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Thumb/wrist pain, neckstraps, and thumbrests...

Author: Nate Zeien
Date: 2001-04-07 04:28

After reading Sylvain's post, as well having ongoing problems of my own, I thought I would bring up the subject of thumb and wrist pain due to the weight of the instrument. I myself, have had problems with this, since about a few years ago when I played a certain bass clarinet. This bass clarinet was missing both the neckstrap ring, as well as having a peg mechanism that didn't work at all. When I started playing this instrument, there was a wooden block with a handle on the side of it, humourously nicknamed the "German beer mug", because of it's shape and size. Anyway, the German beer mug disappeared. What someone would do with a block of wood with a handle on it, I don't know... Anyway, my band director did not want to have the instrument brought in for repair, and he told me that a wooden block with a handle was not hard to make, and that I should make myself one. Easier said than done. My father said he would make one, but never did get around to it. He wouldn't even give me the money to go to the lumber store to get some wood. Anyway, I went through at about 5 months of playing bass clarinet, using only the thumbrest to support the weight of the instrument. It was fine at the time, and I got through the rehearsals fine, and used the bass clarinet case for support when practicing. Still, at the very end of the time period that I played that instrument, I started to get sharp pains in my thumb, and couldn't support the instrument anymore. Soon after, I played a different horn, so it did not much matter. Or so I thought... I have continued to have these problems with my thumb, when playing my Bb soprano. At first, I thought it was something to do with the thumbrest. I have a fairly new R-13 with the adjustable thumbrest. Granted, this is nice, but it came with no cork. I then proceeded to put a nice thick piece of cork on the thumbrest. Very comfy indeed, but I can still only go for about a couple of hours before my thumb starts hurting. This is not a good thing... I fear now that when I played bass clarinet, that I could have done permanent damage to my thumb. It has gotten to the point where it limits my playing time, yet I do not want to push it further, and risk making it worse. I am not sure whether or not this is something that will get better, although it does concern me. Okay, what has happened in the past to trigger this cannot be changed. I must think of what to do now. I will not stop playing the instrument, nor can I cut down on my practice time. I should practice more than I do, anyway. I do not see where it would be arthritis, as I am still quite young. So, my options that I can think of right now are as follows...

A) Install a neckstrap ring on my clarinet(s), and use a neckstrap.
B) Purchase and install a Kooiman thumbrest system.
C) Use a neckstrap system that connects to the thumbrest of my clarinet.
D) Invent something for the problem...

First of all, there are two problems with both options A and B. I am not sure that I want to have holes drilled in my R-13, or some of my antique instruments. This is something that can not be reversed. Sure, the holes can be filled, but it will never be the same. Also, I have more than one clarinet. It is not very convenient to have to swap a mechanism back and forth between horns. As far as option B in itself, switching the thumbrest between horn would be rather inconvenient, let alone the cost of the thumbrest. I have heard good things, and bad things about this thumbrest, The bad things are lack of convenience, and problems with keeping it in adjustment. I have considered option A on several occaisions, but hesitate to have holes drilled in my new R-13. I have a repair tech that I trust to do a marvelous job, but he still would drill holes, just like the rest of 'em. It is not 100% reversable, and I am worried about how it would affect the value of my instrument. Option C would work, but I have yet to find a thumbrest neckstrap system that is very well made. Aside for these things being able to slip off easily, the attach in what is in my opinion, a bad place on the clarinet. The center of gravity on the clarinet is farther upward, but then again, the mouth is used for support as well. It also seems to work fairly well using the thumb to support the clarinet in that spot, but then again, the thumb wouldn't stretch up to the upper joint. Now, the last one, option D. I have been working on this one a bit. So far, the best thing that I have come up with, is a removable neckstrap ring. I have a couple "experimental prototypes". Both use the part of the lyre that goes on the clarinet, and have parts that screw into that. The first one is a a small brass bar with deep grooves in it that the neckstrap hook fits in. This brass bar is simply screwed into the lyre base, and holds suprisingly well the hook in place. The other, is a large, but shorter brass screw, which clamps down a ring from which the neckstrap attaches. Both of these work quite well, but have an extreme disadvantage of that they must be taken off, and re-attached every time the clarinet is put away. For now though, I think that the brass bar will be my temporary solution. Granted, with this method, it is better for the neckstrap hook to come from side. A good share of the neckstraps do this anyway, so this is not a problem. Also, both of these methods seem to work well in holding th neckstrap hook securely without it slipping off, even when in resting position and there is slack in the neckstrap. The reason that I prefer the bar type, is that it is very easy to put on, and is very compact, about 3/8in x 9/16in. It's made of solid brass, and is actually fairly aesthetically pleasing. Both of these require no screwdriver, and are screwed in place as easily as a ligature. Interesting as these little gadgets may be, I'm not sure how they will pan out long term. I guess I'll just have to use them and find out. They are relatively inexpensive, and can easily be kept with each clarinet case. Nonetheless, I am still trying to decide what to do with the known options. I think that the Kooiman thumbrest is out, as it is just plain too expensive. I'm not sure that I would trust the thumbrest model neckstrap, as all of them I can find seem to be somewhat flimsy. The neckstrap rings may be a bit too permanent for my liking, but if I may have to use a neckstrap from now on while playing my clarinet, so... Hmmm... What to do? Any suggestions? Anyone else with the same problems? I've racked my brain for quite a long time trying to figure out a good solution... I would appreciate any suggestions that you can give. Many thanks. -- Nate Zeien

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