Klarinet Archive - Posting 000056.txt from 1999/11

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] clarinet thumb support and hand problems addendum
Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1999 23:01:24 -0500

At 09:21 PM 11/2/1999 -0500, J. D. Kent wrote:
>Hi,
>
>I can't answer the original question at this time as I am only a
>beginner, but I would like to add a question of my own to this thread.
>After many years of downhill skiing my thumbs have taken a lot of abuse
>from the constant pounding of the poles, and having the straps wrapped
>around the palm and thumb. Needless to say, when I try to practice for
>any extended length of time I have a fair amount of pain in the joint at
>the base of my thumb. Although it has been many years since I last went
>skiing the pain is still there, although thankfully not as severe as it
>was. Any hints or suggestions to this problem would be appreciated.
>
I suffered a skiing injury to the thumb from pole straps myself some years
ago - ripped the tendon right off the bone at the base of my thumb. The
injury is referred to as "gamekeeper's thumb," apparently a reference to a
repetitive stress injury gamekeepers were prone to. Fortunately, I hurt my
LEFT thumb and, while it is still noticeably weaker than the right, was
strong enough for clarinet playing, and even piano, almost as soon as the
cast came off. It would have been another matter entirely had it been the
RIGHT thumb!

I would recommend using a neckstrap. I have been using a Claricord lately,
which, being elastic, takes SOME of the weight off the thumb without taking
away all of your flexibility. Firmer support is available with some other
straps.

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

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

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