 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2013-04-01 14:12
My right thumb joint, where I need to rest my clarinet, is very enlarged due to arthritis. I use a neck strap and a rubber cushion on the thumb support. However, I find that the thumb support continually slides off my thumb because of the joint is so rounded and enlarged. It almost looks like I have a marble embedded under my skin at the joint. Does anybody have any experience with using some sort of adaptive device to hold the clarinet on my thumb?
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2013-04-01 14:17
You might try a Tom Kooimann thumbrest. Just Google it and you'll find them. I think Amazon may list them. They transfer the load to the base of the thumb. Also take a look at the Ridenour thumb saddle, made by Tom Ridenour, a subscriber to this BB.
Tony F.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-04-01 14:32
The big Kooiman is the best straight forward solution by far since the area of the thumb that is your problem only then becomes a spot to rest the bottom surface of the clarinet NOT where you support the weight.
There is a more involved alternative that requires no more hardware. This would be to take on the attitude of the right hand suggested by Elsa Ludwig-Verdehr. Instead of letting the thumb sag under the weight of the clarinet and allowing the thumb to angle towards the floor (drawing a line from the base of the thumb to the tip), you actually angle the thumb more toward the ceiling. This position might require a bit more active muscle work at first but it ultimately is much less of a strain since it distributes weight to the bones of the wrist and arm.
This change also requires that the right hand fingers curl more (particularly the pinky) and the thumbrest will have to be moved higher up the horn to accommodate comfortable reach of the side keys.
The caveat for you may be to avoid all this if any pressure on your protuberance causes you pain.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: Joe Bloke
Date: 2013-04-01 14:36
When my thumb starts bothering me, I adjust (shorten) the neck strap so that the thumb rest is slightly above my thumb. So, I can feel the thumb rest with the top of my thumb but, it's not supporting the horn.
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2013-04-01 15:17
I have been using you homemade thumbrest saddle designed by Tictactux (Ben), scroll down around 20 messages in this thread
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=256069&t=256018
It has helped me, not sure it will solve your problem.
Laurie
Laurie (he/him)
Post Edited (2013-04-01 15:18)
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2013-04-08 18:04
Thank you to each of you for your suggestions. I've been using the Ridenour thumb rest and that does help, but does come off the thumb rest "peg" too often to be ok. I've been using a rubberband to help hold my clarinet ON the thumbrest and it seems to be helping.
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Author: Taras12
Date: 2013-04-08 19:15
Ditto on the Kooiman Etude 3. It rests behind the knuckle on the 1st phalanx. I think it's worth the money.
Tristan
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Author: Clarimeister
Date: 2013-04-09 04:01
Michelle Anderson has a great video about the right hand position including the right hand thumb. Definitely worth a checkout. Her subscription on Youtube is fantastic as well to help beginners to pros with common problems to the clarinet.
I am not endorsed or affiliated with Michelle Anderson by any means.
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Author: kevinbarry
Date: 2013-04-09 08:47
I have a thumb problem too (I'm in my 70's) and am still tackling it, having tried various thumb rests and supports just as you have. Yesterday I started to use a sort of ancient medieval gauntlet thingy that weighs very little; it is too soon to tell if it will do the job as my thumb is swollen and painful anyway but I thought I'd pass the information on immediately.
It is a physiotherapy gadget and you can see it here (the cheaper one on the left):
http://www.physioroom.com/search_gcs.php?q=Wrist+Brace+with+Thumb+Splint+X-Large+Right%22
This is in the UK where I am but you could probably find something similar where you are. It seems as if it will distribute the weight along the whole thumb and into the wrist, spreading out the pressure. It seems possible to shift the clarinet more to the tip of the thumb too, above the middle joint, which might be an alternative approach.
Time will tell if this thing will solve the thumb problem, alleviate it, or be nbg. Incidentally, I find the fingers are not particularly inhibited, no more so than playing outside in the cold with fingerless mittens.
I'll post back later on if it works for me.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-04-09 13:23
A physical therapist who specializes in musicians will be able to help, possibly by relocating the thumb rest.
The therapist can probably also design "thumb glove" with padding that raises the areas on either side of the joint.
A hand surgeon may be able to reduce the size of the swollen joint.
The late Joseph Marx had severe rheumatoid arthritis that caused all his finger joints to swell, making it impossible to play his oboe. Carl Sawicki, a virtuoso repairman, made extensive key alterations that let him keep on playing.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2013-04-09 14:07
I have a brace just like that one. I use it on my left hand because of the basal joint arthritis. I'm going to turn it inside out and try to use it on my right hand. It never occurred to me to give it a try.
Surgery isn't an option...had enough of those to last four lifetimes! Plus, I've seen my hand surgeon about it and he's never mentioned surgery. My sister is a PT and in town, so I'll pick her brain about possible solutions.
Thanks for both the suggestions.
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2013-04-09 14:10
The thumb brace that I have works on either right or left. The manufacturer is Comfort Cool. I just gave it a try. It still doesn't keep my thumb from sliding off the thumbrest:(
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2013-04-09 20:03
I've tried what many others have done, I turned my thumbrest around so that is a little higher on the clarinet. This seems to help. I also put some cork on the back in case I lost my add on, or I perferred just using the thumbrest alone. I cut a slice off a wine bottle cork, the curved part needed a little sanding to fit in the rest. I cut the piece a little large so that I wouldn't have to be exact when I used the contact cement, then sanded off the excess. A side benefit of this extra cork is that it makes the thumb rest thicker, and so an add on thumb rest, if it is rubber, fits more tightly. I very seldom lose the homemade thumb rest / hand cushion I mentioned earlier.
