Klarinet Archive - Posting 000182.txt from 1996/08

From: Barry Kruse <bkruse@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Neckstraps
Date: Wed, 7 Aug 1996 12:33:13 -0400

Fred,

I have no serious dispute with anything you say--after all, those were the
thoughts I had 15 years ago. The things that intrigue me about this is
that it took the computer era to bring the problem to light, that many
musicians continue on into their advanced years without becoming
debilitated, that children continue to be herded into music lessons with no
acknowledgment that this is one of the risks, and that instrument
manufacturers have continued on without any apparent changes to reflect
better ergonomics.

Why is it that the problems of data entry clerks seem to be taken more seriously
than those of musicians?

Barry

Subject: Re: Neckstraps
Author: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.edu> at INTERNET
Date: 8/6/96 7:38 PM

Barry,
You couldn't be more wrong with your conclusions. The fact that a
condition is finally DIAGNOSED has nothing to do with the fact that it
exists. People have been having strokes and heart attacks for millenia.
It is only relatively recently that an "attack of apoplexy" can be
differentiated into stroke, heart attack, etc. Musicians (and, indeed, all
other professionals) have always had medical problems specific to their
conditions. Ever wonder where the expression "dishpan hands" came from?
There used to be professional kitchen workers whose main job it was to
wash dishes. FOR HOURS A DAY!. And this was before latex gloves.
Garment workers were notorious for getting TB. It was called the
"tailor's disease". Miners have always gotten black lung disease. Well,
violinists have always had problems with their necks/backs, pianists
with fingers, etc. At least now we can methodicaly and sensibly treat
these conditions (to the extent possible, of course) and since we are now
attuned to the frequency of their occurrance and their symptoms, we can
be on the loookout for them and treat the incipient problems before they
become debilitating.

Fred Jacobowitz
Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory

On Tue, 6 Aug 1996, Barry Kruse wrote:

> One of the things that puzzled me back when repetitive motion syndrome
> started being a big deal about 15 years ago was that there was no
> indication that it was a major problem for musicians. After all, musicians
> have been doing repetitive digital motion for hundreds if not thousands of
> years before the typewriter was developed. I think I made the assumption
> that instrument ergonomics must have evolved over the centuries so that it
> wasn't a factor (a questionable assumption given my own experiences trying
> to play other instruments).
>
> Anyway, I think that the fact that a lot of us have gotten involved in
> activities that damage the carpal tunnel--typing, cycling, etc.--makes us
> more susceptible to any strains caused by the clarinet.
>
> I'd be interested to hear what the experience is among any older non-typing
> clarinet players.
>
> Barry Kruse
>