 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: MGarrison
Date: 2005-02-04 03:16
Hi
Like many clarinetists, I get a sore thumb using a regular "old style", non-adjustable thumb rest. It was so bad I used to have to crack it after playing. For the last 3 years I have had a Kooiman Etude on my clarinet. Quite soon after purchasing, it developed a large crack right across the middle (no point chasing the warranty from Canada so I kept it). Tonight it broke in half.
So my question is, should I replace it with another Etude and live with the poor quality and likelihood it too will break over time, upgrade to the Maestro which costs substantially more, get a neck strap or try something else, like an adjustable thumb rest?
I know everyone is different, and that you can't put a price on saving yourself from RSI or other injuries. I was reasonably happy with the Etude from a comfort standpoint although wondered if the thumb rest had any adverse affect on fingerings.
Any thoughts?
MGarrison
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-02-04 03:35
I'm getting the sore thumb blues myself which is why I've been asking questions about the thumbrests. I believe that's the route I'm going to go. Cheap, and from what I hear, works.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: stebinus
Date: 2005-02-04 17:01
I unscrewed my metal thumb rest, flipped it over and screwed it back on, then I simply put a piece of black, gasoline hose over it. When my thumb gets sore, I rest the clarinet on my knee(first make sure nobody's looking). Also use a strap in performance, which is somewhat restrictive but you sort of get used to it and it's better than pain.
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2005-02-04 17:57
McG,
I've been a Kooiman Maestro user for several years now and think they are wonderful. As you say you can't put a price on comfort when playing.
Stenibus,
I too use the knee method it very often when sitting in the orchestra / chamber scene. Sometimes one knee, sometimes between the knees.
In fact, many of my colleagues do this and I'm sure this is has widespread acceptance. Indeed, this is done both to help fatigue and to positively influence tone colour.
Of course, this is slightly more hazardous if used in solo mode, where this could act to dislocate discs, pull muscles etc
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-02-04 18:17
I don't see why you are reluctant to contact the manufacturer regarding your defective tr. Certainly you can't be the only one who has had this problem.....unless whomever installed it messed up. My standmate had one installed recently and my opinion on looking it over was that the way it is attached to the horn seems rather underengineered. And....where did you ever get the idea that resting the horn on your knee was unacceptable? Yes, I know that some instructors might knock it but that doesn't mean they are right.,,,,,especially if you have a thumb problem. p.s. they say that cracking your fingers is not good.
Bob Draznik
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Author: MGarrison
Date: 2005-02-04 19:25
Hi BobD
The thumb rest was about $30-$40 Canadian, but returning it to the manufacturer would probably cost a good portion of that as they are in the Netherlands, so it didn't seem worth it and at the time, I didn't realize what started as a hairline crack would develop into a big crack and eventually break. The thumb rest only had a 1 year warranty, so by now it is long expired.
The TR wasn't installed incorrectly, in fact the piece that got installed (the base) is still attached to the clarinet, it is the piece that slides on and off (the TR itself) that is broken.
I don't mind resting the clarinet on my knee when playing in band, but when practicing and playing solo I much prefer to stand, in fact I positively "sway" sometimes I find that I am much more able to breathe more openly and play more expressively while standing. Probably not going to break that habit after 22 years.
MGarrison
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2005-02-04 20:23
This may or may not be of any benefit to you, but since sometimes sore thumbs move into sore wrists, i.e. carpal tunnel, an easy thing to try is Vitamin B6. The B vitamins feed the nerves, but apparently #6 is good for healing them. One of my clients told me about it - that her doctor recommended it for her second case of carpal tunnel, so I told my doctor and she was very much in favour of using generous doses for the first short while then smaller amounts for maintenance. I passed on the information to another of my clients who cannot work because of serious nerve damage at work. He said he'd tell his doctor and promised to get back to me with any results.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-02-04 21:49
I'll mention the hairline crack thing to my stand partner so he can watch out for it. So....does the swaying really charm the snakes....LOL. I can see where resting it on one's knee would be a problem in the standing pos.
Well, at the least....if it were me....I would write Kooi since your experience sounds like it was related to a plastic molding problem...(a cold shut).despite the warranty period thing.
Bob Draznik
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Author: ariel3
Date: 2005-02-05 00:04
Hi, I have been using the Kooiman Maestro for two years now with wonderful results. While I did not try the student model first, I must tell you you that the pro model is infinitely adjustable. The maestro comes with two mounting plates so that you can use it on the A horn as well as the B-Flat horn.
However, I could not imagine changing over the thumbrest in addition to the mouthpiece when a fast switch was necessary. Also, the A horn requires a finitely different adjustment. Therefore, I purchased one for each horn. I, for one, consider the cost as a one time event that will save me many dollars and years of frustration years to come.
I hope this helps.
Gene Hall
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Author: MGarrison
Date: 2005-02-05 18:11
Just to let you know that I decided to email Ton Kooiman about the broken thumb rest. He has kindly offered to replace it even though it is out of warranty, so I will be sending him the broken one on Monday.
MGarrison
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Author: woodwind650
Date: 2005-02-05 23:09
I just use a Yamaha thumb cushion. Very nice and very inexpensive. I think it's much squishier than most, thus the nice comfort for my thumb.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2005-02-06 12:26
As a longtime user of BOTH versions produced by TK, I can say that there are substantial differences between devices.
The Maestro has an adjustment period that will require some fiddling about by the user - to get things "right".
The Etude is pretty straight forward by comparison.
The Maestro will require some additional mounting holes that your current thumbrest may not offer - a job for a steady hand.
Properly set up, the Maestro model will offer you to adjust the holding position for best balance and right hand mobility.
I would say that if you liked the Etude, and got three years out of it, you are beyond the warranty provisions, but a telephone call would sort this out best.
The alternatives are cheaper, but the TK offers some benefits that are difficult to forget...
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-02-06 14:47
Stebinus gives you my thots, at least as the first step toward analysis/solution to thumb problems. Most " TR-turners" find some relief from that simple step. The adjustables may not be to your liking for playing or for "lack of maintenance". I recently bot an Omega Selmer with their adj. which is now in my repair-junk box, just wasn't suitable for me ! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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