 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2003-07-13 00:16
OK fellows, I had my thumbrest inverted in order to raise it. The higher position is fine now, but I should have had it raised properly, with new screw holes drilled. It's quite painful to play the clarinet now because the side of my thumb is rubbing against the base of the thumbrest. Adhesive tape over the offending bump would help enormously but it's not good for the wood. A bandage on my thumb helps but keeps shifting. I'm kicking myself for not thinking of this and just have it done right the in the first place.
I'm wondering why this painful problem wasn't mentioned in previous posts when mention is made of how to raise the thumbrest. Not even the technician mentioned this rather obvious drawback. Do people actually use their thumbrest this way?
I have tried the Koiman adjustable thumbrest and really didn't like it, so will eventually have a skilled repairman do a proper job for me.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2003-07-13 01:29
Hi Brenda,
I have always used a rubber thumb rest "cover" which you can get for anywhere from a $1 to $3. Some of these are pretty thick and should solve your problem. ![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif)
HRL
Post Edited (2003-07-16 01:21)
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Author: msroboto
Date: 2003-07-13 01:34
I think that when people talk about inverting the thumbrest typically they mean to invert the newer adjustable type thumbrests.
This can be done easily by loosening the screw and turning it over.
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Author: DezzaG
Date: 2003-07-13 02:10
No, we mean to invert normal thumbrests and put a cusion over it, I like the cheap $3 cusions as the are foam, not rubber, seems to be more squishy!
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Author: Benni
Date: 2003-07-13 02:43
I have a regular, right-side-up thumbrest, but I would like to point out that those foam pencil grips make wonderful cushions! Cheap, comfortable, and you can cut each one into three pieces.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-07-13 02:44
If I'm getting you correctly, you took a non adjustabel thumbrest, and simply put it on upside down. So not the little bevel in the thumbrest is facing up AWAY from your thumb. I tried it and it didn't work for me. But if you don't like the kooiman (which is surprising since they seem to be the rage), just go to a repair shop and get those holes redrilled. Someone also told me that the thumb rests for English Horn fit well and are very comfortable.
Alexi
PS - Do people actually use it this way? Yup. I do. Never touched mine. As a matter of fact, I tried it inverted since my teacher said to try it, but it gave me a lot of pain in my hand. Guess I'm just used to the "messed up" way!
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-07-13 11:19
I have seen the adaption in my workshop and found it to be very uncomfortable, digging into the soft part of the thumb was noticeable. I don't see how lifting the thumb position actually helps on beginner clarinets.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-07-13 13:45
Not all stationary thumbrests are designed identically
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2003-07-13 14:14
Simply:
Take your existing thumb rest off by removing the two set screws.
Go to a competent repairperson, have than that person drill two new holes where ever your thumb comfortably touches the back of your clarinet, so that the thumb rest can support the instrument at that new spot. Try out a few spots first, after the thumb rest has been removed (the repairperson should have some strong glue that will work temporarily). When you've found a comfortable spot, then have the new holes drilled. There is no need to turn it upside-down.
I've been doing this with my students clarinets, and my own, for over 20 years, and it works just fine.
BTW I recommend the "Dutch" model Loree (oboe/EH) thumb rest, as it the best design for the higher position.
Good luck, a sore thumb is no fun,
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2003-07-13 16:14
Well I'm glad to hear that others have faced the same thing. I'll go ahead and get new holes drilled so the thumbrest can be raised without having to keep it inverted.
A long time ago my teacher gave me a little slice of a rubber hose that fits on the thumbrest to provide padding, and it works beautifully. I saw that the repair shop sold something similar - a whole bowl full of them. Simple things usually do the best job.
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Author: Burt
Date: 2003-07-13 16:55
I had the thumbrest on my Bb raised 3/8" by having new holes drilled. It reduces the strain on the thumb joints. On my A clarinet (which I may decide to sell), I didn't want to hurt marketability, so I had my thumbrest replaced with a Buffet R13 thumbrest which can be adjusted to the original position as well as 3/8" higher.
The only problem I've had is the thumbrest loosening due to the technician drilling too large a pilot hole (better than too small a pilot hole and splitting the wood).
The problem of the thumbrest irritating the skin (vs the joint) can be addressed by using any soft material such as what Benni described, but I have not done that.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2003-07-13 19:13
It is also possible to have a metal plate made which will fit on the clarinet on which the repair person can soft solder the old thumb rest in a higher position, drill holes in the plate, and use the original mounting holes in the clarinet. This will avoid drilling nasty holes in your fine clarinet. I found that this worked great but later returned to the original thumbrest in its original position because the problem went away.
It may help to think of rotating the right hand counterclockwise which could lower the thumb on the clarinet. Daily calisthenics with weights can also help one cope with thumb situations. Good luck!
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Author: DezzaG
Date: 2003-07-14 00:30
Again, I recommend the Kooiman thumbrests for people, you dont need new holes drilled(withe the etude model, only $20 or so) and it is adjustable to fit nearly any shape and size of hand. I teach so many beginners and this helps SO much in learning the clarinet!
