Klarinet Archive - Posting 000468.txt from 2001/06

From: Neil Leupold <leupold_1@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Right Hand Thumb Position
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2001 17:43:21 -0400

I balanced a pencil on my thumb & wiggled my fingers.
Felt completely relaxed. Even moved my wrist around a
bit at the same time without making the pencil fall off.
Maybe you need to acquire relaxation techniques.

Neil

--- Mike Dowler <syo@-----.com> wrote:
> What I was saying is that the cause of the tension IS the thumb. It
> spreads to the whole hand, and probably the whole arm and shoulder.
> Try taking a pencil and balancing it on the nail side of your thumb.
> Now wiggle your fingers. Feel the tension in your fingers and arm?
> Now put the pencil down and wiggle your fingers as usual. Feel
> better? Of course, with the clarinet, the balance is a bit different,
> but the main concern is still the same - don't drop whatever it is on
> your thumb!
>
> Mike Dowler
>
> >I don't know about Mr. Neidich and his pupils, but, surely, if the whole
> >of the right hand is suffering tension, then there is something badly wrong.
> >THere should be no need for this to happen.
> >Roger S.
> >
> >
> >
> >In message <f05100300b74ee4309c07@-----.124]>
> >klarinet@-----.org writes:
> >> 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
> >>
> >
> >> Do You Yahoo!?
> >
> >> Get your free @-----.com
> >
> >>
> >
> >>
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> >>
> >
> >--
> >For own past is covered by the currents of action,
> >But the torment of others remains an experience
> >Unqualified, unworn by subsequent attrition.
> >People change, and smile: but the agony remains.
> >
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> --
> http://www.mp3.com/mikedowler
>
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Get your free @-----.com
>
>
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