 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: nes
Date: 2007-04-27 03:40
Hi all,
Amongst Australians, there is a little debate about whether to get a really nice Koiman thumb rest, or to get a nice BG neckstrap. The arguments I heard both for and against allowed me to come to a conclusion that: the younger you are, the molre a neckstrap would suit you. Start on a neckstrap and then consider a Kooiman. So I took that route and I am loving my BG neckstrap!
But, I would lve to hear your thoughts! Thanks
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-04-27 08:52
agreed. kooiman products are generally suited to adult size hands. for the same reason, adults with exceptionally small hands might not like the Kooiman products.
you didn't ask but- I feel that neckstraps cause a lot of problems with tone as the balance of the instrument is changed. I know that a lot of great players use neckstraps, but in general I find it does not help tone for most people.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: samohan245
Date: 2007-04-27 11:19
why dont u try both before u buy either one.
i would also use experience before u buy too
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-04-27 14:49
" adults with exceptionally small hands might not like the Kooiman products."
his thumbrests are adjustable. just use a hex screw to adjust the thumb angle. I have small hands, but after it's adjusted, it works.
the real debate is wear and tear. If you use a neck strap, it's pretty much a sure fit and also there is little wear and tear. I preferabbly like the kooiman thumbrest because it doesn't irritate my neck, and it puts the weight closer to your thumb. honestly, i've had no callouses since or buildup of any either.
why not to get a kooiman thumbrest (plastic) if you like to clench your clarinet while your playing, your probably going to have a likely bet that your thumb will raise itself and put stress on the plastic thumb holder. this will cause the infamous snapping of the thumb holder which is dangerous when holding an expensive clarinet. i learned to just keep my thumb muscle neutral, and have had no problems with a wiggling thumbrest or what not.
all preference
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: seafaris
Date: 2007-04-27 15:34
I have used the Kooiman plastic thumbrest for about two years. It is still in excellent condition. I average about an hour a day of playing, some days more. When I installed it I used superglue in the screw holes. I put moleskin in the curved part of the rest to keep it from slipping and it is more comfortable. It has not come loose, and the cruve part has not broken. I am pretty careful with my equipment. I did try 2 different types of neckstraps and did not like them. I felt more restricted, and I didn't like the weight on my neck. Everyone is different and this is what is working for me.
...Jim
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: claritoot26
Date: 2007-04-27 18:31
I like my BG neckstrap, and it is less expensive than the Kooiman thumbrest, which I have not tried. With my 20-yr-old R13s, I use the loop of fabric and slide it over the old style thumbrest. Problem is, I just bought a new R13 Prestige Bb with the new style adjustable thumb rest and the material doesn't really fit on there. So, I dug out the attachment that slips around the middle ring of the clarinet, like a lyre does. Unfortunately, I left the attachment backstage after a performance. Hopefully I can get it back tonight. It came off with the socket ring, which came loose in the cool dry hall. I might have a problem when I switch clarinets, since they have different thumbrests. Maybe I will get a new thumbrest for the A clarinet.
To make a long story longer, I do like the comfort of the BG neckstrap, but I might like to try the Kooiman sometime if I have the opportunity before I buy.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-04-28 07:18
Neckstrap is a lot less $$$ than kooiman so that's the route I took.
I save my money for stuff that REALLY matters . . .
. . .
like mouthpeices . . . ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Markael
Date: 2007-04-29 11:04
I'm not from Australia and I have never heard of this thumb rest, but it must be a super dooper thumb rest if it costs more than a neck strap and players prefer it.
The whole point of a neck strap is that it relieves some of the weight on the thumb. A thumb rest can't do that.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-04-29 11:37
the kooiman thumbrests do not remove the weight from the thumb, but they change the position of the thumb so that there is no pain.
The weight itself does not cause pain if the hand has the correct shape. It allows everything from thumb to shoulder to be relaxed.
URL- www.tonkooiman.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2007-04-29 11:59
......or neither one. How about fhred?
Bob Draznik
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-04-29 13:49
what do you mean Bob?
I have seen some people say that the Kooiman is very uncomfortable, but after it is adjusted properly (most don't know how to get the best out of it) nearly all change their minds.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-04-29 15:23
pretty much in a nutshell. if you like to clench your right hand when you play, DON't get the thumbrest as you will likely snap it. you just have to adjust to the feel of the thumbrest and work around it. it's really quite comfortable.
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BelgianClarinet
Date: 2007-04-29 16:17
Since one week using the (cheap : sfalexi not $$$, 28 € to be precise) etude version of the kooiman rest.
I didn't really have lot of pain or trouble, but I wanted to try it out for my 12 year old daughter (during "master class" for 12-18years old Walter Boeykens promoted this gadget for kids that have difficulties for right positioning of the clarinet because they lack power/hand size - and so get into technical problem because they bring there fingers in an unnatural position).
After some initial 'getting used to', it now looks like an overall win : I have even less pain :-), yes the hand feels more relaxed than ever before.
It also helped played some tricky right hand stuff, because the fingers seem to have more freedom of movement.
Maybe it is true that if you move your hand too much it breaks, but I have a feeling that you don't need to move your hand to get everything done much easier and more relaxed.
Sofar thumbs (rest) up, see what the long run will bring.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: katie_netie
Date: 2009-07-03 06:57
The stuff that really matters....? Being able to hold your instrument.
Katie
Yamaha Custom SEV, Vandoren M13, Vandoren Optimum Ligature
Buffet E11 Eb Clarinet, Vandoren leather ligature and B44 mouthpiece
Going into second year university for music
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2009-07-03 15:49
Michelle Gingras showed us her neck strap-to-thumbrest solution at Clarinexus this year. She uses a 1/4-inch outside diameter nylon spacer for a #10 screw and a 1-inch rubber o-ring.
You fold the o-ring and poke it through the spacer. Then, you put one loop ov the o-ring over the thumb rest and slide the spacer down to cinch tightly around the thumb rest. It works brilliantly --much better than the flap of leather adaptor provided with the BG neck strap.
More details in her book "Clarinet Secrets."
Bob Phillips
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
