 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: abs8987
Date: 2016-10-01 10:35
Hello all! I am writing regarding a certain clarinet accessory that I'm hoping someone other than I have seen.
When I was in college, my clarinet professor had a wrist support that he used instead of his thumb rest. It was basically an arm-type mechanism that was attached to the bottom ring of the upper joint, arched up slightly, and reached over to his wrist. This made it so that the weight of the clarinet was not on his right thumb.
From what I can recall, I'm certain that he purchased it online, and I'm also certain that it wasn't custom made. I simply can't remember the name of the company who made it.
At any rate, if anyone can help me locate this "wrist rest" of sorts, I will be extremely thankful.
Sincerely,
Alegra
P.S.
If it helps, he played on two Selmer Recital clarinets (Bb and A), and the "wrist rest" was easily removed and transported between clarinets.
But now, at length, I have the happiness to know it is a rising and not a setting Sun. - Benjamin Franklin
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2016-10-01 17:59
The late NYC repairman Jimmy Yan made a wrist rest like the one you describe, more elaborate than the Kooiman. I thought it was very clumsy to adjust and I never heard of anyone who used it. Resting the bell on my knee was good enough.
I got lots of help from a physical therapist who specializes musicians' hand problems.
Ken Shaw
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2016-10-01 19:12
The Ton Kooiman (mentioned above) is likely what you're talking about. It doesn't reach all the way to the wrist, but puts the pressure more towards where your thumb attaches to the hand, not on that little knuckle towards the end of your thumb.
It comes with two backing plates that replace the standard thumbrest on two clarinets so you can switch it between two clarinets as needed.
Best of luck.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: abs8987
Date: 2016-10-06 06:38
Tony F., thank you for your response. Unfortunately, I have already visited that site in past weeks and none of that company's products are what I'm looking for. They sell only different types of thumb rests--I am looking specifically for a rest that reaches all the way to the wrist.
Thanks again for your time and input!
Sincerely,
Alegra
But now, at length, I have the happiness to know it is a rising and not a setting Sun. - Benjamin Franklin
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Author: abs8987
Date: 2016-10-06 06:42
Hank Lehrer: Thank you for your response. I am familiar with the clarinet positioner, which has a type of arm that rests on your abdomen and supports the clarinet in that way. Unfortunately, that is not what I am looking for. As I said, I am looking for a wrist rest that has an arm that actually reaches to your wrist. I have searched the internet countless times, upside-down, right-side up, you name it. It's looking like I may just have to contact my old college clarinet professor, though I hate bothering him.
Thanks again for your input!
Sincerely,
Alegra
But now, at length, I have the happiness to know it is a rising and not a setting Sun. - Benjamin Franklin
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Author: abs8987
Date: 2016-10-06 06:47
sfalexi: Thank you for your response. I can see why you would think that the Kooiman is what I'm looking for, but I've visited that site many times (including shortly before I posted my OP here on this forum) and they do not have what I'm looking for. I am specifically looking for a wrist rest like the one my old college professor has. It's been 9 years, but my memory hasn't faded that badly, lol--it was definitely a wrist rest. I recall that he had issues with this right hand that led to the purchase of said wrist rest.
Thanks again for your input!
Sincerely,
Alegra
But now, at length, I have the happiness to know it is a rising and not a setting Sun. - Benjamin Franklin
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Author: abs8987
Date: 2016-10-06 06:48
Ken Shaw: Thank you for your response. Is there perhaps a chance that you might now the URL to a website that sells what you are describing? I have been searching for this wrist rest for years! lol
Thanks again for your input!
Sincerely,
Alegra
But now, at length, I have the happiness to know it is a rising and not a setting Sun. - Benjamin Franklin
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Author: abs8987
Date: 2016-10-06 06:58
Thank you all for your responses and input. I apologize for my tardy responses, my life keeps me pretty busy. As I mentioned to one person who responded, I may just have to give in and contact my former college clarinet professor. I was sincerely hoping to avoid bothering him and finding the item on my own, but the more people I talk to about it--including friends from college who also played clarinet under his instruction--I am realizing that the company that made his wrist rest is either out of business or that the company may simply have discontinued making that particular type of rest (it wasn't exactly a best-seller, lol).
Again, I appreciate the responses from all who have taken time to aid me in my search for this wrist rest. I realize that you all have lives to attend to, so it really means a lot to me. Have a nice week, everyone!
Sincerely,
Alegra
But now, at length, I have the happiness to know it is a rising and not a setting Sun. - Benjamin Franklin
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Author: donald
Date: 2016-10-07 15:09
Kia ora,
James Fry, and Australian who plays in the Auckland Philharmonia here in NZ, played for a while with a wrist support that you might find interesting...
I never got to look at it but I recall (from maybe 2006, 2007?) him playing with a strap attached to his wrist/hand that went down and was attached to the clarinet either at the bell tenon, or a hook that went into the bell? It took the weight of the clarinet off the thumb. If you'd like I could contact him and ask if he can provide more details.
When I was recovering from surgery on a badly broken wrist I used a "clarinet spike" that a friend made for me. A long metal spike (like a cello spike) was attached to the clarinet at the bell tenon and took the weight of the clarinet off the right wrist. I haven't used it in some years, but for a while was very useful (I can remember a day where I had a long APO rehearsal in the morning, then an afternoon rehearsing Grand Pianola music (John Adams) with ACO, then had to practise that evening- I wouldn't have made it through the day without the spike!). If you'd like I could take a photo of this so you can see better how it works. Was a bit of a pain to carry around (wouldn't get it on an aeroplane in there post 9/11 days).
dn
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2016-10-07 22:41
Hi Donald -
I would very much like to see photos of your 'clarinet spike'. I have a beginning student with a severe muscular condition that keeps him in a wheelchair. He is able to manipulate the clarinet well but not to hold the weight of it. His dad is trying to find or fabricate such a device for him, but hasn't yet. Now that the student is getting into right hand notes, it's really well past time. Would very much appreciate any photos/information you could provide!
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Author: jthole
Date: 2016-10-13 09:00
You could always ask Ton if he is interested in designing something like that. You're probably not the only person looking for something like that.
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Author: Presto ★2017
Date: 2016-10-14 12:00
There is an interesting support option at Freewing.fi that I've been tempted to try. Quite a neat application. Eyewateringly expensive though.
Jim
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2016-10-14 23:54
Thanks Donald. I'm forwarding your pictures to the student's dad. I appreciate you taking the time.
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Author: donald
Date: 2016-10-15 15:04
re the clarinet spike....
I find it very relaxing to play with, and that by adjusting the spike I can easily play with a sharper angle than is illustrated in the photographs.
That said- other players who have tried it have not always agreed with me... one student borrowed it for 3 weeks (when preparing for an important exam) and offered to buy it off me- she found it greatly multiplied the time she could work on technical stuff without experiencing wrist/thumb pain.
Others have used it and agreed it worked, but never liked it enough to get one made for themselves. A couple of people just downright hated it.
If the instrument is not secure at the tenon, the instrument can wobble a bit which is not a disaster (especially if your alternative is not being able to play at all).
If I was to have one made now I'd probably look into a more secure way of attaching the spike to the lower joint (a clamp around the ring at the bell tenon?) though that might be more expensive. However what you see works as long at the fit at the bell tenon is secure, and the joint is firmly corked.
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