Klarinet Archive - Posting 000603.txt from 2001/06

From: "Dee D. Hays" <deehays@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Right Thumb and Wrist Problems
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2001 17:52:17 -0400

----- Original Message -----
From: "Roger Shilcock"
<roger.shilcock@-----.uk>
Subject: RE: [kl] Right Thumb and Wrist Problems

> It's conducive to carelessness, I suspect. If you can rest the bell on
your knee,
> it's all too easy to rely on that support too much.
> Roger S.
>
>

It is no worse than relying on a neckstrap or special thumbrest (like the
Kooiman) that redistributes the weight. There is no good reason not to rely
on extra support. The main consideration should be is the support mechanism
such that it will not cause overall poor posture and/or poor embouchure due
to the angle or height resulting from the support.

The thumb is the poorest possible means of supporting any weight. As an
engineer, I would be laughed out of the field if I were to design a
mechanism like the thumb to support a weight like the clarinet. It is only
sheer luck that some people don't need extra support to hold the instrument.
Notice that instruments heavier than the standard clarinet (saxes, large
clarinets, bassoons) are automatically provided with some means of
additional support (neckstrap, floor peg or whatever).

Dee Hays
Michigan

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