Klarinet Archive - Posting 000485.txt from 2004/07

From: "Zornow, Claudia" <claudia.zornow@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Re: Neck strap
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2004 12:28:42 -0400

Umar Goldeli wrote:

> 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.
> ...
> 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.

My problem is tendinitis on the inside of my right arm just above
the elbow. Originally I thought it was caused by weight lifting
and exacerbated by clarinet playing, but now I believe it's the
other way around. The physical therapist I saw said that weight
and stress are transmitted from the thumb all the way up the forearm
and beyond, so clarinet playing can definitely be a problem.

I had been improving gradually, doing careful strengthening exercises
and using the Weight Lifter. A few days ago I tried just five minutes
a day without the Weight Lifter, and the problem came back immediately,
hence my plan to get a neck strap.

Thanks to everyone for the comments. I'll probably order several neck
straps and return whatever doesn't work (checking return policies first,
of course).

Claudia

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