The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: RefacerMan
Date: 2017-02-11 05:13
A friend of mine recently bought a beautiful N series Selmer low e-flat bass clarinet. One thing she wants changed is the thumb rest which curves over her thumb. The part that curves over is too long and too close so it wedges her thumb in. In addition the thumb rest is too low. So my question is what is available to use as a replacement thumb rest and where can we get a replacement thumb rest. Any information/help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: GeorgeL ★2017
Date: 2017-02-12 01:43
Has she considered leaving the thumb rest where it is, and putting her thumb on top of it? That's what I do with my Selmer Model 30. That way, her thumb actually will rest on the thumb rest.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: donald
Date: 2017-02-12 03:18
How old is the Selmer N series? On many older basses the curved thumb rest served a slightly different purpose than on modern basses (where the the neck is more curved- making holding the bass in a vertical position easier). The curved thumb rest has contact with both sides of the thumb- meaning that if the bass is leaning forward when you play you can still use the thumb to steady the instrument. A neck strap of course can be used to help steady the bass is a "leaning forward" position, but some players of old didn't like this. Having the thumb hold the bass by pulling toward the player also, in my experience, compromises technical facility by adding tension to the hand....
Of course, this may not be the case/intention on your bass, but it's an old fashioned playing style that is no longer popular (for good reason I believe- while I can play "old style" I'd much rather have the modern vertical playing position myself) and largely forgotten.
dn
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
|