Klarinet Archive - Posting 000679.txt from 1997/10

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: sore lip
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 23:56:08 -0400

Dave,
Youe eacher was right about the callus. However, I'm surprised he
didn't tell you about cigarette paper or plumber's tape. Both are very
useful for cushioning your lower lip so you can play longer when your lip
is worn out. Cigarette paper is that rolling paper for those who roll
their own (don't ask 'what' they roll). Plumber's tape is a very thin
plastic tape which plumbers wrap around the inside of threaded joints to
seal them. Get it at a hardware store. Even pros who have a good callus
sometimes have to practice more than their lip can stand so we use these
materials.
As for your thumb, BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!!!! The road to tendonitis
starts by ignoring thumb and wrist pain from holding the instrument. SO
GET IT CHECKED OUT PRONTO! I have
found that with my adult students, when they use a plastic clarinet the
thumb rest and key layout is not comfortable because it was designed for
kids' small hands. If you are using a plastic horn that might be your
problem right there. Also, many people (me included) have have thumbes
which are not perfectly shaped to use the thumb rest as it is presently
configured. So I had my thumb rest moved up and sidways. You need a
patient repairman but it is MUCH more comfortable. Or you can buy an
adjustable thumb rest. These go up or down to put the thumb in a more
natural position. PLEASE, PLEASE, take this kind of pain seriously and
deal with it.
Oh, you didn't say where in your thumb. If it is simply where the
thumb rest is digging into the skin, get some sort of pad. I use 1/4 inch
rubber surgical tubing. Works like a charm. You can also use that plastic
garden tubing you buy at the hardware store for $1.00/foot.

Fred Jacobowitz
Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory

On Wed, 15 Oct 1997, MedProbe Research wrote:

> Greetings to all on Klarinet!
> Please bear with me, as I am new to al of this. I have been reading along
> and find the conversations interesting, although perhaps a bit too
> technical for me at this point.
> I am a very green clarinet player (about a month), and also green to
> reading music in general. I am also 44. I am hoping to find a cure for the
> problem i seem to be having. The person i am studying with is a fine
> musican, although perhaps not on a high level of teaching skills. By this i
> mean university level or beyond, into professional. The problem I have is a
> very sore lower lip. Is this normal for beginners? The inside of my lip
> feels like I burned it with some too-hot coffee. Also, I am getting some
> terific pains in my right thumb. Is it possible I am applying too much
> downward force with my head and neck? Is this also a *newbie* thing? I tend
> to be rather tense i my musculature and movements anyway, so maybe this is
> my problem. I have asked my teacher about my lip and he told me that I have
> to develop a callus.
> Any comments would be very welcome. Thank you.
>
> Dave
>