Klarinet Archive - Posting 000805.txt from 1998/03

From: "Diane Karius, Ph.D." <dikarius@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: NeckStraps & a related question
Date: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 11:43:53 -0500

Sorry for not including the whole name - I was in a rush.
Unfortunately, I don't remember which Roger it was.

> Is this Roger Shilock? It wasn't me!
>
> Roger Garrett
> IWU
>
> On Thu, 12 Mar 1998, Diane Karius, Ph.D. wrote:
>
> > Roger wrote:
> > >
> > > I've a suspicion that using a strap could be a substitute for developing a
> > > good R. H. position.
> >
> > Its also possible to develop bad R.H. position because the
> > joints/muscles of the right hand/arm are unable to deal with the
> > weight effectively. The human wrist (and ankle) can vary
> > tremendously from one person to another (from subtle changes in the
> > shapes of the bones to variations in the number of bones present -
> > any of which changes the way the tendons attach, changing the
> > mechanics of the entire system etc...). Because of this, the
> > decision to use a strap or not is one decision that everyone will
> > have to arrive at for themselves (hopefully with a teacher who can
> > help them maintain/develop proper positioning regardless).
> >
> > Just a question out of curiousity - how many people currently using
> > neckstraps while playing the soprano clarinets (or teachers who
> > advise their students to use a neckstrap) tried/ advised the use of
> > adjustable thumb rests before making the move to the neckstrap?
> >
> > Why I'm curious: One thing that has become apparent from the
> > research on repetitive use injuries (which most people using
> > neckstraps have described here) is that the hand/arm was often being
> > held in an inappropriate position for literally years before the
> > development of the injury. On the clarinet, an obvious contender
> > for forcing the wrist/thumb/hand into the wrong position would be the
> > physical relationship between the thumb rest and the position the
> > fingers have to be in to cover the tone holes. There is enough
> > variation in the shape of the hand and mobility of the wrist that I
> > find it hard to believe that the standard positioning of the thumb
> > rest will work for everyone (if it did there would be no market for
> > the adjustable thumb rests!).
> > Diane R. Karius, Ph.D.
> > Department of Physiology
> > University of Health Sciences
> > 2105 Independence Ave.
> > Kansas City, MO 64124
> > email: dikarius@-----.EDU
> >
>
>
Diane R. Karius, Ph.D.
Department of Physiology
University of Health Sciences
2105 Independence Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64124
email: dikarius@-----.EDU