Klarinet Archive - Posting 000898.txt from 1999/03

From: David Adlam <dadlam@-----.nz>
Subj: [kl] Thumbrest
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 01:40:19 -0500

As a professional player who had to stop playing because of thumb problems,
I found that by raising the thumbrest from its usual position, and using a
neckstrap, I could begin to play for about 1 1/2 hours - much better than
the 5 - 10 minutes previously. Also I have found that lowering the
instrument slightly from my previous playing position reduced the amount
of weight on that thumb, allowing my fingers a touch more flexibility as
well. Many of my students have adopted this technique. Only rarely have I
seen a player whose hands were too small to easily reach the lower right
hand keys. Now I am a school teacher, teaching mostly Performance. I find
about 6 students per year at my school suffering from some form of RSI -
mostly pianists. I have been able to help many of them because I am aware
of the problem and by discussing the problem with them and their teachers,
we have often been able to avoid the situation where they have to give up.

David Adlam

Practice makes..............BETTER!

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