Klarinet Archive - Posting 000099.txt from 2012/02

From: Nancy <persistentknitter@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Klarinet Digest, Vol 24, Issue 17
Date: Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:02:22 -0500

Janice:

I found my right hand getting very sore when practicing. I tried a neck
strap but felt it was awkward to use while playing. I ended up getting a
FHRED ( http://www.quodlibet.com/FhredGen.php ) and it really helps a lot.
The weight of the clarinet rests on that instead of me holding it up with
my right thumb.

Since I switched to using that - it haven't had any more aches. I bought
the student model and I also use a thumb rest cushion after I put the thumb
rest through the loop of the FHRED. It keeps the FHRED in place even when
I'm not holding it for playing. I do take it off after each practice
session and it's small enough to fit in my case so I can take it to lessons.

I agree with everyone that said don't play through the pain!

-Nancy

-----Original Message-----

> From: Janice Rosen [mailto:operanut@-----.com]
> Sent: 07 February 2012 03:36
> To: Clarinet List
> Subject: [kl] (no subject)
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> I need some suggestions on how to strengthen my right thumb and the joint
> so
> that it doesn't hurt when playing the clarinet.?? NO I don't have arthritis
> and don't normally have pain in that thumb.??? That thumb isn't strong
> enough to hold the weight of the clarinet while playing and tends to sag,
> causing the clarinet to move, and then I miss the finger holes while
> playing.?? I can;t stand the neck straps, so I dont use one to help hold
> the
> clarinet.?? Would anyone have any suggestions for strengthening that thumb
> and the joint that connects the thumb to the hand?
>
>
> Thanks
>
>
> Janice Rosen
> Washington, DC?
>
> _______________________________________________
> Klarinet mailing list
> Klarinet@-----.com
> To do darn near anything to your subscription, go to:
> http://klarinet-list.serve-music.com
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 06:12:04 -0500
> From: Mary Vinquist <krsmav@-----.com>
> Subject: [kl] Instrument Support
> To: The Klarinet Mailing List <klarinet@-----.com>
> Message-ID:
> <CAG19kbgRnSS29QrcH+wOvdXZYq2qMDAkJoA-LmpxWJcTfiHS7w@-----.com
> >
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Janice -
>
> The easy way to relieve the weight of the clarinet is to rest the bell
> on your knee, or hold it between your knees. Robert Marcellus did
> this, so you'll be in good company.
>
> There's a good thread on the Clarinet board, where I mentioned several
> instrument supports I'd come across.
> <http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=269920&t=269885
> >.
> You might at least try a padded elastic neck strap, such as the BG
> http://www.amazon.com/BG-BGC20E-Clarinet-Support-Strap/dp/B000RVSIXS
> or the Neotech <
> http://www.amazon.com/Neotech-C-E-O-Comfort-Strap-Black/dp/B000EEJ8MS/ref=pd_cp_MI_0
> >.
>
> The problem is not simply strength. I'm a big and strong guy, but I
> had right-hand pain problems I couldn't get past. I went to a
> physical therapist who specialized in the hand problems of musicians,
> who helped me tremendously, particularly with repositioning the thumb
> rest and learning to avoid hand and arm positions that produce strain.
> Therapy and strength exercises vary with your particular anatomy and
> problem, so it's well worth going to a therapist. The wind players in
> your local orchestra will certainly have information on whom to go to.
>
> You may have to get some keys altered. For example, Jeanne
> Baxtresser, the principal flutist of the New York Philharmonic, had
> extensive work done to cure hand pain. See, for example,
> <http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=10575&t=10477>,
> <http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=142168&t=142154>
> and <http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=51931&t=51868
> >.
>
> Don't play in pain. I tell you from experience that this is not
> something you can fight through. You need to get at the underlying
> cause. If you have a toothache, you go to a dentist. It's the same
> here.
>
> Good luck. Please let us know how you work it out.
>
> Ken Shaw
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 7 Feb 2012 08:23:08 -0600
> From: <p_marcus@-----.net>
> Subject: Re: [kl] Instrument Support
> To: "The Klarinet Mailing List" <klarinet@-----.com>
> Message-ID: <83D7B1D1BAB7455FBF8D3930F69C90C2@Penny>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> I agree with Mary that resting the bell is an option. Some people are
> appalled at the idea (and it isn't ideal if you ever stand to play), but
> many people playing with a double lip embouchere do this to allow for less
> pressure on the upper lip and less movement while playing. Be careful of
> between the knees, because it can have an effect on the long fingerings
> (low
