Klarinet Archive - Posting 000438.txt from 2004/07

From: Umar Goldeli <umar@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Neck straps
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 18:17:19 -0400

Howdy,

While I don't know your condition exactly - I myself can't keep the clari
on my thumb for more than 5 minutes without pain..

At the moment - I play with the bell on my knee - but I know that this is
not a long-term solution. I've tried a neck strap and can't say I'm a big
fan.

After some searching - I came across the "Ton Kooiman"
(www.tonkooiman.com) thumb rests - which look quite good. The idea is that
they bring the weight of the clarinet to bear on the first joint of the
thumb as opposed to the second. So bringing the weight in towards the hand
by almost the length of your thumb.

While I haven't tried it yet - it looks promising because the "force"
exerted downwards on your thumb increases exponentially with radius going
out from the thumb due to leverage - so bringing it in even by a small
amount will reduce it dramatically.

The only complaint I have about it is that you have to remove your
existing thumbrest and drill a couple of new holes for the "Maestro"
model.

If your weight bearing problem is in your thumb - this may be another
option - which would leave you much more free than a strap - and of
course, you can always add a strap later if it doesn't work.

I'll be giving this a go myself in a couple of months when I get back
home.

Good luck!

Has anybody else seen something like this - are there any other
alternatives to the Ton Kooiman "Maestro" or "Etude"?

//umar.

> I've been using the Weight Lifter stand for my clarinet
> but would like to be able to perform standing up, so I'm
> planning to get a neck strap. A search of the archives
> showed many positive mentions of BG and some of Claricord.
> There seem to be many models of BG, though.
>
> Can those of you who use or have used neck straps give me
> any recommendations as to brand and model?

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