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Author: chicagoclar
Date: 2003-07-15 07:34
I have actually flipped the thumbrest over for several of my students. I have them get a cushion of some sort, and it has helped all of them a lot. One of my students liked it so much that when she got her new clarinet, she flipped the thumb rest over before she even came to see me. I find that the higher thumb position makes for less tension and strain (especially on the wrist) and since I have battled with tendonitis and CTS myself, I do whatever I can to avoid the situation with my students.
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2003-07-15 12:22
Since having the thumbrest switched around, and not yet getting around to taking my clarinet to a proper technician yet to get it screwed in properly, my thumb is building up a callus and it's more comfortable now. That's just from being stubborn and playing in spite of the pain.
The higher positioning of the thumb is very helpful, it relieves the strain on the rest of the hand.
I'm wondering what you all mean when you say that a cushion would help. I've had a cushion for the thumbrest for a long time and I find it vital! But this doesn't address the problem of the base of the thumbrest sticking out right where you have to support the instrument. The thumbrest was designed to be sitting the other direction so that the base is screwed in ABOVE the rest, where your thumb won't be in contact with it. This was my complaint, and why I didn't think of this possibility happening is beyond me - just not thinking at the time. Oh well, I'm getting used to it, but will correct it in time. Meanwhile the rest of my hand is enjoying the improved position.
I found the Kooiman adjustable rest to be unusable in my case, but there are other adjustable rests available. One member of our clarinet choir has smaller version that I should inquire about.
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2003-07-15 15:27
Brenda:
I've been playing with my TR flipped now for about 2 months. I will eventually get to my tech to have it permanently set higher. Until then, yes the mounting plate of the TR is uncomfortable but as my callous grows it becomes less of an issue! {: )}
I also did not like the Kooiman Etude.
MOO,
Matt
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Author: Todd W.
Date: 2003-07-15 21:42
Brenda --
I, too, flipped the thumb rest on one of my clarinets and like you have not yet had a tech redrill the holes. What I use in the meantime to help save my thumb is a rubber thumb cover "thingie" which I can never remember the name of, but which I purchased at one of the office supply stores. Accountants (for example) would use them to more easily flip through documents. They come in various sizes, about a dozen in a small box.
(If you get one, and you have silver plated keys on your clarinet, remember not to keep the thumb cover in the clarinet case, as it can cause tarnish.)
Todd W.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-07-15 22:16
A short-term fix...
You could take the thumbrest off your instrument,
Use a bench vise to flatten the curve.
Cover the thumbrest with a piece of surgical tubing.
*YES IT WILL HAVE LATEX*
The idea of the Kooiman, and other adjustable thumbrests is to oppose the index finger and the thumb more directly, sort of the way most will naturally hold a pencil.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-07-15 22:34
I know what you mean about the BASE of the thumbrest hurting your thumb. It's not the cruved part hurting it, it's the right angle part that's actually screwed into the clarinet. I can think of two ways to approach it . . .
1) Build up a callous. Just like when a person first starts playing guitar, it'll hurt. But callouses will eventually form, and eventually it won't hurt anymore.
2) Go get your thumbrest re-drilled and simply flip it around so it's facing the CORRECT direction, but get the holes drilled higher on your clarinet so you can screw it in in a higher position.
I'd suggest number two.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: DezzaG
Date: 2003-07-16 05:35
Another good thing about the Kooiman is where it places the weight, on your first joint of the thumb, not the second, plus there is so much more contact, disperses the weight more and it is comfy plastic(the etude).
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2003-07-16 12:39
So how do those who like the Etude deal with the torque caused by no longer having the contact point in line with the clarinet? For me it was an issue primarily in the "few-fingered" notes.
Matt
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-07-16 13:54
Since I have offered my opinions regarding thumbrest problems and solutions for years, [GBK, please track down a few {of my and others} OLD thread/posts on this] I'll jump into the hot water again. I believe I proposed the inversion as a TRIAL of a higher-located TR, for the purpose of improved utilization of the God-given "PINCH" characteristic of our hands, [as S B clearly points out] for better holding and key-actuation [the rt hand little finger for the E/B in particular] of our clarinets. IMHO, its a prelude-research for re-location or an adjustable solution. Yes, a number of our posters seem to use it for such, I also am dilatory deciding on a final solution!! Yes, it may be uncomfortable without a tube or foam "cushion" and yes also to the attachment base. If the tiny screw slot is damaged by my tinkering, I just file off the turned edge, and may use a piece of black tape as a "smoothing" cover, it has drawbacks too. The business of drilling new holes needs be left to repairer-pros, since no one should drill thru to the bore!!! Gone on at length again, haven't I, Mark-GBK?? Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-07-16 23:13
Yes, drilling holes in your clarinet is not a job for your Saturday Toolman. And if you do attempt it you'll discover that all thumb rests don't have the same hole spacing and etc etc. Personally, I abhor the idea of drilling holes in a good clarinet just for a thumb rest. Better to use the existing holes and adjust the holes in the T.R. or fixture it.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-07-17 03:00
TKS, GBK, We sure have discussed TR's up and down, haven't we?? Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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