 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mareasto
Date: 2010-07-26 02:14
I am a professional piano player and I have just started playing a lot of clarinet. I am experiencing quite a bit of discomfort in my right thumb. I think much of my pain is just from doing something that my thumb is not used to. Is there some sort of accessory pad that I can purchase to ease this pain. Also, is it possible that I am doing something technically incorrect?
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Author: Sarah M
Date: 2010-07-26 02:36
you can search this topic using the search function as there have been many threads created for solutions. to sum it up breifly: neckstrap, use your knees, practice in small doses to give your thumb a rest
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Author: dansil
Date: 2010-07-26 02:41
several options are available:
1. a neck strap - this will take virtually all of the pain from your thumb and, depending on your age and the condition of your spine, may transfer it to your neck! It takes a bit of getting trial and error to feel comfortable with a strap.
2. extra padding on your existing thumb rest - usually in the form of a soft rubber or foam device which slips over the thumb rest on your clarinet. Of all the various devices available Tom Ridenour's "thumb saddle" is probably the best and is readily available. However this doesn't take any weight off the end of your thumb and if your pain arises from the middle joint of your thumb being stressed from the weight of the clarinet the pain you experience won't alter that much!
3. an alterative device which shifts the weight from near the end of your thumb to much closer to your palm thereby shortening the lever upon which your clarinet rests. This puts much less strain on your thumb and the tendons supporting the weight. The best example is a brilliant device by Kooiman called the Kooiman thumb rest. Two models exist - the Etude 2 - plastic, cheap and reliable, and the Maestro - expensive, metal and very adjustable to suit virtually anybody's anatomy. I've got two of the Etude and am expecting a Maestro any day. I have not suffered any thumb pain since I started using the Etude but I'm curious to "audition" the Maestro!
I hope this helps.
a family doctor in Castlemaine, rural Victoria, Australia for the past 30+ years, also a plucked string musician (mandolin, classical guitar) for far too long before discovering the clarinet - what a missed opportunity!
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Author: smb9220
Date: 2010-07-26 02:46
Check out the Fhred. I use it and it works extremely well. The only modification required is a ring on your thumb rest.
http://www.quodlibet.com/FhredGen.php
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-07-26 14:20
I would say it also depends on where the pain is.
If the discomfort is just the point of contact, you could just try slipping a section of medical tubing over the thumbrest (or other commercial products as mentioned above..... I use a thick rubber gizmo called Tom Thumb which I think is Ridenour as well).
If the discomfort is muscular (where thumb and palm connect) it could be just getting used to the weight of the horn (in which case the strap may be the ticket if you're older).
Or this thumb muscle issue could be the result of competing positions. That is, your right index finger must clearly be able to fall upon the last sidekey with NO scrunching at all. If your thumbrest it adjusted too high up on the lower joint, you may be subconsciously pushing up with your thumb to make room for your index finger to reach the ubiquitous "Bbs" and "Ebs" of that lowest sidekey.
...................Paul Aviles
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Author: OmarHo
Date: 2010-07-26 14:33
It's also not uncommon for people to get a tech to reposition the thumbrest upwards so that the thumb aligns with the index finger. Much less strain in this position.
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Author: davetrow
Date: 2010-07-26 14:56
The adjustability of the Kooiman product is a big plus, but a combination of Omar's suggestion (moving up the thumbrest to better oppose thumb and forefinger) and the Ridenour saddle (to open up the hand) might work as well. The only problem is that you have to get it right the first time.
One problem with the Ridenour product is that while it opens up the hand, it also pushes the thumb farther down, further out of alignment with the forefinger. I addressed this partially by turning my thumbrest around (on an R13), which helped a bit, but not enough.
I am going to check with my doctor about the thumb pain and see if I can get a "prescription" for the Kooiman, so at least it will be tax deductible.
Dave Trowbridge
Boulder Creek, CA
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-07-26 15:21
You could try placing the rest on a different part of your thumb. Yes, it will take some time to build up you strength since you are a last beginner. You could also buy a larger thumb rest, one that's adjustable, or/and put a large piece of rubber tubbing on it to extend it out a bit, that spreads out the pressure over more surface of your finger. You can get that at any hardware store and it's very inexpensive. I had a student use the Kooiman thumb rest when she had a problem and it was great, it took the pressure off her thumb. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2010-07-26 17:32
Another possibility is the BG thumb cushion. I've used mine for a couple years, and as far as I'm concerned, it's the best of the basic products that fit on the thumb rest. It's also inexpensive. If you're feeling a lot of pain in the joint, though, you might want to try one of the Kooiman products or a neck strap.
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Author: Mareasto
Date: 2010-07-26 19:02
Thank you to all for your replies. I think I you have suggested enough ideas to address the problem. I will keep you posted on my progress.
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Author: Plonk
Date: 2010-07-26 20:24
I'd like to ask seasoned players - what part of the thumb does the rest lie above and do you have a callous there? When I played in my youth I never noticed anything on my thumb, but since taking it up again in (now in my late 30s), and playing every day for 2-3 months now, I have noticed the skin hardening on the side of the knuckle. I think the thumb rest is directly on the boniest part of my thumb- would this be a correct position?
Also I have noticed that I don't feel any pain or anything while playing, but when I'm not playing the pad of my thumb is now permanently numb to touch. Does that sound normal? It's not painful, but when I touch my thumb pad it feels kind of tingly.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-07-26 20:41
There is sort of a natural "saddle" at the point between the thumb nail and the joint. My clarinet sits perhaps more on the edge of the joint (thumb nail side of course) than right in between. I don't have a callous perse but the skin has gotten thicker there (seems like the underlying tissue has gotten thicker!!!).
I don't know if the lack of sensation in your thumb pad is a concern, but I do not have this and it does not sound altogether common a problem.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: Ash2ashes
Date: 2010-07-26 23:10
I have recently acquired myself an etude 2 and my playing time improved considerably. It's definitly worth it as, even though I've just started, I'm doing a fair few hours practice a day. Thumb pain sorted, now I gotta work on the chops
x
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Author: davetrow
Date: 2010-07-26 23:40
Plonk, what you describe sounds like nerve damage. It is one of the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, or it could be related to the pressure of the thumb rest, or even cervical problems (about C6, I think). Either way, I'd urge you to see a doctor soon to avoid having it become permanent or progressing to something worse.
Dave Trowbridge
Boulder Creek, CA
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-07-27 02:55
The placement of the thumb rest on the thumb depends on the size of your thumb and the rest of your fingers. You're fingers should be placed so the soft cushiony part of each finger rests on the holes so your thumb needs to sit where that would be comfortable to do that. The shape of your hand should be as close to a position as if you were picking up a ball, sort of in a C shape. Then just allow the thumb to be placed in as natural position as possible. For me it's just on the finger nail up to the first joint but I have a small thumb. My right thumb is definitely more "swollen" looking than my left thumb about 50 some years of playing. It's my badge of courage, sort of. ESP
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Author: grenadilla428
Date: 2010-07-28 15:09
I have not been playing as long as Ed, but my right thumb is a bit wider than my left as well. The skin just above the knuckle is thicker than elsewhere, but it's not hard like a callous. I play with the thumb rest between the nail and the knuckle.
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