 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2025-09-27 02:04
What products might one place on the thumb rest of a Soprano Clarinet (mine already has a rubber thumb rest cushion) or the tip of one's right thumb to make it "stickier" and make better/less slip contact with the right thumb and thumb rest.
I tried that tube of wax you apply to vision glasses to make them not slip off your nose. It was less than what I was hoping for in its adhesive properties.
I also tried rosin powder like gymnasts use. It's powdered form makes its precision application on to the clarinet difficult.
TIA
Post Edited (2025-09-27 02:06)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2025-09-27 02:36
I cannot say enough about the Protec Clarinet/Oboe thumb rest. There may be a tendency for the thumb pad to slide off the thumb rest but the solution is super glue.
...........Paul Aviles
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2025-09-27 03:23
Thanks Paul:
But I think (I may be wrong) that you've addressed the thumb rest cushion sliding off the thumb rest: which isn't my issue. Sorry if I didn't make that clear.
My thumb rest cushion stays on the factory thumb rest without issue.
It's my thumb staying on the thumb rest cushion that's the issue.
I think I may try this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BQY6KI?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
Post Edited (2025-09-27 03:37)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2025-09-27 19:16
I just thought the cushion is amazing in its no slip "GEL" property (and amazing cushioning) that you should give it a whirl. It is incredibly comfortable. But.... I lost about four in a row running off to gigs because they tend NOT to stay on the thumb rest themselves (they bump off when you're not playing). Still worth a try.
............Paul Aviles
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Author: Fuzzy
Date: 2025-09-28 01:58
A little off-topic perhaps - but does anyone use surgical tubing over their metal thumbrest anymore?
It has always worked for me, so I've kept using it. Effective, lasts for a very long time in my environment, remains grippy...but easy/cheap to swap out should the need arise.
Fuzzy
;^)>>>
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2025-09-28 03:38
The Ridenour is slippery. I have one and found myself filing it to be more "round" because it wasn't all that comfortable either.
I was using the surgical tubing for decades.......up until the ProTec.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: David H. Kinder
Date: 2025-09-28 04:27
Yes, I really liked my ProTec gel thumb rest cushion and left my review on Amazon. The difference between large and small is just the opening for the size of the thumb rest, but they are FAR better than the other rubber thumb rests.
The Ridenour thumb saddle wasn't good for me. Many others swear by them, but I swore AT it. Didn't help my hand position.
I now use a Ton Kooiman Etude 3 thumb rest and I LOVE it! No slip and shifts the weight of the clarinet to a more stable part of my thumb.
The only downside of the Etude 3 is that I can't use a neck strap with it as well. I know there are other hook hoops you can attach, but I don't know where I can get one. Then I'd put one on the upper joint to also help with support.
Ridenour AureA Bb clarinet
Ridenour Homage mouthpiece
Vandoren Optimum Silver ligature (plate 1)
Vandoren Traditional #4 reeds
ATG System, Cordier Reed Trimmer, and A.L.E. Reed Balancer
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2025-09-28 21:23
The Ton Kooiman Etude can quite easily be modified for a strap by drilling a small hole in the rear face of the thumb rest and screwing a small eye screw into it. A dab of araldite will secure it. Slide a key ring onto the hook and attach the strap to that.
Tony F.
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2025-09-28 22:22
Fuzzy wrote:
> A little off-topic perhaps - but does anyone use surgical
> tubing over their metal thumbrest anymore?
>
> It has always worked for me, so I've kept using it. Effective,
> lasts for a very long time in my environment, remains
> grippy...but easy/cheap to swap out should the need arise.
>
> Fuzzy
> ;^)>>>
In High School (which was so long ago it was prior to the invention of indoor plumbing ) I had a lovely chemistry teacher who would give me sections of Bunsen burner rubber tubing that I'd cut with a scissor and slip over the factory thumb rest. 
I'm not sure if Bunsen burner and surgical tubing are one and the same.
Post Edited (2025-09-29 05:23)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2025-09-29 04:04
There were so many different thicknesses and qualities to the tubing. I recall one that was less satisfying worked better once the small section I cut for the thumb rest was inverted. In inside was much "tackier."
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2025-09-29 05:35
Hi All,
I have been using a Ton Kooiman Etude 3 thumb rest for about 6 months, and it is superb. But my need was a little different.
As a doubler, my finger position can get sloppy at times when I switch a lot to the clarinet. My fingers have a tendency to forget that several holes must seal perfectly. But with the Kooiman (which I have modified at places with felt sticky pads) everything is under control.
Hank
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Author: ACCA
Date: 2025-09-29 18:39
+1 for the kooiman etude. I don't use it myself but I bought one for a student with very good results.
I play on a bare metal thumb rest with a bit of cork glued to it which works just fine for me!
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