 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ronish
Date: 2008-01-25 08:09
I rest the bell of my clarinet on my knees while seated because my arms get tired but I notice a neck strap is available for the clarinet. I didn`t know this. There are eyes to hook onto for my saxes but I see nothing on the clarinet.
I was about to post this but checked on past neck strap posts. It seems a not very popular gizmo.
Do other players knee rest their clarinets? I have long arms and it sits fine but is this a bad position? Russ
Post Edited (2008-01-25 08:27)
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Author: Darktide
Date: 2008-01-25 08:46
for most people this would create bad posture. I wouldn't find it comfortable nor would I find a neck strap comfortable. I'd be afraid to bump my clarinet into my mouth if it was on my knees because I enjoy keeping the beat with my foot as well as in my head.
Jay
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2008-01-25 11:17
A minority of players use straps due to thumb/hand fatigue etc. I hear the BG version is pretty good. They are made to slip over the thumbrest. No "eyes" necessary.
..........Paul Aviles
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Author: buedsma
Date: 2008-01-25 11:46
i use the neckstrap ( from BG ) all the time, because the selmer 10SII is a very heavy clarinet , compared to my previous ones .
It really helps to avoid injury, and makes for more stability when switching to an d from side E/B flat ( trill keys ) and in the throat tones.
They provide leather straps to hook over the thumbrest in case you don't have anything on your clarinet that can serve as an eye :-)
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-01-25 12:10
Having tried several, I must also suggest the BG strap as being the best.
It does not need any posts drilled.
This product is doing so well that it is frequently out of stock in many stores.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Tim P
Date: 2008-01-25 12:31
as far the "eye" on your clarinet:
my LeBlanc Sonata has an adjustable thumb rest that has an eye. works fine with neckstrap. I may be possible to find one of these and install it on your clarinet.
I have seen little adapter straps. a small piece of leather or suitable material with a slot cut in it that slips over the existing thumbrest. and then hole or grommet for the Hook of the strap to go it. this could be made easily.
i use a strap and find it OK. i give up some freedom of movement but I adjust it such that it assisting more the 100% support. At any time I can relax the right hand and not fear the clarinet is going to crash to the floor.
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Author: Neal Raskin
Date: 2008-01-25 12:37
a strap is a very good option if your right shoulder/wrist/hand/tendons get sore or start to tingle for this is the start of tendonitis. we lost 2 clarinet players this year at my college due to this. now as soon as one of us feels a tinge in our arms, my professor suggests a neckstrap. it removes a lot of the weight from your right arm so your fingers don't have to be so tense when playing. also, think about how much pressure you are using to push down your keys. it shouldn't take much. just enough to get the ring down and your finger over the tone hole. practice using very little pressure on low notes E, F(#), G(#), A etc. practice slow. train your hands to be relaxed. This will definitely help remove tension and pain in your arm.
If pain is ever a problem in your arm, stop playing and seek medical attention immediately. without treatment and rest, this could develop into a lifelong battle of tendonitis.
*I also use a neckstrap. Works great.*
Best wishes,
Neal
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Author: rob v.
Date: 2008-01-25 12:53
My question is in regards to the bass clarinet.
I hate using a next strap and feel that a guitar foot stool is necessary to hold the clarinet. However, my head director believes that our students should play like professionals and they don't have guitar stools.
I’m very much into thinking that professionals use either a peg, or a guitar foot stool, not a neck strap except for stability.
For any of you professional bass clarinetists out there without a peg, do you use a guitar foot stool or a neck strap?
Rob V.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2008-01-25 15:32
I bought a BG elastic clarinet neck strap at the urging of Prof Jim Gillespie at ClarinetFest last summer. It has completely eliminated my right hand "carpal tunnel" syndrome. I also use the elastic strap to encourage myself to take more mouthpiece to improve my tone and the horn's responsiveness.
BUT, my teacher is concerned that I'm allowing the strap tension to pull the clarinet down, binding the reed against my lower lip and constricting my tone.
He is a symphony pro and normally rests the bell of his clarinet at his knees while seated --else hard days of practice leave him with a sore right arm.
SO, I'm focused on finding and holding the clarinet at a good angle for tone quality.
I think you should try it out.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Brent
Date: 2008-01-25 16:00
If you can sit with good posture and play with the bell of the clarinet resting on your knees, and the low E and middle B are not muffled by your legs or clothing, there is nothing wrong with playing that way. I saw Richard Waller play one of the Weber concerti with the Cincinnati Symphony (when he was still principal) sitting down with the bell on his knees.
