 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Pathik
Date: 2006-01-05 19:13
I've bought a new Ton Kooiman Etude thumb rest for my Buffet E11, and gathered enough courage to try to fit it today. However, the screws that came with the new one are quite a bit longer and wider (relatively speaking) than the screws for the original thumb rest, so I haven't dared to use them (yet). I used the old screws instead, and it seems to hold, but might not be ideal.....? Does anyone have any experience fitting this thumbrest on a Buffet clarinet using the slightly larger screws that come with it? Is it safe to use them? The last thing I want is to do any damage to my clarinet. Tried the new thumbrest just now and it feels....very different, but hopefully a change for the better in the long run. Can't wait to get into playing properly again.....after two weeks off due to right thumb/hand/arm pain!
Pathik
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Author: Steve B.
Date: 2006-01-05 19:29
I would stongly recommend you take the clarinet to a professional and
have the thumb rest fitted properly. A good repair person should have an assortment of screws that are the right length.
If you use the original screws and they are short, you run the risk of stripping the original holes. If you try to use screws that are too long, you run the risk of cracking the wood or damaging the bore.
Get it done right.
Regards,
Steve
Post Edited (2006-01-05 19:30)
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Author: charlie_star_uk
Date: 2006-01-05 20:19
hi. yes i have this thumb rest and realised the same thing but took it to a professional who made the holes a bit bigger.....
is the etude the plastic one or the metal one? if the metal one then spend a long time getting the position right.... but even if the plastic one then keep adjusting it as you practise til you don't notice it!
another bit of advice if it is the plastic one is to have a spare!! mine snapped twice in the green room before gigs!
an amazing bit of kit if adjusted correctly...have fun!!
charlie
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-01-05 20:20
I was wondering about the durability of the Etude (plastic one).
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Author: charlie_star_uk
Date: 2006-01-05 20:24
i think over 3 years of heavy playing it broke twice....... then i bought the metal one as i realised i would save money eventually!!!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-01-05 20:31
How easy is this to attach/remove each time?
And does the plate (or whatever part) that's attached to the body joint (I assume that's how it's fitted) make things a bit squished when it's back in it's case?
I'm thinking of getting some of these myself, but as I've only got a lightweight Gewa double case for my oboe and cor I don't want them getting damaged while in the case.
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Author: charlie_star_uk
Date: 2006-01-05 20:32
it's such a thin plate that it causes absolutely no problems going in a case..
the thumb rest slides of the plate, again with no problems..
charlie
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2006-01-05 21:45
Use a wee bit of glue (I used a 5 minute epoxy) to hold the plate in place.
If you enlarge the holes on <i>the plate</i>, the original screws will have more purchase. Combined with some glue, the plate will be quite solid.
I put a little foam rubber (from the Pharmacy, footcare section) inside the curve where the thumb rides - VERY comfortable, and easy to refit.
The removable portion of the thumbrest fits in my bell, safely.
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Author: Pathik
Date: 2006-01-06 04:11
Thanks very much for your input. Well, I've already put it on now, using the old screws, so I hope I haven't done any damage......but this new thumbrest feels so strange! I don't know if I'll be able to get used to it. It's the cheaper Etude model by the way, and because the plastic bit that sticks out on the right can't be adjusted other than sliding it down the back plate, I don't seem to be able to find a position that actually gives proper support for my thumb, so after one short practice session it feels.....like maybe more of a strain (especially on my arm) than the good old standard thumb rest. It's like I am struggling to find a new position altogether for my hand, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to do that.....awkward......like trying to unlearn something that's rather ingrained by now. Is this just because it's so different and I'm not used to it? I'm rather frustrated by it at this point, and I'm even considering getting the Maestro model, although it is rather expensive. I do NOT want to give up playing the clarinet, which I love doing more than anything else, so I'm going to have to find a solution to this......
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-01-06 05:20
I find slings awkward to use (Claricord, BG etc.), and playing full Boehms (as well as oboe/cor and straight soprano sax) there's more strain on the right thumb. I'm used to playing saxes in which the weight is mostly taken on the sling, only when standing the right thumb has to work.
But at the moment I'm managing ok on clarinet, the squishy thumbrest cushion does help to stop the thumbrest digging in.
There are various supports and telescopic rests that attach to the clarinet and rest on the chair top or abdomen as well.
Do you play mostly standing or sitting?
