 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: joeyscl
Date: 2007-08-09 04:23
Okay, so like your average high school student, I worked during summer-- Scooping/serving ice cream.
Now, after a week of work, when ever i practiced for more than 10~15 min, my thumb would get Reaaally sore, making it impossible for me to play.
The fact that after 2 weeks, my fist accidentally slipped on a punch bag and landed the punch on the thumb (if u know what i mean) didn't make the situation any better either. Thank god I'm quitting my job...
ANYWAY, what do you do when you're thumb gets sore?
So for this has been a bit of a chronic problem for the past 3~4 weeks.
Post Edited (2007-08-09 04:23)
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Author: b.roke
Date: 2007-08-09 05:36
get a neckstrap or improve your thumbrest - kooiman's are great.
warm it up regularly.
.
steadfastness stands higher than any success
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2007-08-09 11:20
I have many of my students by the BG neckstrap ($20)...but this will only attach to your clarinet if you have a built-in hook (as so many student models do these days).
Otherwise you will need to by hook attachment which is an inverted lyre (attached at the middle joint) with a hook on it.
Even so, this set up is the same cost of the cheap Kooiman, and small fraction of the expensive Kooiman.
There is the claricord ($10) neckstrap, but unless you adjust it perfectly it applies pressure into your mouth. Not very cool.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2007-08-09 13:42
My daughter has a different problem with her thumb (an overuse injury more common among older clarinetists), and she used a BG strap for the better part of a year, along with going to see an orthopedic specialist for suggestions. In the meantime, she has also started using Tom Ridenour's thumb saddles on her three different instruments (Bb, A and Eb), and this really seems to help her specific problem.
http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/Thumb.htm
Besides ordering them direct from Tom, you can also get them at other places, such as Woodwind and Brasswind, if you are placing an order there, anyway. I use one, and it's a great invention. It fits just about any clarinet, whether it has a standard or an adjustable thumb rest.
I am assuming that the problem is with your RIGHT thumb.
Jeff (Edited for typos)
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2007-08-09 13:44)
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Author: pelo_ensortijado
Date: 2007-08-09 14:42
the kooiman thumbrests are GREAT!
once you have adjust it to suite your thumb you wont regret that you bought one! its THE greatest!!! (expensive, yes! but its well worth it!!!!)
just be careful that it wont limit the movements of the right hand!
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2007-08-09 15:12
Get the BG elastic strap. Adjust the "rubber bands" to "float" the mouthpiece in the right place --then you'll have almost no load on your right thumb.
The BG elastic strap comes with a leather patch. It has a slit to go over the thumb rest. You rotate the patch, so that the slit can't slip off, and hook the strap into a second hole in the leather patch.
Someone mentioned that the rigid strap sort of pokes the horn into your mouth -not comfortable.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2007-08-09 15:27
You know Bob,
I completely forgot about that leather strap that comes with the BG. I have it in a drawer nearby.
I use the inverted lyre thingamabob because I prefer the angle of the neckstrap.
I also use Ridenour's Thumb Saddles on my clarinets. Opens up the right hand and (along with the neckstrap) greatly reduces tension by freeing up the right hand.
James
Gnothi Seauton
Post Edited (2007-08-09 15:58)
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