 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2003-09-06 04:02
After struggling for a long time to keep control of the clarinet by supporting it with my thumb I bought a clarinet strap, and it really helps. I'm a little self-concious about it though because I have never seen anyone else using one. I'm wondering if any of you out there use it and if there is any downside to using one. I am concerned that I will become dependent upon it and not be able to play well without it if I had to. But then again, maybe I don't have to. Maybe it's ok to use the strap if the end result is that I play better. Any thoughts?
Leonard
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-09-06 04:33
If the strap makes things easier you should use it and not worry that there doesn't seem to be many other players using one. I know quite a few clarinet players who have developed arthritis and tendonitis type problems in their right thumb and wrist. If they had used a strap it's unlikely they would have developed these problems.
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Author: R13A
Date: 2003-09-06 04:57
Whatever works for you. If you feel more comfortable and feel you play better, use it.
I rest the bell on my knee. My neck had multiple fractures and I can't take the weight of the clarinet suspended from my neck.
My Friend and duet partner, Dr. Charles Aurand, uses (for years) a neck strap exclusively due to arthritic wrists.
good toot'n
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2003-09-06 05:28
I use a neck strap when I play standing up. I prefer to stand up when I perform solos, and I find that without the added weight on my hands, I can move my fingers more quickly and a lot more cleanly/evenly. Overall, my playing is much better without the extra weight and burden on my right hand. When I'm sitting down, I rest it on my knees, so I usually don't use one when sitting down, though I have in the past.
Many people do report pain or strain in their right hand after extended periods of playing. Why would you possible worry about using something to help that problem? Also, there is no reason to feel self-conscious. It's true that many clarinet players don't use them, but who cares! I used to take clarinet lessons from the principal clarinetist of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic (who is now head of woodwinds at Sam Houston State Univ), and she performed with a neck strap and sat down (and played amazingly).
As far as "becoming dependent" upon it, I don't think this is really a legitimate fear. I've used my strap for a couple years, but I can still play without it, even standing up (though I play better with it... I don't think that it made me less capable of playing without it... I think that comparatively it just seems worse). I suppose you can become dependent on a neck strap the same way you can come dependent on good reeds and a well-made mouthpiece = ) I could play on a La Voz 2.5, but why would I want to?
Don Hite - theclarinetist@yahoo.com
PS - If anyone plays on La Voz 2.5s, I apologize in advance for having offended you
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Author: Irwin
Date: 2003-09-06 14:32
I use a strap at all venues. No one ever looks at me cross eyed. Also, like Don Hite, I rest the clarinet on my knee, although my reason for doing so is to keep me the clarinet locked and unmoving while I play which keep me from squeeking.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-09-06 14:35
The use of neckstraps by clarinetists (at all ability levels) is growing.
If the Clarinetfest is any measure of accuracy, by my rough estimate one out of five performers used a neck strap.
Ricardo Morales told me that a neck strap (for him) was essential while playing in the Met ...GBK
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Author: William
Date: 2003-09-06 14:47
If it works, use it!! However, I am wondering if you have ever experimented with different thumbrest positions. Since moving my rests higher--on both A & Bb--my clarinets are more stable and my little fingers more free to "do their stuff". Both of my clarinets are equiped with adjustable Bay rests, but even the permently attached TRs can be moved upward by any music technician with no resulting cosmetic or accostical damage to your instruments. For my experiance, moving the TRs would be of technical benefit to you even though you should also continue to use the supportive strap full time. Good luck!
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Author: lycfmtkl
Date: 2003-09-06 15:38
A year ago, I suffered from right thumb pain because of playing the clarinet for a continuous long time. Then I bought a neck strap to relieve the weight. It was a French made BG strap. However I suffered from neck pain due to the strap ! Therefore I threw it away. My solustion to the problem is to use my old plastic clarinet ( which is lighter in weight) in home practice and use the wooden horn in actual performance.
If you find the strape is useful and doesn't cause you neck strain, use it. I can see that one looks smart in wearing a strap to play the clarinet.
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Author: Anon
Date: 2003-09-06 18:17
I use mine all the time due to an overuse injury. I've had people occasionally ask why, but never in a criticizing manner.
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Author: Ray
Date: 2003-09-06 22:02
After another fellow and I started using straps (I like the Neotech.) several others appeared with straps also.
I bet if you continue to use it others in your group or groups will show up with them. They just need someone braver than they are to "break the ice".
I sometimes feel I have grown dependent on my strap because I feel I play better with it.
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Author: Tom A
Date: 2003-09-07 06:37
Stop me if you're already familiar with this piece of equipment, but near Sydney there is a manufacturer of what is known as the PAN adjustable brace. This may be a help for those who have difficulty with a strap because of neck pain.
http://www.panclarinet.com.au/?source=looksmart
Now, being an idiot, I did a search AFTER typing the following description and found that website with its picture. But I'm leaving the description in anyway because I'm proud of it and spent so much time typing it in a way which makes sense.
* Picture a thin semicircular piece of metal. It encircles part of your body about mid-abdomen.
* Extending outward from this (i.e. pointing away from you) is a thin shaft of the metal with a rubber socket on the end. The shaft is about 6-8 inches long, and the thumb rest of your clarinet goes into the rubber socket.
* This is supported by TWO straps from the neck pad. Both adjust in the same way as a sax strap, but are thinner, like shoelace material. One of these straps connects with the shaft near the thumbrest, so you adjust the height of the clarinet. The other connects with the foot of the shaft wher it joins the semicircular brace, so you can adjust the height of the brace itself.
The advantage over a single strap is that much of the clarinet's weight is transferred to the body via the shaft, in the same way as an abseiler going down a cliff with his body almost horizontal has his weight going inward to the rock through his legs, not towards the ground as if he were hanging loosely.
Cheers.
Post Edited (2003-09-07 06:40)
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-09-07 13:17
Like GBK said, one of the pre-eminent solo and orchestral players, Ricci Morales plays with his, all the time.
He's a solid little guy, so body strength is not really the issue... it's the odd position wrists must hold to play the 'pain stick'.
Claricord is the elastic version, BG makes one that adjusts like a sax strap.
*******
You may also derive some benefit from having your thumbrest moved up higher toward the main joint. Opposing your right hand thumb and first finger will go a long way toward alleviating wrist strain.
Not so high that you can't reach the long F key, not so low that your wrist still gets into tweak...
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2003-09-07 17:29
Thanks to everyone for your sensible comments. After using the strap for a few days I find it makes it so much easier that I wonder why everyone doesn't use one. I also play sax, so the feeling of having the instrument supported by a neck strap is very familiar to me.
Leonard
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-09-07 17:39
Due to RA I use the Claricord (elastic) mostly and have noted on double-lip that there is a slight tone difference between that and single-lip using the standard thumb-rest position as the tension in the jaw can be relaxed using the claricord vs the standard thumb-rest. Not having to apply as much pressure possibly.
Bob A
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Author: pkp
Date: 2003-09-08 22:04
i have used an elastic strap for about a year due to chronic tendonitis and muscle strain in my right arm (too much computer work). i stopped feeling self-conscious about it after a couple of weeks, and now i wouldn't play without it even if my arm miraculously got better.
i CAN play without it, but i really feel the weight of the instrument when i do and i have to stop playing after about 15 minutes.
if the strap gives you an advantage - use it!
good luck,
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