 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: fredackerman
Date: 2004-02-13 05:09
I'm sitting in my hotel room looking out at New Yorks Central Park, quite a beautiful site...thinking about Thumb Rests! I admit to one or maybe two drinks ( I think). While running around the web, I found the Ton Kooiman site and his Maestro rest looks real "kool". So, to those of you that use the Maestro, how do you like the way it holds ya thumb! Does it live up to your expectations? I do feel uncomfortable while playing my Selmer BT. I'm suppose to get together [telephone] with John Butler to discuss my new/old Leblanc overhaul next week and I see that you can use this device with two horns. Is it easy to move this rest from one Clarinet to another? Is there much adjusting? Will it all still fit in my case? I'm flying back with American Airlines this weekend, hope I get a somewhat normal pilot...
Fred
Post Edited (2004-02-13 22:39)
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2004-02-13 06:58
I've been looking at Tom's thumbrests for a while too and am asking (mostly...) the same questions are you are.
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Author: Alphie
Date: 2004-02-13 09:28
Being where you are at the moment, the last thing I would think about would be thumb rests.
A geek is a geek is a geek. ![[grin]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie5.gif)
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2004-02-13 10:28
So, have any of these models been improved to stop the breaking and issues with the screws? Does ANYONE use the 'pro' model?
One more silly, annoying, but IMPORTANT question: *Where* do you oder these from?
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-02-13 12:21
I have one of each TK thumbrests, the expensive gizmo on my Opus and the lightweight, plastic version on my TR147 (the horn what gits played)...
The Metal version has far more articulation to it, and will be a while in setting up properly, but it is VERY solid when properly installled.
You will need new screw holes drilled for the mounting plate, and I used a little super glue as well (a little goes a long way).
The plastic variant really works, but has limits to adjustment.
No need to drill new screw holes for the mounting plate, although I would recommend using super glue for this one, as well.
*****
I found the point of contact for the tip of my right thumb to be slick on both versions, and applied a little foam from Dr. Scholl's (adhesive on one side) to keep things snug.
It takes some accomodation in the first three weeks, but these have managed to eliminate my wrist pain.
Start with the cheap version, to see if you like it.
If not, the claricord strap is a viable option.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-02-13 12:38
Others have mentioned drilling extra holes. It is designed to work with two screws, but there's no reason you can't put in four and still attach it. Or all six if you really want to be sure. That'll be sure to alleviate screw problems.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: msroboto
Date: 2004-02-13 12:50
I used the plastic model for a while. It did help my thumb problems. I had issues with the screws fitting in my R-13. Eventually it became such a pain that I had the old thumbrest put back on and moved up a bit and I have been happy and pain free ever since.
I am not sure that I was getting the leverage I needed with the TK thumbreset.
I would do it again though even though I'm not using it now because I was in such pain that I could not have played otherwise.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-02-13 20:45
"Hello Plaza? If it's not a thumb position, I would like my customary suite for the weekend... my neice and I need some digital time this Saturday."
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Author: fredackerman
Date: 2004-02-13 23:04
Nope, not the Plaza, I'm across the street at the Sherry Netherland. Thank you for your comments, "Colonel Mustard"! I guess John Butler will help with this, I'm sure he's either installed them or has knowledge of it. Oh, I'm not really a geek, but I take it as a compliment.. Alexi, thank's for the links!
Fred
Post Edited (2004-02-13 23:06)
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Author: donald
Date: 2004-02-14 07:26
i know one professional player who uses a Kooiman thumb-rest (the expensive one), i play 2nd to him a couple of times a year and have never heard him complain of any problems with it. His technique is awesome- he did claim that the thumb-rest seemed to free up the action in his right hand fingers.
that's all i know about this topic.
donald
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2004-02-15 19:11
Fred,
To answer some of your orig Q's.