> F-E/middle C-B), already low on some clarinets. I try to keep it on top of
> the leg on the bottom rim of the bell only.
>
> If you really want and argument about resting the bell, head over the horn
> lists. They'll talk your ear off! Meanwhile, time usually helps strengthen
> the thumb, unless you have Marfan's or some other thing that causes loose
> connective tissues.
>
> Good luck,
> Penny Ward Marcus
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mary Vinquist" <krsmav@-----.com>
> To: "The Klarinet Mailing List" <klarinet@-----.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 5:12 AM
> Subject: [kl] Instrument Support
>
>
> > Janice -
> >
> > The easy way to relieve the weight of the clarinet is to rest the bell
> > on your knee, or hold it between your knees. Robert Marcellus did
> > this, so you'll be in good company.
> >
> > There's a good thread on the Clarinet board, where I mentioned several
> > instrument supports I'd come across.
> > <
> http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=269920&t=269885>.
> > You might at least try a padded elastic neck strap, such as the BG
> > http://www.amazon.com/BG-BGC20E-Clarinet-Support-Strap/dp/B000RVSIXS
> > or the Neotech
> > <
> http://www.amazon.com/Neotech-C-E-O-Comfort-Strap-Black/dp/B000EEJ8MS/ref=pd_cp_MI_0
> >.
> >
> > The problem is not simply strength. I'm a big and strong guy, but I
> > had right-hand pain problems I couldn't get past. I went to a
> > physical therapist who specialized in the hand problems of musicians,
> > who helped me tremendously, particularly with repositioning the thumb
> > rest and learning to avoid hand and arm positions that produce strain.
> > Therapy and strength exercises vary with your particular anatomy and
> > problem, so it's well worth going to a therapist. The wind players in
> > your local orchestra will certainly have information on whom to go to.
> >
> > You may have to get some keys altered. For example, Jeanne
> > Baxtresser, the principal flutist of the New York Philharmonic, had
> > extensive work done to cure hand pain. See, for example,
> > <http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=10575&t=10477
> >,
> > <http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=142168&t=142154
> >
> > and
> > <http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=51931&t=51868>.
> >
> > Don't play in pain. I tell you from experience that this is not
> > something you can fight through. You need to get at the underlying
> > cause. If you have a toothache, you go to a dentist. It's the same
> > here.
> >
> > Good luck. Please let us know how you work it out.
> >
> > Ken Shaw
> > _______________________________________________
> > Klarinet mailing list
> > Klarinet@-----.com
> > To do darn near anything to your subscription, go to:
> > http://klarinet-list.serve-music.com
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:08:37 -0500
> From: "Steve Hartman" <sdh902@-----.net>
> Subject: Re: [kl] (no subject)
> To: "The Klarinet Mailing List" <klarinet@-----.com>
> Message-ID: <62D55048E3914E2FB9432B373C5876EB@Kitchen>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=iso-8859-1;
> reply-type=original
>
> Do you have an adjustable thumb rest? What about padding on the thumb
> rest?
> If it's truly a matter of weakness in the thumb, you might try making up
> exercises for it: for example, you might put your fingers above the edge of
> a desk or table and move your thumb up and down, side to side and around in
> circles to stimulate the musculature.
>
> I would try those before investing in apparatus.
>
> Steve Hartman
> NYC
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Janice Rosen" <operanut@-----.com>
> To: "Clarinet List" <Klarinet@-----.com>
> Sent: Monday, February 06, 2012 10:35 PM
> Subject: [kl] (no subject)
>
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> I need some suggestions on how to strengthen my right thumb and the joint
> so
> that it doesn't hurt when playing the clarinet. NO I don't have arthritis
> and don't normally have pain in that thumb. That thumb isn't strong enough
> to hold the weight of the clarinet while playing and tends to sag, causing
> the clarinet to move, and then I miss the finger holes while playing. I
> can;t stand the neck straps, so I dont use one to help hold the clarinet.
> Would anyone have any suggestions for strengthening that thumb and the
> joint
> that connects the thumb to the hand?
>
>
> Thanks
>
>
> Janice Rosen
> Washington, DC
>
> _______________________________________________
> Klarinet mailing list
> Klarinet@-----.com
> To do darn near anything to your subscription, go to:
> http://klarinet-list.serve-music.com
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Klarinet mailing list
> Klarinet@-----.com
> To do darn near anything to your subscription, go to:
> http://klarinet-list.serve-music.com
>
> End of Klarinet Digest, Vol 24, Issue 17
> ****************************************
>
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