Klarinet Archive - Posting 000309.txt from 1996/09

From: Sherri Hill <sheba@-----.NET>
Subj: Re: Slings
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 23:37:40 -0400

On 5 Sep 96 at 10:05, Bernie Hunt wrote :

> > I'd also be wary of how neck straps work for you - If the pad resting on
> > the neck is too thin, the weight of the clarinet on the neck and shoulder
> > muscles could just move the problems elsewhere.
>
> I would still think that the neck/shoulders are better able to carry the
> load than the thumb is !
> If you were worried about this, I don't see any reason why you couldn't
> go the whole way and use one of the harness or braces type slings, that
> are generally designed for use with the larger saxophones. (If it's good
> enough for a baritone sax, it should just about be able to cope with a
> clarinet 8-) ).

I don't remember the original poster of the first response above, but it seems
that person is thinking like a sax player. The Clarinet is much lighter than
the Sax, that's why they have padded neck straps. I played Tenor Sax in High
School Marching band ( I wanted to get away from using my wood clarinet
outside) That instrument was heavy !! I am only 5'2" it was an amazing feat for
me. But I really could have used a padded strap.

The bones in the thumbs are much smaller ( more sensitive ?) than the neck
bones. I'd rather keep my precious thumbs and put my sturdy neck to use.

The end suggestion would be that clarinet stand. ( My memory...
losing it :-) ) You could put the intrument on the stand and play it. Does
anyone know what it's called? Anyway I think that goes a bit too far. You'd be
stuck in one position all night. I like to move when I play...I still vote
neckstrap.