 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2015-12-05 03:44
One of the sax players in the college band with which I perform was wearing a strange "neck strap" a couple of months ago. During break, I spoke with her about it, tried it on, and immediately ordered one. The traditional clarinet neck strap has always given me a sore neck so it was a relief to switch to something different. This instrument support strap puts the weight of your instrument onto your shoulder blades and takes ALL the weight off your neck. I HIGHLY recommend it for anybody whose neck is sore after using a traditional strap. It's designed for saxophones, but works just fine with my clarinet as long as I wrap the strap behind the plastic piece before hooking it to my instrument. Its design comes from Switzerland and is well thought-out. It's worth checking out. It's called a Saxholder and can be found on this website:
http://www.jazzlab.com/
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2015-12-05 04:11
Steve Neff has a generally positive review of this strap on YouTube -Steve Neff Saxhold Saxophone Neckstrap Review. He says it works great when you're playing standing up but it feels "quirky" when you're playing in a seated position. Do you find that that it works better when you're standing? Neff doesn't say anthing about using it for clarinet, only sax.
One thing it isn't is cheap. Regular BG neck straps go in some places for about $25; this strap seems to be selling for over $80. Is that what you paid for it?
Post Edited (2015-12-05 04:17)
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2015-12-05 05:55
I paid about $50 for it...and, after so many years of serious pain in my neck, I feel it was worth every penny. I've not tried it standing up...only sitting down. The strap was only about 1/2" from my thumb, but once I started tucking it behind the vertical plastic piece then clipping it to the ring on my clarinet, it took care of that issue. I've not tried it while standing, but should probably check it out as I have a recital in about a month. I have absolutely nothing negative to say about it. It's well-constructed so I feel it's worth the money. It's definitely worth the money to no longer have an aching neck every time I play.
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Author: kilo
Date: 2015-12-05 14:24
I'm glad you found something that works; I've heard nothing but praise for that device. I've found that an old silk tie made into a sling where I can rest my elbow works very well for me.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-12-05 14:36
I use the JazzLab harness/sling thing when playing bass sax as the weight of the instrument is distributed onto my shoulders rather than all the weight of the instrument bearing on my neck. Only problem I have when using it for marching is the left side shoulder bracket tends to lift up due to the instrument being slung over to the right as most saxes are rather than being dead central to the player.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2015-12-05 19:38
I LOVE the SaxHolder. I got one after trying several neckstraps at my physical therapist's office. (It's a musician-centered one!)
The reason it works great for me is that I was having issues with the scalene muscles at the base of the neck. My Claricord neckstrap didn't help those at all, and neither did my Neotech sax strap.
I use the SaxHolder for clarinet by attaching it to the thumbrest with a hair binder. Easy peasy.
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Author: kilo
Date: 2015-12-06 00:14
Roxann —
My right elbow. The loop is around 44" long; it will be different for everyone. Over my head onto the left shoulder, the other end under my right elbow. It holds my elbow at the right position without my having to exert any effort to keep it there or counter the tendency of a normal neck strap to pull the clarinet in toward the body.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-12-06 02:26
Slings/neck straps in general don't do anything for posture nor do they take a significant amount of weight off the right arm, so if you have an injury to your right thumb, hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder, then you need something to take the weight off completely to give yourself a chance to recover without aggravating the injury.
The Quodlibet FHRED was ideal being a telescopic support that clipped to the thumbrest and the lower end rested on the chair seat or a block worn on a belt. The height was adjustable to get the ideal playing angle and you still had plenty of movement but no weight bearing onto your right hand. But they have since gone under and then RDG took the baton and produce the BHOB which is the same concept.
http://www.rdgwoodwinds.com/kickstand-bhob-clarinet-long-p-12593.html
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2015-12-06 08:35
I use it for sax. Works well, feels fine. Certainly better than a true "neck"strap.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2015-12-06 22:25
I've read reviews regarding the "clarinet kickstand" and folks have said that the clarinet is wobbly as it's only supported by the one point of contact with the chair. Now...if it came as a tripod...
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