1) yes I like it
2) very comfortable and when adjusted correctly to suit the anatomy I don't find it in any way unusual. I don't find it restricts RH movement to trill keys (as do some)
3) Yes it's very easy to move from one clarinet to the other, but you have to have a baseplate installed on each instrument. Now, two issues here ;
a) as Bb and A clars might demand different finger positions on would have to address each baseplate position separately and adjust to suit.
b) If you are an orchestral player, quick changes of mouthpiece alone between BB and A can be difficult for some pieces. Add that to fumbling to change a thumbrest also then you've got a disaster brewing.
My solution albeit expensive, was to have one for each clarinet and I have not regretted the expense at all. Let's face it, if your clarinets cost a few thou , and if you like the TK Maestro, don't skimp on the support mechanism. I'm well aware there are cheaper alternatives but if you admire good engineering coupled with great function - this might be for you. It comes supplied with two allan keys so that if can adjust it for the future.
4) regarding storage in your case, the TK slips off easily every time and fits into any case - my double accommodates them without any trouble.
There is quite a thread on TK here, with some interesting views.
I think they're great and have helped me overcome RSI and allowed me to concentrate on the music instead of combatting pain and fatigue.
One of the many causes of "tennis elbow" is a racquet grip that is too narrow. Thickening it can reduce the problem markedly. The TK does this for the clarinet.
Hope this answers most of your original questions.
BobT
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Author: john gibson
Date: 2004-02-15 23:37
Fred...
There's entirely too much discussion about thumb-rests ...ligatures.....reeds...MPCs.....
Never heard Artie..or Benny complain about thumb pain...lip troubles..etc...
Just play man....play....you want to be a musician?....be a musician!....quit your belly-achin'.....life ain't easy.......makin' money playin' music is even harder....then again....why are you playin' music.....?????????? You want to advance the genre?.....make money?....find new means of expression??
Or are you lookin' for the best reed? Mpc? Lig? Musicians are looking for the best people to play with......reeds, MPCs, ligs, accessory cases, whatever are secondary to "partners" that KNOW what the h*ll music is about or will be about once the baton has "dropped"....
JG
PS .......FEEL......THE MUSIC
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2004-02-16 17:49
So John,
In full agreement about the holy grail syndrome, but what would be your solution for lip trauma and tennis elbow when playing - forget it and play on with really good players ? Constant pain is a killer of musical expression and technique plus, you stop hearing what's going on around you as you combat the malady. Surely a solution has to be grasped if there's one available.
BobT (who came with a bit of baggage but found solutions)
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Author: fredackerman
Date: 2004-02-18 05:05
Hey John, So what questions do you want us to talk about on this board? I for one don't think "equipment" is inconsequential. While searching the BB database "equipment" does seem to come up quite often, I guess this was all a waste of time on the members part. Did you really know "Artie" and "Benny" personally? You seem to have special knowledge about them, please share! BTW, after a quick search of this board, I see that you're one of the members who also wasted his/her time!
Fred
Post Edited (2004-02-18 05:17)
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Author: billryan
Date: 2004-02-18 20:35
I'm terribly disappointed in reading johns view of this forum. When a bunch of us (music students) get together at a watering hole near lincoln center, the conversation always includes mouthpieces/ligatures/reeds/clarinets and saxes, you name the part, we talk about it. We compare notes and get help from each other. This is the stuff that we use everyday and we don't want to spend our money foolishly. I thought this board was suppose to include all of that plus, in the general discussion. Sure we play and practice till our heads explode, but talking about our horns etc. is very important to us. This forum helped me with my clarinet selection and a repair problem, you guys saved me much time and trouble. After reading that other post which brought out that johns a hypocrite, I feel better about the forum. So is it still ok to ask questions about our stuff? Or is john going to go postal on us? Time to practice
Bill
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2004-02-18 21:07
billryan wrote:
> So is it still ok to ask questions about our stuff?
John doesn't run the forum, but he's as welcome to his views as everyone else.
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