Klarinet Archive - Posting 000453.txt from 2004/07

From: "Aad Overeem" <aad.overeem@-----.nl>
Subj: Re: [kl] Neck straps
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 20:19:09 -0400

Hello Umar and listmates,

Also had thumb problems and tried different straps, it helped a bit, but I
was always struggling with them.

About two years ago I discovered the Kooiman 'Etude' thumbrest, mounted it
on my clarinet and after a short period of getting used to it, I love it. No
pain and a much better 'grip' at the instrument.

The expensive 'Maestro' is the professional model fully adjustable and made
of metal.
The 'Etude' is made of strong plastic, hight adjustable and much cheaper.
Consisting of two parts, a small 'mounting slide' and the actual thumbrest.
You'll have to 'slide' the thumbrest over the 'mounting slide' to use it,
that way you also can remove it so the clarinet fits in its case.

Mounting the 'Etude' thumbrest is very easy. Simply unscrew the regular
thumbrest and use the existing screwholes to mount the 'mounting slide' with
the same screws or the screws deliverd with the 'Etude'

For me the 'Etude' thumbrest really works.

Hope this helps.

Aad Overeem
Netherlands

----- Original Message -----
From: "Umar Goldeli" <umar@-----.com>
To: "Klarinet List" <klarinet@-----.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 2004 12:31 AM
Subject: Re: [kl] Neck straps

> 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"?
>
> file://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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>
>

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