 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: gsurosey
Date: 2010-10-24 14:42
In my continuing quest to feel physically better when I play, I've been experimenting. One thing I noticed that helps a little is putting my RH thumb above the thumbrest at times. I've seen posts here before about having thumbrests moved in different places to make playing more comfortable. I'm hesitant to move mine until I find out what's going to work the best and I'm not having random holes drilled and things moved around.
I've seen adjustable thumbrests (there was one on an Evette Master Model I used to have before I went to the R13s). Are they generally mounted higher? I was never sure since adjustables go down. The one that was on my old clarinet was mounted in the same place the original was. It wasn't a very good job since it wasn't the same size as the original, but screwed into the original holes (like that when I acquired it). Therefore, the thumbrest was loose and an attempt was made to glue the rest of it to the clarinet.
I noticed my RH position is off (relative to the instrument) when I play alto sax. My 1-2-3 fingers naturally all shift 1 place higher than they need to be (so 3rd finger on 2 key, 2nd finger on 1 key, and 1st finger on keycup above the 1 key). I always have to look to make sure I'm in the right spot.
I don't have a problem switching among the clarinets (eefer, Bb, A, bass), but I assume that's because they're relatively proportional to each other.
Rachel
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-10-24 15:01
So much depends on the size of your hand, especially your pinky finger and thumb. There is no one place fits all. Placing your thumb too high can make it difficult to easily reach the low E-B key in the RH and even creating a problem covering the 3rd hole in the RH in fast passages. On the other hand having it placed to low for the size of you hand can create a problem reaching the side Eb -Bb key with the RH. It also depends on what part of your thumb you hold the clarinet. Close to the thumb nail, on the joint, behind the joint. My suggestion is to place your hand on the clarinet open holes so that your hand is positioned as close to how it would be if you were picking up a ball, that gives you a good hand - finger position. Allow your thumb to fall in it's natural position. Look how your hand looks when you form it as if picking up a ball and you will see what I mean. Sure there has to be a slight adjustment to cover everything but that's a good place to start. Experiment where the thumb rest rests on your thumb, that could make a big difference too. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2010-10-24 15:58
I really like Ed's idea. Additionally, if a higher position seems better for you, there is a simple way to raise the thumb rest on a Buffet (at least older R13s - I don't know what the current thumb rests look like) without drilling any additional holes. It may or may not help but, if it doesn't, you haven't done any harm to the instrument. If you have the simple thumb rest held by two screws, try taking it off and putting it back on upside-down.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-10-24 20:28
Not to throw a monkey wrench into this, but you could also try Elsa Ludwig-Verder's suggested thumb position which is to have the tip of the the thumb point more toward the ceiling as opposed to the floor. So instead of allowing the thumb to "sag" under the weight of the clarinet, you are now actively holding it up. This position DOES not cause undue strain done properly since the skeletal system of the arm is completely engaged with this posture.
Of course you WOULD out of necessity need the thumbrest higher for this position.
...................Paul Aviles
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Author: davetrow
Date: 2010-10-24 22:31
I struggled with this issue for quite a while and finally decided to bite the bullet and get a Kooiman Maestro adjustable thumb rest.
It's expensive (over $200 including installation) and it takes a loooong time to get it adjusted to just the right position. But, oh my, when you get it right (or even close--I'm still fine-tuning it), it makes a tremendous difference in comfort, stability, and fingering speed.
Because it's infinitely adjustable, you can be pretty sure of getting a position that works for you, and it comes with two mounting slides so you can use it on two different clarinets.
If worse come to worst, and you can't get it to work, there's only one extra hole in your horn, since it uses the standard mounting holes as well.
Dave Trowbridge
Boulder Creek, CA
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