Klarinet Archive - Posting 000578.txt from 2001/06

From: "David B. Niethamer" <dnietham@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Right Thumb and Wrist Problems
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2001 23:13:06 -0400

on 6/19/01 5:10 PM, Gene Nibbelin wrote:

>I have noted in reading the numerous "solutions" to these problems, that the
>easiest solution is generally not mentioned. When I returned to playing,
>the arthritis of age in my wrist and thumb was causing me some problems, so
>I just started resting the horn on my knees. In addition to relieving any
>pain, I found a fringe benefit of keeping my hands (particularly the right)
>much more relaxed, enabling a considerably faster technique.

Unless your torso length and thigh length are perfect to for a right
triangle with your clarinet, you'll be rounding over your back when you
do this, and overstretching your arm muscles as you do. Those muscles are
the very ones that cause 4th/5th finger problems , esp. of the right
hand. When I had physical therapy for these problems, the therapist got
me to sit up straighter, which was helped by a daily dose of sit-ups -
the bent knee variety only.

David

David Niethamer
Principal Clarinet, Richmond Symphony
dnietham@-----.edu
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org