Klarinet Archive - Posting 000666.txt from 1998/03

From: Jeff Chan <Jeff.Chan@-----.com>
Subj: RE: NeckStraps
Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 12:41:01 -0500

I use a neck strap. I started using one only after a bout with carpal
tunnel make practicing for any length of time problematic. Now that I
have an ergonomic keyboard, the pain is gone, but I still use a strap
because I can relax my thumb and still play. This seems to give me more
mobility and faster finger speed.

I cannot answer your question about starting with a neck strap.

Jeff Chan
jeff.chan@-----.com

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jennifer Rose McKenna [SMTP:jrm0013@-----.edu]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 1998 9:11 AM
> To: klarinet@-----.us
> Subject: NeckStraps
>
> Since we were on the subject of weight of wooden clarinets I
> thought now may be a good time to get my question answered. Here at
> North
> Texas, I am one of the few (actually 3 out of 20) who don't use a
> neckstrap when playing. Dr. Gillespie plays with a neck strap and so
> he
> has persuaded all of his students to play with one. I will not resist
> to
> pressure....call me a sucker for tradition, but I don't see an
> incredible
> need to use them unless your the type to get nervous when performing a
> solo (standing). All of the students also use them when seated in
> emsembles. I would like to know how many of you use neck straps, and
> why?
> I understand that the clarinet maybe heavy to hold and that is the
> reason
> some people use neckstraps, but I've played Alto and Bari sax, and
> Bass
> Clarinet, and those are the only instruments that I have found need a
> neck
> strap(bass clarinet only when marching). I'm intreseted in your feed
> back. Do you think that starting clarinet with a neck strap is
> advised, I
> think that the student should build up the muscles in the forearm
> first.
>
> thankyou in advance,
>
> jennifer mckenna
> jrm0013@-----.edu
> university of north texas
> music ed major/clarinet concentration
>
>