 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Cindy
Date: 2002-03-10 02:59
I think I'm going to go insane! I can't play clarinet for a while (I'm not sure how long yet) because of an overuse syndrome in my left hand. Considering it hurts to even hold my clarinet, it makes sense, but I'm still going insane!! Okay, I just knew that someone else knows how I feel (unlike my parents) Thanks!
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2002-03-10 14:07
It'll be okay, Cindy!! Maybe it's just your body's way of saying, "Hey, I'll sound better if you give me a break!!" As for the insanity, just remember, it's typically the saner people that go insane.
I think... now I've confused myself!!
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Author: William
Date: 2002-03-10 15:53
Hmm.......only your right thumb and embouchre should be "holding" your clarinet as you play. The only incidental use for the rest of your digits is to occassionally manipulate the random key apperatus presented by your musical impliment to convert random reed noise into music. Seriously, (and more sanely) your left hand should not "hold on" to the clarinet nor support it's weight in any way. The fingers and thumb should only move on and off the keys and tone holes without any perceptable action of your wrist. Perhaps, you are simply sqeezing with too much pressure when you do have you fingers down. Only advice here is, try not to do that. Also, be certain that you are using plenty of "lift" with your right thumb to securely keep the clarinet mpc in your mouth while you play. If all else fails, try using a neck strap or support device for playing--many clarinetist who have severe wrist pain use them with excellant results. Good Clarineting!!!!!
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-03-10 23:00
Hi Cindy - sorry to read of your demise - I hope you're over it soon. Have you tried any of the neck straps - to help your thumb and hands?
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-03-11 13:46
Cindy -
I'm very sorry to hear about your hand problem. It's unusual to have a problem with your left hand, since the right hand is the one that holds the weight of the instrument.
Even if the person who told you to stop playing was a doctor or a physical therapist, it's worthwhile getting a second opinion from someone who specializes in the problems of musicians. I got a lot of help from a physical therapist in New York who works almost exclusively with musicians.
Finally, don't sell your parents short. They're not clarinetists, and their hands aren't hurting, but their hearts are hurting for you, even if that's hard to believe sometimes.
Best regards, from someone your parents' age.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-03-11 19:42
Cindy: I'm currently in a similar situation because of a dental problem but all things pass in time so be patient.
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-03-12 00:40
Yeah Cindy, you wind up getting "false" uppers so you can REALLY play "double lip". Bob A
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2002-03-12 04:04
A kind of thought experiment can be done:
1)Do you think your left hand problem is caused by your arm positions? For example you have to open your arms too wide(if you are physically small) or too narrow(if you are physically big). I was told by my teacher when I was young to set the both cantilevers of upper/lower joints matched exactly with each other. I was small and had to wide open my arms to do this. Therefore, after considering my own difficulty, I rotated the upper joint counterclockwise(looking from me) several degrees to let my arms closer to my body. After a few decades I found that this is a proper way when I talked with a repairman. One thing to note is that I needed a very slight adjustment between the upper/lower joints keys interlocking work by a good repairman.
2)If you use your fingers very 'little', i.e. try to move only the part beyond the first joint, your hands may become stiffened and cause hand problems. Many clarinetists use fingers this way because they think this can make finger movements faster. I thought so too for long time. But there are teachers who teach their students to use their fingers 'big' i.e. try to move all part of fingers nearly including palms.
Several examples of using fingers big can be easily found such as pictures of Reginald Kell or Benny Goodman.
Another teacher says it should be taken into account that each finger has a different mass and inertia and it is ridiculous to set all fingers tips at the same distance from the key hole.
It may be worth trial.
Lest you should have the same problem after you re-start practice,
you may better consider a countermeasure. If you can consult with phyisical therapist, it would be nice.
IMHO.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2002-03-12 04:04
A kind of thought experiment can be done:
1)Do you think your left hand problem is caused by your arm positions? For example you have to open your arms too wide(if you are physically small) or too narrow(if you are physically big). I was told by my teacher when I was young to set the both cantilevers of upper/lower joints matched exactly with each other. I was small and had to wide open my arms to do this. Therefore, after considering my own difficulty, I rotated the upper joint counterclockwise(looking from me) several degrees to let my arms closer to my body. After a few decades I found that this is a proper way when I talked with a repairman. One thing to note is that I needed a very slight adjustment between the upper/lower joints keys interlocking work by a good repairman.
2)If you use your fingers very 'little', i.e. try to move only the part beyond the first joint, your hands may become stiffened and cause hand problems. Many clarinetists use fingers this way because they think this can make finger movements faster. I thought so too for long time. But there are teachers who teach their students to use their fingers 'big' i.e. try to move all part of fingers nearly including palms.
Several examples of using fingers big can be easily found such as pictures of Reginald Kell or Benny Goodman.
Another teacher says it should be taken into account that each finger has a different mass and inertia and it is ridiculous to set all fingers tips at the same distance from the key hole.
It may be worth trial.
Lest you should have the same problem after you re-start practice,
you may better consider a countermeasure. If you can consult with phyisical therapist, it would be nice.
IMHO.
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