Klarinet Archive - Posting 000078.txt from 2003/02

From: Anna Benassi <acb@-----.is>
Subj: [kl] neckstraps, thumb rests, and the like - and a PS to Gudmundur Nordahl
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2003 04:46:47 -0500

I have been using a neckstrap for some time - my right hand began
misbehaving after my oldest child (a colicky young miss who demanded
that I walk the floor with her for long periods of time) was born. The
neck strap is no particular problem to me. I asked Luis Rossi to
outfit my Rossi clarinet so that I can use my BG neckstrap with the
metal protrusion on it (I happen to like Luis' wooden thumb rest, so I
wanted to keep that option), and it works well. I have a Kooiman thumb
rest on my Buffet and am getting used to it after a period of
adjustment.

But the problem I am noticing is one that my students are having. Most
of them play Yamaha student horns. And while I love the things for
their durability and overall quality of craftmanship, there is one
thing about them that is a hazard for a beginner - the RH Eb/Bb key
stands way too far out from the horn, and young players tend to "hang"
the instrument on their RH index finger. Definitely cramps their style
later on when they try to play fast (though some kids' ability to whip
around the horn despite this symbiotic relationship with that key is
astounding).

So. I have begun asking most of my students to use neck straps. Our
school is admitting them younger than ever, and I got a crop of
8-yr-old beginners last year, none of whom were really large enough
physically to handle a clarinet. The neck strap has helped a great
deal. But I notice that the RH thumb position is, in some cases, being
compromised. Due to the fact that the weight of the horn is no longer
an issue of monumental importance, they stick their RH thumbs way too
far in and are holding the clarinet with their fingers quite close to
the horn. The result is a situation very like that which I was trying
to correct. I suspect that other support alternatives might have a
similar effect.

Does anyone else have experience with this? I just saw a photo of
Kooiman's Etude (thx to Jeroen Salm for sending the link) and wonder
if it might not help - by providing support at two points on the
thumb. Another device I am interested in but have never seen is the
Bay Thumb Guide. Does anyone have experience with it? I really need to
help these students before they become accustomed to a hand position
that is ultimately inefficient or even unhealthy.

Thanks much,
Anna

PS: An aside to Gudmundur Nordahl: You should do some well-organized
direct marketing of your products here in Iceland. Here I am in your
city, and I have never even seen your devices. It's a shame. The best
way for you to proceed is to contact the music schools direct and ask
the schoolmasters if you could come to a staff meeting or staff
seminar to give a presentation. As you may well know, the new music
teachers' contract requires that the schools conduct a continuing
education program for their staff members. Such a requirement is an
absurdity, of course, but I know for a fact that most of the
schoolmasters are scratching their heads over how to do this.
Presentations of equipment and "helper" devices could easily form a
part of such a continuing ed program. I'm not saying you'd sell
millions of units, but there are an awful lot of music students in
Iceland who might end up buying. I think it's worth a shot. Good luck.

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