Klarinet Archive - Posting 000609.txt from 2001/06
From: "Gene Nibbelin" <gnibbelin@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Right Thumb and Wrist Problems
Date: Wed, 20 Jun 2001 21:56:29 -0400
Dee -
You are absolutely correct in your observations.
In my posting mentioning "resting the horn on your knee", I should have been
more specific. Of course, I didn't mean literally on the knees, but on
whatever convenient spot on your thighs that is most comfortable for the
player, depending on physical dimensions.
For example, as I sit here practicing (sitting up straight, with my back
firmly against my chair) I am resting my Bb about 5 inches above my knee.
My A rests at about 3 inches above my knee.
Since I began resting my horn on my legs, I have no wrist or thumb pain (in
spite of arthritis); seldom feel any tension in my neck or shoulders; and,
am able to reduce hand tension to the point that my fingers are moving
faster than I ever thought possible, for me.
-----Original Message-----
From: Dee D. Hays [mailto:deehays@-----.net]
Subject: Re: [kl] Right Thumb and Wrist Problems
----- 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
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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
