Klarinet Archive - Posting 000500.txt from 2003/01

From: "=?iso-8859-1?B?R3XwbXVuZHVyIN7zciBOb3LwZGFobA==?=" <gthn@-----.is>
Subj: RE: [kl] Thumb Pain - The GN Clarinet Support!
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 2003 10:51:38 -0500

Honorable list members! I resend my letter because of the discussion of
thumb pain and related issues!

::::::::::
This letter can be considered as commercial, and perhaps it is! But I
believe that it is very important for clarinet players to know about
that there exist a solution to reduce the weight of the clarinet, and
other clarinet related problems. The solution is THE GN CLARINET
SUPPORT" I have had many letters from clarinet players who are very
happy having the Clarinet Support and all tell the same story!! It's a
device that really works! The GN Clarinet Support is no ordinary thumb
rest but much more, with full respect to "thumb rests"!!=20

Because there is always some discussions about thumb pain and
difficulties because of clarinet playing I want to add to it by sending
to the list some text from G. Nordahl website where the device is
presented! The web address is: http://www.nordahl.is Feel free to browse
the website and I promise that you will know about the device which
really works and is easy to use!=20

Text from the website!
A great awakening regarding working conditions is taking place
worldwide. Jobs, even whole professions, are being redesigned from
scratch to pay heed to the human body, as well as to facilitate safe
ways of working. Music is no exception to this awakening; the musician's
job involves great strain on the body - so great, in fact, that strain
injuries among musicians are similar to those of athletes. Indeed
musicians and athletes often have the same specialists treating their
injuries.=20
The weight and shape of musical instruments often conflict with good
work ergonomics, so the use of special support equipment for study and
playing is often necessary. In many cases, the support is designed into
the instrument. Many involved have tried to address the problem of
support, but with mixed results.

A piece of support equipment should be designed to solve a problem not
substitute an old problem for a new one. As the musician and music
student at any level will know, equipment which eases an instrument's
weight, but in turn makes it more difficult to play, will not help much.
=20
If musical support equipment is really to serve its purpose, the
designer must be an authority not just on the instrument itself, but
also on various ways of playing it (sitting, standing), and an authority
on how musicians tend to move and behave when playing in different
situations. The designer must also be knowledgeable in the physiological
aspects of playing, i.e. muscles used under different circumstances,
breathing, strain on pressure points, etc. Last but not least, the
designer needs years of experience using the instruments in question.

All of the above describe Gudmundur Nordahl, an experienced musician,
and mentor of beginners as well as advanced music students for years.
Through his extensive playing and teaching, Mr. Nordahl has become
familiar with the intricacies of each instrument. Now he has utilized
his vast knowledge and experience to design musical support equipment
that works and are certified by many distinguished musicians.

GN Musical Instrument Support is a line of equipment especially designed
to prevent strain injuries and other problems associated with playing
musical instruments. G. Nordahl Inc. now offers two innovative designs
in the GN Musical Support Equipment product line: CS for the clarinet
and TS for the trumpet. CS and the TS are the first members in a family
of musical support equipment from G. Nordahl Inc.
=20
Scientific research has shown that CS and TS are especially suitable for
children, as well as for more advanced students and musicians. CS and TS
are manufactured from special plastics, so they are very lightweight and
extremely strong. Both CS and TS are designed to fit easily into
clarinet or trumpet cases. CS and TS are quite simple to use, and their
ergonomic design eliminates problems caused by weight or shape. Having
eliminated those problems - as well as worries about them - the CS and
TS can most certainly help younger students develop faster than they
could otherwise.

CS and TS have four unique parts each. Parts common with the two are: a
seat plate, an adjustable rod with a spring suspension, and a belt
buckle for playing standing up. The CS attachment ring can remain on the
clarinet after being initially attached. Only one simple click is needed
to attach the ring to the rest of CS. For the trumpet, an attachment
fork is used instead of a ring.

Clarinet Support (CS) and Trumpet Support (TS) are very simple to use!=20
Clarinet and trumpet players can use CS and TS to practice while sitting
down and when standing.=20
The seat plate is used when sitting down, but a belt buckle is used when
standing.

Before playing, you will need to choose the right size of attachment
ring and attach it to the clarinet. CS comes with two rings, one for
clarinets with a circumference of 30mm or smaller, and the other one for
clarinets with a circumference of 30mm or larger. Some force is required
to attach the ring, and this is normal. However, children may require
assistance from an adult. The ring can remain on the clarinet.
Trumpeters need only attach the fork on the TS main rod and slide it to
the correct place on the trumpet.

Best regards

Gudmundur Thor Nordahl
gthn@-----.is

-----Original Message-----
From: Roger Benson [mailto:rbenson@-----.net]=20
Subject: RE: [kl] Thumb Pain

Ain't it great! I have suffered with this for several years now and
it has nothing, in my case, to do with playing the clarinet. I have
arthritis in the thumb joints and it can be most annoying I have
taken to taking a couple of naproxen every morning and it helps. I
am sure they make more potent Arthur meds. I am told Glocossamine
helps but it didn't in my case it got worse. Not diagnosing your
problem, just information for contemplation.

Roger

-----Original Message-----
From: Audrey Travis [mailto:vsofan@-----.ca]

TIA!

Audrey

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