 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: columbus
Date: 2007-05-16 23:32
the joint right next to my wrist is now hurting after I my teacher suggested a new placement for my right thumb. I don't want to stop, since it works much better--what can I do???
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2007-05-17 01:49
Let's hope you are enjoying the "new position" for all the right reasons. Firstly, I find that it's important that your right index finger is NOT too far upwards along the sidekeys so that you cannot just plop it down on the Eb/Bb key. If it is, what happens is that you'll wind up unconsciously adjusting this deficit by pushing upwards with your thumb to reach the Eb/Bb key (which we use ALL the time). There's no quicker way to develop carpal tunnel.
The other favorite peeve of mine is the idea that the right thumb MUSCLES hold up the clarinet when we are told to keep the thumb out perpedicularly rather than to just let is sag. Of course there is a huge difference where the right index finger will fall (as stated above) between these two schools of thought and the position of the thumbrest needs to be changed accordingly.
.............Paul Aviles
Post Edited (2007-05-17 10:58)
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Author: BelgianClarinet
Date: 2007-05-17 14:03
Have a look at the Kooiman thumb rest. Maybe it solves most of your problems (maybe it doesn't either, but it's worth checking. Even(?) the cheap one (€ 28) works great for me.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2007-05-17 15:17
I haven't tried the Kooiman...but even cheaper is a neckstrap. Several products out there, but the BG is the best for me.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Max S-D
Date: 2007-05-18 06:54
I had some problems with pain in my hand, wrist and forearm that came from playing the clarinet for extended periods of time. I've been working on relaxing the muscles in my arms, chest, shoulders and neck when I play. Another problem that I had was that I wasn't really bending my fingers over the keys, I was just holding them almost straight, which resulted in a lot more work for my body.
Now the pain has pretty much gone away (except when I'm really tired and slip back into my old habits) and I've also gotten a lot faster.
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Author: packrat
Date: 2007-05-18 23:14
I was playing a rehearsal in a church orchestra, sitting next to a flute player recently. She noticed me holding my hand after playing through several pieces. At the time I was playing so much that I was not only sore, but having muscle spasms in that thumb joint. She happened to be a massage therapist (as well as a heck of a good flutist) and she showed me a couple of stretching exercises and a couple of pressure points to rub and after doing that about 2 minutes I was good to go. Now when my thumb starts to hurt I rub those areas around the joint where she showed me and do the stretching exercises and it really helps.
Maybe you can find someone in your area who could give you some tips. I don't think I can explain how to do them correctly, because it's something you'd have to be shown. Since you are using different muscles maybe this would help.
Good luck. There's nothing more miserable than trying to be musical and hurting.
Becky
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-05-19 00:02
massage is good, but it only solves the symptom temporarialy. it doesn't solve the cause. if one doesn't solve the cause the pain will always come back.
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