Klarinet Archive - Posting 000577.txt from 2002/12

From: CBA <clarinet10001@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Kooiman thumbrest....
Date: Mon, 23 Dec 2002 19:03:00 -0500

Lacy,

There is a lower cost model than the one you are talking about
(also Kooiman) that doesn't need a repairman to drill holes for,
nor a doctor to help position it. It is their "Etude" model
which is about $30. It goes on with the same screw holes as your
regular clarinet thumbrest, and is adjustable up and down, while
the side to side movement is free. I have one on my A and Bb,
and also on my oboe...the pain is gone! I can even play standing
up for short periods of 30 minutes at a time now (although I do
go out of my way to play sitting down now, which also helps.)

Here is the link for the Etude...

http://www.tonkooiman.com/TOPIC-etude.html

You can also just go to

http://www.tonkooiman.com for the info on the other thumbrest
"the Maestro" which is usually about $150-200, and has to be
professionally installed.

Getting rid of the neckstrap was a joy for me, because it
allowed me to get a proper angle again, whereas I was choking
off the sound of my playing with the neckstrap.

Just an FYI...either of the thumbrests will take 3 or 4 weeks to
get used to. After you get used to it, you will not be very
happy with the way the traditional ones feel. I am contemplating
what to do with my Eb and C clarinets, as the thumbrests on
those instruments for me feel strange now, but the weight is so
much less on the smaller clarinets, that I cope with it. If I am
handed a Bb or A with a traditional thumbrest, I hate it
immediately, because of the weight that is unnaturally placed
back on my thumb.

I would buy the Etude again, and my students are switching also,
as many of them experience the numbing pain and tingling in
holding the clarinet also. Most of my students can't afford the
Maestro, nor the installation costs which are sometimes as much
as $50 depending on the installer and if you bought the
thumbrest from them. I liked the Etude better also because the
thumbrest partially comes off so you can fit it in a case, and
doesn't have to be readjusted like the Maestro. I am not sure
how people with the Maestro get the clarinet with the thumbrest
in a case without having to readjust it everytime they take the
instrument back out of the case.

Drop me a line if you need more info. Good luck!

Kelly Abraham
Woodwinds - New York City
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
--- Lacy Schroeder <LacyS@-----.org> wrote:
> Hi, list! I was wondering if any of you have, use, or have
> tried the
> Kooiman thumbrest. The pain in my right arm is getting worse
> and worse,
> despite the use of a neckstrap, and I'm afraid of developing
> carpal
> tunnel if I don't do something to stop it.
>
> Could any of you who have experience with this contraption
> enlighten me
> to your experiences with it since I am thinking of ordering
> it? I think
> it's worth a shot, but I just wish it weren't so $%^#
> expensive (I'm a
> poor college student!). But hey, I can't afford NOT to try it.
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Lacy
>
>
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