 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2002-07-02 03:25
I tend to get some inflammation in my left arm when I play my bass clarinet, and I'm looking for solutions. I think lowering the instrument would put my arm at a more neutral angle. Have any of you noticed whether switching to a re-angled neck allowed you to lower the instrument? If so, about how much? I've extended 3 of the left pinky keys, which made a huge improvement, and I think there is more that can be done by focusing upon position of arm and relaxation. Do you have any other observations?
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-07-02 07:33
Ken - how big are you? Seemingly silly question, but if you're a really little person - then a bass clarinet might prove very ackward. I'm 6 foot 1 - and never had any problems with the bass clarinet - except for knee-capping a few of my band colleagues in careless moments (whilst marching, that is).
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Author: javier garcia
Date: 2002-07-02 13:10
What neck-strap do you use? may be the simple neck-strap makes stress to your neck that is transmissed to your arm.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-07-02 13:55
I have had some arm-fatigue over the years, as I began playing more bass cl than Bb, and some alto. My solution, being relatively small [height and hands] has been, for rt hand, raising most thumbrests [by inversion-savers], picking reasonable "reach" horns, and for both hands-arms, using bass peg AND 2 hook neckstraps, and adjusting the "playing angle" to "comfortable" , between my knees! Suggest trying several configurations. Don
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Author: William
Date: 2002-07-02 15:28
Inflammation??? Sounds more like a medical condition than one of positioning stress. My muscles often become sore, but never become inflammed. After trying more of the "positioning" and support remedies you will get on this post, perhaps an application of Ben Gay or a trip to your "doc" will help. Play well and stay well.
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Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2002-07-03 01:04
Thank you all for your interest!
The discomfort is about 1/3rd of the way down the left forearm, on the
outer side of the arm. It is definitely related to the extension of the
little finger for the pinky keys, but also affected by the angle of the
forearm. I think I'm going to have the alternate Eb key slightly modified,
because there is a potential improvement that I see there. However, I
haven't been relying on that key, so I can't blame it for my discomfort.
I am interested in finding out if people who go to a re-angled neck find
that they use less floor peg extension, and if so, how much, because that
would be information I could consider as regards the position of the arm and
horn.
My height is 6' 1", and my arm was already injured from machinist work before I ever began to play bass clarinet. I am seeing a doctor and physical therapist, and I think I can solve this problem. It will just take some figuring out.
I do use a neckstrap with two hooks, as well as the floor peg, and on the whole, find the horn very comfortable to play--except for the left forearm. I am impressed generally, with how little clarinet manufacturers know about ergonomics. One needs only consider the location of the thumbrest to know the extent of their willful ignorance!
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2002-07-04 11:42
I didnt think there were enough notes played on the bass clarinet to cause repetitve injury!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-07-04 17:18
Mark Pinner wrote:
>
> I didnt think there were enough notes played on the bass
> clarinet to cause repetitve injury!
Ah, but those notes that are played are repetitive enough ...
;^)
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