 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Tony
Date: 2001-02-05 02:53
hi, im doublejointed and im wondering if its bad for clarinet?? ive noticed that my right thumb hurts a lot after playing for a long time, and i have a big bump on it. The bone hurts. sometimes it really hurts.....I HATE BEING DOUBLEJOINTED!
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Author: Bob Curtis
Date: 2001-02-05 03:05
Tony:
I have taught students in the past with a similar condition and have devised an exercise which might help strengthen the muscles in your right thumb. Try this and see if it works for you. Make a clenched fist, extend your thumb in an upward position, rotate the hand and arm toward the left until the thumb is pointing horizontally to the left. Raise the left hand, fingers together with an extended open hand position so that the right thumb can press against the palm of the left hand. Push the thumb against the left palm until it begins to bend. Stop, repeat this several times. Try to keep the thumb straight each time you do it. Relax when the thumb gets tired and do it again, and again. This will help strengthen the muscles controlling the thumb and hopefully help alleviate your condition.
Good luck,
Bob Curtis
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Author: Evan
Date: 2001-02-05 03:34
I have the same problem, I had never thought it was due to double jointedness. I have been playing hours a day for a year or so and it gets better, or maybe you just don't care after a while. Good luck. I woanted to know if your fingers are quicker than most people's, because I think mine are, maybe it is due to the same thing.
Evan
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Author: Cass
Date: 2001-02-05 11:53
I'm hearing so much about thumb problems that I'm starting to think neck straps should be considered basic equipment. Maybe people practice longer hours now that clarinet players used to. The same happened with pianists starting 35-40 years ago when all of a sudden everybody was a maniac about playing all the notes with no clunkers. A lot of fine pianists over-practiced and had to quit at least temporarily because of injured hands (Leon Fleischer, Gary Graffman, Murray Perahia, others). Maybe clarinet players are getting the same way.
I know people who practice their music 5 hours a day. I don't practice that much myself, but if I did I would get a neck strap and try to stop the trouble before it starts. It seems like once you get injured, it is hard to heal because playing the clarinet keeps aggravating it. Better not to get the injury to begin with. Fat lot of good that does the person who asked the question, I know, but I'm thinking some of us (like me) might learn something from all the people who are having thumb trouble.
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Author: 'nifer
Date: 2001-02-05 12:54
hey! ;-) the problem of being doublejointed in my thumb never bugged me until I tried to play cello! eek! I do practice at least 5 hours a day, but the most important part of my practice routine are the BREAKS that i take when i practice.. I ususally take 15 minutes for each hour i practice so i dont wear myself out! it is amazing how much a little break can help!
'nifer
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Author: Blake
Date: 2001-02-05 19:56
I've noticed it to but my thought on it was that its probably because i'm spending 10 hours a day using the thumb on the right hand to space when I type that I wasnt using 20 years ago when i was playing..... IMHO thats my hunch.. Blake
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Author: Kelly
Date: 2001-02-07 02:37
I don't think that the bump and pain on your thumb is necessarily from being double jointed, just from the weight of the clarinet and possibly bad hand position. It is natural to get a callous on your thumb from where the clarinet rests when you are playing. If the pain is in the bone, then you are probably pressing into the clarinet. A good way to get out of this habit is to rest the clarinet on your knees, and playfor a few minutes each day without supporting the clarinet with your thumb. If you can, put a book under your feet so you aren't leaning over to reach your knees. If you play resting on your knees too frequently it can cause problems with your back. If the pain is like a sore or a burning feeling on the skin it probably just means you are developing a callous on the skin, and after a while the pain will go away and you may have a hard spot on your thumb. If the pain becomes unbearable or travels to any other part of your hand see a doctor or physical therapist, they can suggest certain excercises to develp those muscles and prevent damage. Also, talk to your teacher about correct posture and hand position. I hope some of this helps!
Best Wishes,
Kelly
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2001-02-10 10:32
Hi from another sufferer. I found that after up to 10 hours a day my thumb was seizing up. A major problem for a full time pro player. I changed my thumbrests on my orchestral pair, which are German system just to complicate matters and use a strap most of the time. I found playing the bassoon has helped with the flexibility of my right thumb not to mention the left. Make sure you take the instrument out of your right hand when you are not playing and warm up all your fingers before you start.
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