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2008-01-25 16:06
I use a regular neckstrap - Hyman and purchased an O ring seal (like for faucets) for about $0.25. you can get them stretchy or more solid.
I then put one end of the loop on the neckstrap (it's big enough where it does not fall off) and the other end on the closest part to the body over the thumb hook. It does not interfere with my thumb and kinda slots in there in the thinner part of the thumbrest.
works pretty good for cheapo cost. And since I see alot of different clarinets it works with most thumbrests.
==========
Stephen Sklar
My YouTube Channel of Clarinet Information
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-01-25 16:12
An addition and an answer to bass clarinet question.
I use the BG neckstrap, but I also have an extender (imagine an inverted lyre with an o-ring on it) that changes the angle at which the neckstrap exerts its' support. BG offers an extender like this, and I think that it should be used in conjunction (FWIW).
Rob V.: I insist that my bass students use BOTH the neckstrap and the appropriate ground interface...preferably the peg because it can be set to exactly the right height for user.
The neckstrap allows you much greater security in crossing registers, especially if you have to do so with great speed and rapidity (Daphnes & Chloe, for example).
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2008-01-25 16:30
Resting clarinet on knees, or between knees is a bad idea because it muffles tone, flattens the long tube notes and increases resistance. Resting the bell on one knee seems to do none of the above, and is done by many notable clarinetists. I've tried to use a neckstrap with clarinet and basset horn; just can't get comfortable with the rigidity of angle that it enforces.
Some of my students who I've advised to rest the clarinet on one knee have told me that their school band directors have castigated them for doing it. How does one choose between disapprobation and muscular-skeletal damage?
Post Edited (2008-01-25 17:14)
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-01-25 17:13
I wonder, Larry, if the band directors themselves are clarinetists and (whether or not) if they are trying to inhibit the clarinetists from developing the habit of playing out of the center of their mouths.
Generally speaking, I think that if the student in question is studying with a respected clarinetist (such as yourself) that the band director would have the common sense to relinquish such a position.
I have enjoyed in the past several years disspelling fundamental myths within the music programs with which I work...collaborating with strong but not tryannical music educators.
There are some band directors that can't recognize that the private instructor simply knows more about their instrument (and they better, or why should the student study with them?).
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2008-01-25 17:17
Rob:
Can you get a peg installed on your bass?
As far as pros, I imagine the vast majority have basses with pegs, and ones that have a bass without a peg likely very quickly acquire one with.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2008-01-25 17:45
I agree with Alex, my most comfortable BC inst. "positioning" is that the weight is on the peg, and I have a 2 hook neck strap for "security". Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-01-25 18:40
Oh, well now, Don and I are in for a BIG disagreement:
I use a neckstrap with ONE hook, and I'm certain that my fingers are quicker because of it!
(kidding)
J
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Chelle
Date: 2008-01-25 19:36
As far as bass goes, I am by no means a professional, but I've always used only a neck strap (one hook & lots of neck padding). I can't stand using pegs because, for me, it puts the instrument and an uncomfortable angle. Plus I don't like being stuck in one spot. The neck strap supports some of the weight and my thumb/hand supports some (I can generally rest my forearm on my leg so my arm really doesn't really get all that tired),
But that's just me.
-Chelle
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Author: kilo
Date: 2008-01-25 19:43
One terribly tragic consequence of resting the bell on your knee — you can't participate in marching band!
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-01-25 19:47
It will be interesting to hear Larry's opinion...being the most accomplished pro in the conversation so far...
James
Gnothi Seauton
Post Edited (2008-01-25 19:48)
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2008-01-25 20:26
Aw shucks, Tobin/James -- I assume your question refers to bass clarinet, not marching band.
I use a sharpened end pin on bass clarinet -- no neck strap. In as much as just about all of the currently manufactured bass clarinets have a totally inadequate thumb rest (instead of a thumb hook -- like the vintage Buffets) I recommend the use of a single hook neck strap in addition to the peg. The rationale for the double hook strap seems to have been to keep the lower joint from separating (when used sans end pin); it is now redundant seeing that just about every bass clarinet now comes with provision for an end pin.
