Klarinet Archive - Posting 001112.txt from 1998/09

From: Jacqueline Eastwood <eastwooj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: [kl] Thumb rests
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1998 14:27:09 -0400

On Sat, 26 Sep 1998, Tony Pay wrote:

> I once had some trouble with this sort of thing, in a period when
> I was working too hard, and having to practise a lot under pressure. I
> experimented with a loop of elastic tape (the sort that gets sewn into
> clothing) wrapped round the thumbrest and passed round the neck. If you
> adjust the length, it works very well. The force exerted by the thumb
> is much less, but what also seems to help is that, of this smaller
> force, the component exerted by the thumb perpendicular to the body of
> the clarinet is greater than the component parallel to the body of the
> clarinet. (In fact, with a suitable length of elastic, you can get this
> last component to vanish, though I found that too strange for comfort.)
> This setup seems to put much less strain on the thumb. Anyhow, for me
> it relieved the situation, even being quite a pleasure to use, since
> you're much freer than with an ordinary sling, and after a time I was
> able to do without it again.
>
> It might help.
>
> Don't pull the instrument a long way down and then let go.
>
> Tony
> --
> _________ Tony Pay
> |ony:-) 79 Southmoor Rd Tony@-----.uk
> | |ay Oxford OX2 6RE
> tel/fax 01865 553339
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
Sounds a lot like the "Claricord" neck strap I use (too bad you didn't
rush to get a patent on the idea -- someone else beat you to it!). The
elastic quality allows some freedom of movement, yet it is strong elastic
and provides a significant amount of support.

I still haven't bought that Kooiman thumb rest recommended to me a couple
of months ago, but am still having problems due to my freakish extra-long
thumbs. When I get around to it, will post to the list with my reaction.
I have, however, been busy reaming my C clarinet barrel -- what fun!

Jacqueline Eastwood
University of Arizona/Arizona Opera Orchestra
*and now* Double Ring Cycle Survivor
eastwooj@-----.edu

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