Klarinet Archive - Posting 000499.txt from 2005/03

From: Nancy Buckman <eefer@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] wrist pain
Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2005 16:26:03 -0500

At 05:41 PM 3/19/2005, you wrote:
>Bill Hausmann wrote:
> > I have been using the Kooiman Etude for some time now. I
> > don't see how it will help WRIST pain much, but it is quite
> > nice for THUMB pain.

I added a neck strap to my Patricola clarinets last summer and hated the
thing. It interfered with the free movement of my left thumb (I seemed to
always hit the strap when opening and closing the thumb hole. I stuck with
the strap out of necessity though, as I was facing a third surgery on my
wrist for carpal tunnel problems. When I left my beat up old Buffet
clarinets with Morrie Backun last summer to be reconstructed, I requested
Jupiter thumb rests, so I could use a neck strap. Except for the
difference in the shape and placement of keywork, I am able to switch
between the two sets of clarinets with no impact on my wrists yet ( it has
been five months since I got the Buffets back). I now have two great sets
of clarinets to choose from when playing in different places. I must admit
that I have never used a Kooiman thumb rest before, but a standard thumb
rest (that accepts a strap) is a site cheaper than the Kooiman set-up and
fits the case without adjustment, so I have stayed with that choice.

FYI, as far as comfort in hand goes, I prefer the Patricolas. But I must
say that the "dead in the case" Buffets have been resurrected to a status
that I had never seen before they went to the great spa in
Vancouver. Their sound is too big for chamber music though, so they have
been relegated to the concert hall only.

Nancy

Nancy Buckman
Principal Clarinet / Orchestra AACC
eefer@-----.net

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