Many years ago I had a local brass technician make up some nice thumb hooks modeled after the old Buffet ones. They found there way into the hands (digits) of many of my students and friends -- sadly they are all gone now.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-01-25 21:57
Generally...it is good posture that allows the neckstrap to work so effectively.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Liam Murphy
Date: 2008-01-25 22:34
There are quite a few players in this world who use neck straps. I tried, but I ended up abandoning the idea and living with a permanently "fatter" right thumb. In retrospect, it probably would have been more healthy for me to have occasionally employed the use of a neck strap.
I have heard of people contracting tendonitis and carpal tunnel from too much clarinet playing, sans neck strap. If the pain is bad maybe you should consult your teacher.
Good luck,
-Liam
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-01-25 22:54
Liam hits it on the head...if you need it, you need it. If you don't, you don't.
And this isn't a debate of whether you should or not...Russ is asking do YOU rest the clarinet on your knee and/or do you use a neckstrap.
Russ...I didn't answer the question...I do both, depending on what's going on in my playing.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Ronish
Date: 2008-01-26 07:42
Well did my post ever open "something". No I have no pain whatsoever. It`s just that I know my arm is going to grt tired if I hold it up high. 45deg + , like I see many players do. I don`t use a strap because I don`t have one. All of my 3 are sax straps.
Resting the clarinet on my knees just seems to make the whole system, with my fingers flying around, more secure. It does have the problem as somebody said of stopping the foot beat but I`m trying to keep this just to one of my toes.
Maybe there is some muffling of sound (altho` I have`nt noticed it). But who cares, at 75, I`m not holding my breath waiting for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra to call me up to play 1st. clarinet with them.
Thanks all for your contributions. Russ
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2008-01-26 13:15
Dear Rob V.
I think your concern has been answered but just to reiterate, the bell of the bass clarinet should NOT rest directly on the floor for purpuses of sound production. And because there is NO adjustment of height possible for the player (even if there is a scenario where it DOES match, it won't in a different chair.......at your next venue!!!).
So, have a peg and if the player is too short for the lowest possible adjustment of the peg (bell about 1/4 inch off the floor) then you just need a higher chair (this is why Wenger makes a variety of heights for their chairs!!)
The neck strap is good for stability on OPEN notes (first space "F" and second line "G"). Quite frankly there are whole performances where I even forget to use one! But they are a good idea.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: Markael
Date: 2008-01-26 16:19
With my Bb I use a BG neckstrap, and have for some time. Within the last six or eight months it has become a necessity, because I have developed problems with my thumb--probably arthritis or tendonitis. (My doctor looked at it but did not give an absolute diagnosis.)
Anyway, I could not use the extender ring on my Selmer 10 without some adaptation. The ring gets in the way of the alternate C key.
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Author: skennedy
Date: 2008-01-27 00:22
Another cheap way to try using a neck strap is to get a short length of fishing line or unwaxed dental floss; tie a knot; make a figure eight and place it over the standard thumb rest. The neck strap will attach nicely. The only problem I have found is that the player must get used to having the left thumb occasionally strike the strap. This helps especially if you often use the A clarinet.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2008-01-27 01:59
Go for the neckstrap. As Paul Aviles said above, the BG one slips right over the stock thumbrest. I have one, and use it for any sit down gigs. It relieves pressure on my thumb and keeps the clarinet from moving around in my embouchure at all. Also makes that thumb F/C really easy to hold the clarinet during. Go for it.
It's a small price to pay and it does feel comfortable. Sure a sax is heavier and therefore more acceptable for a neckstrap, but I say if it can make your life a little easier and it doesn't hurt performance, go for it.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2008-01-27 06:16
Rob V
I assume you are talking about playing bass clarinet when sitting. In that case I always use a peg and no strap. Most others that I see also use only a peg. I don't have any problems with the open notes without the strap. You can use a strap too and there is nothing wrong with that. I think the neck angle on your bass clarinet will also make a difference whther you will like a neck strap or not.
Larry Bocaner's advice is good too, but I am not sure what he means by "a totally inadequate thumb rest" because I don't have any problems with the one on my new bass clarinet.
I agree with Paul Aviles about the height will be different etc. if putting the instrument directly on the bell, but I totally disagree that is will have problems with "sound production", based on trying it and hearing others do it.
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Author: robertgh
Date: 2008-01-27 16:01
<<Doesn't Morales use a neckstrap?>>
I've often seen him using one during performances with Philly O.
Post Edited (2008-01-27 16:02)
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