Klarinet Archive - Posting 000210.txt from 1996/09

From: Sherri Hill <sheba@-----.NET>
Subj: Re: Sherri Hill's advice
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 23:36:08 -0400

On 2 Sep 96 at 15:12, Neil Leupold wrote :

> On Mon, 2 Sep 1996, Sherri Hill wrote:
>
> > Try a neck strap. I have been using a BG neck strap for a few years.
> > With the neck strap I was able to focus on playing. Every once in a while I
> > will take it out and use it. It's nice to know you don't have to play with
> > pain.
>
> How does the BG strap work? You seem to have found it very effective,
> AND you state that it is not necessary to use it all of the time. This
> sounds very hopeful for me. I'm trying to get a sense of which strap
> would be the best one to try initially. Nobody has made comments on the
> Claricord, but your personal endorsement of the BG strap has me interested.

It is like a lyre ( metal ring around the center).With a bar that screws into
the metal band. The strap hooks onto the bar.

It's available with an elastic strap ( which I have) or a regular sax-like
strap. As David said, it can be difficult to change instruments. But when I
played both Clarinets ( Bb & A ) I didn't need it then. And since I've started
tripling I sometimes use it when I play straight Clarinet ( i.e. Brigadoon this
past May).

Anyway the reason I use a strap is to alleviate the weight on my right hand. I
don't want to take the weight off completely. So an elastic neck strap ( BG or
Clarichord ) would be fine.

Is there any way you could try both out before? Can you go to the local store
and try things out? Either way one of the two should be helpful. I couldn't
comment on the Clarichord. When I was looking for a strap I didn't like it.
But that doesn't mean it doesn't work. You should try using a strap until
things start to feel more comfortable. Whatever it is, a strap will help and I
know you don't want to stop playing.