Klarinet Archive - Posting 000453.txt from 2001/06

From: Mike Dowler <syo@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Right Hand Thumb Position
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2001 00:22:39 -0400

I have also used the Kooiman Etude thumb rest on both my A and Bb. I
have almost eliminated pain and fatigue in the thumb area, and in
fact I found it increased my general playing endurance. In a
masterclass, Charles Neidich suggested much of the pain in the thumbs
is due to the fact the thumb rest is so small and we must constantly
tense our hands to keep the clarinet balanced on the little stub of a
thumb rest. With a neck strap, IMHO, there is still tension where the
player must constantly push the clarinet out from the player, and the
restrictiveness of the strap connecting the clarinet to the neck
makes one generally more restricted in their motions, and therefore
more tense while playing. The Etude is in some ways better than the
Maestro in that Mr. Kooiman has chosen an optimum positioning for the
hand, with only vertical adjustments in both the thumb rest and the
hook (they both adjust separately) to worry about. And on top of that
it is less expensive, $35 Canadian, I believe.

Mike Dowler
--
http://www.mp3.com/mikedowler

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