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2006-01-06 06:34
I tried one of these over a year ago and didn't like it. I think perhaps the plastic used is relatively cheap; after about 20 minutes use, the thumbrest broke out of the bracket that I had mounted on the clarinet.
I didn't find it helpful either; it felt like the clarinet was going to slip out from the side. To date, the best thumbrest I've tried is the standard Buffet adjustable. However I am yet to try the Maestro, as well as that Ridenour one.
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Author: Pathik
Date: 2006-01-06 08:08
I had the same experience as Morrigan when I tried the Etude thumbrest for the first time yesterday (except it didn't break); I had the feeling that I was somehow losing the clarinet sideways and had to struggle to hold on to it. I think the problem is that the bit where you put the end of the thumb doesn't give the thumb anything much to hold on to, and the bit that sticks out to the right, which is supposed to be where you put the inner part of your thumb is mounted too high and at the wrong angle, at least for me.
I've tried a sling already, but that didn't do anything for me. It felt odd, as if the clarinet was being pushed into my mouth, and certainly didn't seem to relieve any of the weight unless I held the clarinet at a very awkward down-pointed angle, which is no good, and also severely restricted any kind of movement. It might make a difference to use a sling with some elastic in it, I don't know. I play mostly sitting down, it feels more comfortable.
Maybe I just have to be very careful, not overdo it, take plenty of short breaks while practicing, do stretches and excercises etc. I am doing some yoga in the evening and that seems to be helpful.
What are the "telescopic rests"? I don't think I've ever seen anything like that advertised anywhere. I was thinking of maybe making some sort of "thingie" that I could put on my legs to rest the bell on while playing if I start to feel some discomfort, but don't quite know what it would be.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-01-06 08:55
[ deleted. Chris P. is an employee of Howarth's and did not disclose such until much later. My apologies for missing this and letting Chris P. misuse this BBoard. Mark Charette ]
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2006-01-06 12:17
Pathik:
Do a search for previous discussions on the Etude. You'll find a number of comments good & bad to previous folks experience.
I like the idea of the Etude but don't like it's implementation. The rest is off-center from the bore of the clarinet so any open & mostly open fingerings will find the clarinet rotating in your mouth. The reason IMO is the shape of the thumb indentation. It's not deep enough. I tried mole skins & various other things to try to cure the problem unsuccessfully. I recently tried a friend's clarinet that has the pro Koomian TR. It seems much better. The thumb indentation is deep enough to provide the support & the outer support is much more adjustable. I doubt I'll buy one as I've had my TR remounted higher on my clarinet & I'm completely happy with that.
MOO,
Matt
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Author: Pathik
Date: 2006-01-06 14:23
I've now read just about every previous post about the Etude thumbrest....which is something I ought to have done before I actually bought one! Never mind, I've come to the conclusion that it's not for me, for the same reason mentioned by Matt in the above post and because the plastic bit that's supposed to give support to the inner part of the thumb gives me no support at all. Must be something to do with how my hand is shaped, or how I'm used to holding it. I might try having the Buffet TR remounted, or maybe I'll just turn it upside down to start off with. It's a pain, but I'm not going to give in......for someone who really, really, really wants to play the clarinet, there is always a solution!
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Author: charlie_star_uk
Date: 2006-01-06 14:31
i think it is a shame to give up on the kooiman..... i can't remember the etude one so well but the position of the thumb support encourages a more rounded shape of the hand which is good... make sure the thumb support is low enough.
try to balance the clarinet between the thumb and top teeth, without the embouchure in place. if you can't get that then maybe it's not right, but maybe with a bit of tweaking............ good luck!
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Author: D
Date: 2006-01-07 18:33
Rather a stop gap measure, but if you have the same length of back as me then you might find that by sitting cross legged on the floor and sitting up really straight, you can rest the edge of the bell on the floor and thus remove some of the weight. It would let you practice while you were trying to find a better thumb rest.
Or, more extreme, you could try renting a lyons C clarinet for a few months while you track down the perfect thumb rest. At least you could still play a bit!
Best of luck.
D
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Author: Pathik
Date: 2006-01-07 20:56
Thanks for your good wishes. Since my last post, all pain and discomfort seem to have vanished.........only I know to be more careful, take a short break now and again and certainly to take heed of any signs of discomfort, should they reappear. It must be one of those miracle healing things, so I can play the clarinet again now - what joy!
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