 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: easyvision
Date: 2009-03-19 20:32
Alright so I started playing clarinet about a week ago now. Thing is, when I play, my right hand thumb starts to go numb. I have it positioned so the thumb rest is on my thumb inbetween the nail and the first joint. I know there's a nerve there so that's most likely the reason it's going numb.
Think I should reposition my thumb or see a doctor incase i've damaged the nerve or somthing? The numbness tends to last about a day, very slowly easing up.
Live and let groove!
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2009-03-19 21:24
Hmmm...do check with a doctor, but you could also use either a neckstrap (I like the Claricord) or check out the Fhred support system. Both have been discussed on the BBoard multiple times.
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2009-03-19 21:36
You could try a different sort of thumb cushion. Some of the cheap ones are a bit too soft and get squashed after a while.
Steve
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Author: easyvision
Date: 2009-03-19 21:38
I'll definitely look into a neck strap. The thumb rest I have at the moment doesn't have a cushion. It's just metal so that may be the problem. Quick fix for now could just be a simple bandaid on my thumb while I play.
Either way, I'll definitely see a doctor about it incase the nerve has been damaged in any way.
Live and let groove!
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2009-03-19 22:16
For a great, inexpensive (less than $3.00) solution, get a BG thumb cushion. For the basic thumb rest (not the adjustable kind), you'll need the smaller size. If you can't find one at a music store near you, a lot of online music stores have them. Your thumb will never feel sore again.
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Author: Chris J
Date: 2009-03-19 22:25
I wouldn't worry too much, seeing as you say the feeling returns to the thumb. Pressure on a nerve can stop it working, and prolonged pressure can even "bruise" it sufficiently for it to take 3 months to recover (neuropraxia), but you would have to cut the nerve to really damage it, which you will not have done.
Try a cushion as suggested above, or support the instrument more towards the joint for now.
If you are just starting on the clarinet, you may well be more tense and "heavy handed" trying to fix it in a constant position, than when you get more used to movement of the instrument as you play it. If the thumb rest is adjustable, there may be a better place for it for your hand size and reach.
But practice will get you more familiar with the instrument, so don't let the thumb problem out you off!
(Dr) Chris
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2009-03-20 04:24
I'd be leery of your sore thumb and take some immediate steps to minimize your discomfort. Holding all that weight on your thumb is an unusual thing to do. Most new players find this new way of using the thumb to be uncomfortable, but having enough discomfort to be concerned is not usual.
You need to hold up the instrument, and you need to have your fingers poised so that they naturally line up with the tone holes --with your right little finger able to reach all four of its keys. So, you can't put the thumb rest just anyplace.
A neck strap is a big help, and the support it gives can avoid overuse injury to your forearm. A cushy pad can mitigate local discomfort.
Most of us develop a substantial callus from the thumb rest. After 2-years with a neck strap, mine has nearly disappeared.
Bob Phillips
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-03-20 12:11
For less than $20 you can get a Ridenour Thumb Saddle. They are great to open up the right hand a bit, and relieve the discomfort many players experience when starting out. I have been using them for a few years and they work great. My daughter uses them on all three of her instruments, a Bb, an A and an eefer. She has more severe problems with her right thumb, which an orthopod diagnosed as overuse from too much playing. She tried a neckstrap, but it wasn't quite what she wanted to work with. The Thumb Saddle seems to work well for her, too.
http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/Thumb.htm
Jeff
“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."
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2009-03-20 12:49
I used to have a problem similar to yours when I played sax, but the feeling always returned about 5-10 minutes after I took the sax off.
You say that the numbness lasts a day!!! which is really far too long to "not worry about".
You should go to a doctor that specializes in these things first; it may have nothing to do with clarinet, but maybe there are other things in your life/environment that are causing strain on this nerve and the clarinet is just the straw that broke the camel's back.
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2009-03-20 14:04
the classic student solution is a piece of surgical tubing slipped over the metal of the thumbrest. I hven't tried the Ridenour thumb saddle but there are opinions pro and con on this board if you do a search. I can say that the Ton Kooiman Etude II works great for me but it's more expensive. I don't know if they are easily available yet in the US yet (I got mine from Howarth in London) but I believe you'll find comments about the Etude I here too. You really need to resolve this issue quickly or it will ruin your enjoyment of the clarinet.
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Author: sinkdraiN
Date: 2009-03-20 14:13
Get a neck strap for clarinet. They fit nicely over the thumb hook on all clarinets. Nothing should go numb...that's the sign that something is wrong and you should stop. The strap should allow your thumb and right hand to relax.
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Author: easyvision
Date: 2009-03-20 14:17
Wow thank you all so much for your comments! It's nice to see that the community here is so friendly and helpful.
My first step will be to go to a doctor. I also play bass and am using my thumb quite a lot for that so as someone suggested, clarinet may have been the straw that broke the camels back.
I'll be getting lessons as of next week(thought I could learn on my own...I was wrong:P) so I'll speak with my teacher and see if she has any tips for me to position my hand better. If neither of those options work I'll look into all the products that have been mentioned.
Just as a little note, I live in the UK so availability for these products may vary. I'm sure I can either have something shipped from the US or find an equivilant though.
Thanks again for all your help and support:)
Live and let groove!
Post Edited (2009-03-20 14:18)
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Author: huff n' puff
Date: 2009-03-20 14:23
Hi, easyvision......... forgive me for lowering the tone of your posting, but in case you hadn't noticed, I have nominated you for the "shortest clarinet poem" prize.
Hope you have no objection........... H&P.
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Author: easyvision
Date: 2009-03-20 14:26
Haha, that's absolutely fine!:D Thanks for letting me know though.
Live and let groove!
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