Klarinet Archive - Posting 001126.txt from 1997/12

From: "line ringuette" <lringuet@-----.net>
Subj: kooiman thumb rest?
Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 18:40:58 -0500

Happy New Year !!!!!
I have a question regarding the "Ton Kooiman" thumb rest whose ads we see
in The Clarinet.
It recently got a favorable write up in the December issue and I was
wondering if anyone on the list uses it on a regular basis?
I practice alot (doing a master's recital with Bartok Contrasts on it, yup,
lotsa practicin' .....)
and I get constant pain in my hands, wrists, and elbows; furthermore, my
hands frequently go numb or fall 'asleep' on me. I was wondering if this
thumb rest has had any favorable effects on people, such as alleviating
tension in the right hand etc...
Incidentally, I must now rest the bell on my knees when I practice and I
also sleep with splints on my hands/wrists. This seems to help, but if the
Kooiman has some benefits I would be willing to try it.
Also, does anyone know if they are expensive? Do they require permanent
altering of the existing thumb rest? If one installs a Kooiman, can it be
removed to revert back to a regular thumb rest?
I would greatly appreciate a response to my queries... Thank you very much
in advance....
Line Ringuette
lringuet@-----.net