Laurie
Laurie (he/him)
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Author: Wes
Date: 2013-04-09 21:55
Some of the old Conn soprano saxophones had a thumbrest that was shaped like a ring about an inch in diameter or so. If you have a friend who is into making jewelry, a thumb rest like that could be made to replace the present thumb rest. It is just an idea. Good luck!
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2013-04-10 17:05
I checked out the Tonkooiman thumb support...$250...yikes!!!
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Author: kevinbarry
Date: 2014-04-14 13:36
A belated update: the gauntlet thing did not really help and was cumbersome. In desperation I tried switching to the flute (love the sound!) but did not have enough wind/decent embouchure to play it properly. So back to my clarinet.
Recently I tried two things that seem to be working; I can now play for up to half an hour without any thumb pain at all and I am gradually extending the period. I do not wish to overdo it which temperamentally I am inclined to do with anything I attempt.
First, an elastic neck strap attached to the thumb rest but tightened up a lot. Then I place my thumb ABOVE the rest so that I am gently pushing the clarinet away against the elasticity in the cord. The tiny amount of pressure involved falls on side of my thumb not the knuckle joint which is the painful bit. This definitely helps, though feels strange.
Second, I discovered Flexiseq, a gel that one gently smoothes over the joint but NO rubbing in. It claims to use micro technology so little particles soak down into the joint and lubricate it. If you rub it in, it breaks up the little particles so reducing the effectiveness. It is a pure lubricant, not a pain killer or anti-inflammatory. Whatever, it works for me. I found that for the first two days it made little difference to my thumb or perhaps made it slightly worse. After that it helped a great deal although I discovered by accident that using it once a day works better for me than teh recommended twice a day. Very strange!
Reading Amazon reviews it would seem that it is good if one's problem is lack of lubrication, which is common. Against this, it is absolutely no use to anyone whose pain is caused by something else. So it either gets 5-stars or 1-star, depending on the individual!
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Author: Dibbs
Date: 2014-04-15 16:02
Kevinbarry, This might help.
http://www.wwr.co.uk/clarinet-accessories/pid89425/cid417/clarinet-support-to-suppliment-the-use-o.asp
It works in conjunction with a neck strap. The wooden block sits on your belly and the other end connects to a thin brass ring that goes between the bottom joint and the bell of your clarinet. The strap connects between the two. It takes ALL the weight off your thumb. You can play an open G without touching the instrument. I don't use one myself, but have tried one and and it works very well.
It says they are out of stock on the web page but ring them. They make them themselves and will probably knock one up for you.
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Author: kevinbarry
Date: 2014-04-15 16:49
Thanks for the information Dibbs! I spoke to Wood, Wind and Reed on the 'phone as you suggested. I ordered one immediately.
Earlier on I looked aroung for a Fhred support for some time and failed to locate any in the UK. Howarth's say that they are expecting an equivalent support to arrive from abroad but this was seven weeks ago and I have heard nothing from them since. Their website does not currently list it either but eventually they might have a Fhred replacement to offer.
Post Edited (2014-04-15 16:51)
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Author: nbclarinet
Date: 2014-04-15 16:57
I had a similar problem earlier this year. Not too much inflammation, but some pretty serious pain on my right thumb that began shooting up my forearm. The Kooiman professional model fixed my problems literally overnight. I have better hand position and have had no pain since getting it installed. Ive noticed some more traditional players and teachers aren't too keen on the Kooiman, however you can't argue with great results. Highly recommend!
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2014-04-15 22:45
Unless you do marching band or play standing up why not take the weight off your thumb by resting the bell on your knee. The thumb then only has to help stabilise the clarinet.
I found slight arthritic pain a few years ago was virtually banished by doing this.
I have also made a little bell attachment to raise the clarinet slightly above the knee to avoid sound damping.
Post Edited (2014-04-15 22:47)
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2014-04-16 06:09
Wow. I can't believe this thread came alive again after a year. I bought the Ton Kooiman thumb rest a number of months ago and it solved the problem immediately. Ton Kooiman just sent me another plate so I can now use it on my Eb as well. I'll NEVER quit using the Kooiman. It's solved all the issues.
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Author: kevinbarry
Date: 2014-04-16 11:31
Glad it helped so much. I tried it and it did very little for me, sad to say.
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Author: kevinbarry
Date: 2014-04-16 11:34
I tried that too. I just found it uncomfortable to sit like that which I guess makes me a wimp. And we know that getting old is not for wimps.
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2014-04-16 18:55
When I started playing the clarinet again after quite a hiatus, I would prop the clarinet between my knees to take the weight off my thumb. However, it was just too close to my body and affected my embouchure and tone. I'm a mere 4'10" (and a half:) so am too short to rest it on my knee. I've tried! I'd tried everything I could possibly imagine before trying the Kooiman. I even went so far as to upturn a garbage can and rest it on it...it worked for the moment, but not a long-term solution! I think it's great that there are so many solutions to this problem. Perhaps, if the clarinet had originally been designed with a more substantial thumb rest, none of us aging players would be looking for help in relieving the arthritis and pain in that thumb! The neck strap only transferred the pain from my thumb to my neck, but I would imagine it's a good option for "younger-than-me" players.
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