Klarinet Archive - Posting 000921.txt from 1998/03

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: NeckStraps
Date: Sun, 15 Mar 1998 11:33:59 -0500

At 11:20 PM 3/14/98 -0500, you wrote:
>I had a physical therapist dissuade me from using a neck strap for the
>reason that it transfers the weight of the instrument on to the
>neck/shoulder muscles. This is evidently potentially as troubling as
>arm/hand muscle problems.

NOW he tells us saxophone players!

Of course it transfers some of the weight to the neck/shoulders muscles.
But I'm quite sure that my shoulders can bear considerably more weight for
a longer time than my thumb.

Note for the record: I have never tried a clarinet neck strap, but can
clearly see the advantages in it for anyone who is having difficulty
playing conventionally. But it may not be for everyone. If it ain't
broke, don't fix it! But also don't torture your poor thumb and wrist for
the sake of tradition when a cheap, easy fix is readily available.

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html
ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.