lot of back pain. The one I have cost about $8.00.

I hope that answered some of your questions anyway!

April Shallenberg
University of Arkansas

On Fri, 7 Apr 1995, Helen Emerson wrote:

> Hi!
> In the discussion on tendonitis, a number of people have referred to using
neck
> straps. While I have heard of people using them, i shall have to profess my
> ignorance on this matter and admit I have never seen a neck strap 'close
up'!!!
> Can someone please enlighten me!!!! As I have a problem with overuse syndrome
in
> my lower right arm (the problem with writing a thesis and practicing!!),
which
> has been partially solved with physio therapy, I am keen to find out more
about
> these straps.
> How do they attach to the instrument?
> Do they inhibit movement?
> Are there different styles of strap?
> I have also heard of (but not seen) a kind of brace that fits around the waist
> and has a post that sticks out and attaches to the clarinet (???!!) Has
anyone
> heard of seen a similar sounding devise?
>
> Thanks in advance!!!
>
>
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> * Helen Emerson *
> * Department of Music *
> * University of Otago *
> * New Zealand *
> * helen.emerson@-----.nz *
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>