Klarinet Archive - Posting 000638.txt from 1999/08

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Double-Jointed Thumbs....
Date: Mon, 23 Aug 1999 22:12:58 -0400

In my many years of teaching I have run across this problem a couple of
times. There are a couple of solutions:

One is simply to move the thumb rest or get an adjustable one.

Another is to put the clarinet on a pedestal like the "Weight Lifter" TM
or on a neck strap.

A third is to encourage another instrument. Some people will just have to
acknowledge that they are not physically capable of some things.

I once worked with the player to make her aware of the problem so
that they can learn to stiffen up the joint. In that specific case, it was
only a partial movement of the thumb so it was fixable (I know this seems
wierd but don't ask me to describe the specifics - I'm not an osteopath).

Use common sense to figure out the severity of the problem and taylor your
response accordingly.

Fred Jacobowitz
Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory

On Mon, 23 Aug 1999, Benjamin Maas wrote:

> This may sound strange, but I have a teaching question for everybody out
> there in Klarinet-land....
>
> I have a young student (about to enter seventh grade) that has
> double-jointed thumbs (along with a lot of other joints in his body). This
> causes a lot of problems for him to physically hold his instrument. His
> right thumb just buckles under the weight of his clarinet and he supports
> much of the weight with his first finger of his right hand under the side
> E-flat/B-flat key. This makes him hold his clarinet at an angle instead of
> straight up and down.
>
> To try to improve his had position, I have put him on a neck strap. It has
> helped a little bit, but not a lot. My questions are:
>
> 1. Has anybody out there experienced a similar condition, either personally
> or with a student?
>
> 2. If so, what was done to help remedy the situation and be able to hold a
> clarinet?
>
> Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks.
>
> --Ben
>
> ----
> Benjamin Maas
> Freelance Clarinetist and Recording Engineer
> Los Angeles, CA
> benmaas@-----.com
> http://www.fifthcircle.com
>
>
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