 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Funfly
Date: 2014-04-19 13:01
I have recently started to use a neckstrap and have found it a great help with my lower right hand notes, which I have recently been having difficulty with.
I came to the conclusion that the strain on the thumb was affecting the hand and the strap removes this.
Bearing in mind that I am a student in the company of some 'proper' clarinettists here, I wonder how many others use a strap.
I should add that at my age arthritis is a factor here, but I also suggest that it might help students who have a problem.
Any comments?
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Author: BobD
Date: 2014-04-19 15:54
Another BB member is using a "cane chair" as a support. This item is a folding unit that is a support cane when folded up and a "seat" when unfolded. (not a seat made of woven cane). The normal use is for those with walking problems who require occasional temporary seating.
Bob Draznik
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Author: ThatPerfectReed
Date: 2014-04-19 16:13
I use one to compensate for right arm fatigue, believing the same things the OP does about it helping right hand notes...and for the same reasons.
The strap I use is from BG, and sadly is no longer made. It features a lyre which attaches to the clarnet and faces backwards, upon which the strap hook is attached to, offset an inch or two away from the back of the instrument.
I prefer this to the kind of devices where the neck strap attaches to a leather piece, itself affixed to the thumb rest; but to each their own.
I may try some of the stuff Stephen Fox has to offer if the neckstrap alone isn't enough.
http://www.sfoxclarinets.com/Accessories.html#clar acc
(I am independent of all music businesses.)
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Author: grenadilla428
Date: 2014-06-03 17:51
I use a neck strap when I'm playing Eb - I find that it helps stabilize the lighter-weight instrument in my hands.
For students, I really like the elastic neck strap. It's something I'll use particularly for beginners who have a hard time maintaining good right hand position. I like that the elastic takes some of the weight but not all, so they can gradually build that strength with their hand in the correct shape.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2014-06-03 19:46
When Martin Fröst, Ricardo Morales and Mark Nuccio use neck straps 100% of the time, then anyone can use them.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-06-03 20:57
What is infinitely better than slings in the fact it frees up the weight from your right arm was the Quodlibet Fhred which is no longer in production, but has since been revived in the form of the RDG Bhob which retails at a similar price.
http://www.howarth.uk.com/pic.aspx?pic=./wo/BhobGutRestStand.jpg&pid=989983
Definitely better than slings when it comes to posture as the clarinet won't drop downwards.
I am not affiliated with the former Quodlibet company nor RDG, but I can only see the benefits of the Fhred/Bhob far outweigh the deficiencies of a sling.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-06-03 23:02
Never attach anything to the more recent Buffet adjustable thumbrests as they're cast from weak metal.
You're best replacing it with a thumbrest (fixed or adjustable) from a cor anglais that has a ring attached to the upper side if you use a sling or support with it.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2014-06-03 23:33
I have similar age related problem as funfly but never really felt comfortable using a strap. I solved this by resting the clarinet on my knee using a small custom made support to raise the bell fractionally above the knee and it also collects any drips.
Subtle changes of instrument position easily made by just moving the knee.
Won't work for playing standing up but I have no intention to play that way anymore at my age.
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Author: kilo
Date: 2014-06-04 00:40
I just want to echo Chris P here and recommend something like the Fhred/Bhob. When I had elbow pain and tried a strap it made the pain even worse because I had to fight the strap's tendency to pull the instrument down. I made a device similar to the Fhred and it worked wonders. Another solution is a sling which supports your right elbow, not connected to the clarinet — I made one from an old silk necktie.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-06-04 01:39
The Fhred/Bhob still allows plenty of freedom of movement while playing instead of being fixed to the spot.
Slings are only really suitable for instruments with curved or angled crooks where the main body section can point downwards yet the reed or mouthpiece is still at the optimum angle for the player's embouchure.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Roys_toys
Date: 2014-06-04 12:47
As Chris says, the instrument needs to be curved for a neck strap to carry much of its weight.
I don't need support for clarinet, but I have a problem doubling on ( straight ) soprano sax, where the strap is only good for stopping it falling to the floor, even using the alternative curved crook. the crook curve is not sufficient to make any real difference neck strap wise. By contrast I am not troubled by my (much heavier ) tenor sax because that shape works. Standing or sitting.
Seems to me the sop sax needs something like a 45 degree rigid bar coming up from the players middle, so it's held / pushed upwards. Like the saxholder shoulders strap but with rigid upwards bar to the thumb rest area.
Does anything exist ? Unknown to my contacts.
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Author: Roys_toys
Date: 2014-06-04 16:32
Daniel
Thanks . I can check out WWR when I'm in Cambridge.
The pictures SF. shows of the clarinet brace brings home that the length of angled brace I would need to reach the sop makes it not very practical.
Regards
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Author: BobD
Date: 2014-06-04 17:10
I've never liked anything around my neck since they all put pressure on my vertebra and carotids....even neckties. The clarinet needs support from BELOW, not above. Also, I don't believe the bunk about resting the bell on the knee muffling the sound. After all, how much of the sound comes from the bell? The "force diagram" for a neck strap supported clarinet just doesn't make sense.
Bob Draznik
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Author: spage
Date: 2014-06-05 12:47
I've recently acquired one of Daniel's (I have arthritis and am also recovering from an attack of De Quervain's tendonitis on the right hand), and am definitely enjoying it. Instead of a neck strap I use it with a bassoon harness - the one I use is the BG harness. This spreads the weight across my shoulders/back rather than on the back of my neck, which is already inclined to audibly creak when I turn my head (yes indeedy, the 'falling apart as I go' age). In case anyone is wondering, once the attachment is on and settled you can quite literally take both hands off the clarinet and it balances perfectly.
My ring was made up as I waited as there were none then in stock. The only thing I need to talk with Daniel about is the length of the hook. I'm wondering if it's possible to get two lengths of 'stem' to allow for quick switching from Bb to A in orchestra without needing to alter the strap length (time critical!). As a short-bodied bod I can, when sitting, rest the A on my knees without scrunching up but that won't work for everyone.
I saw the prototypes of these - an early one was made for cearnsh's basset clarinet - but they required modification, in the form of a fixing point, on the back of the instrument. cearnsh and I have always found Daniel interested in modifications to improve playing for/of player/instrument, so I expect he would be open to thinking about saxophone adapters.
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