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Re: Thumb (and thumb rest) position

Author: kdk
Date: 2018-02-20 07:35

Caroline Smale wrote:

> I have same problem as Karl, in my case definitely age related
> too.

Well, it's comforting to know I have company.

> ... I had to move the A
> thumbrest considerably higher ( I left the base in same postion
> but silver soldered an extension arm to reposition the
> thumbrest fractionally above the level of RH 1 finger.)

Could you possibly attach a photo of this? Or send a photo to my email address (in my profile)? The resulting thumb placement "fractionally above the level of RH 1 finger" is exactly where I find the most comfort.

> In addition I added a cork platform about 1/4 thick on the body
> of clarinet where the thumb rests in order to open up the hand
> position. It always feels far too cramped with the thumb at
> wood level.

Interesting idea. I hadn't thought of that.

> Iwould also ad that I am starting to feel that my LH 1 finger
> is tending to slide downwards for similar reasons, but this is
> much harder to fix.
>

Yes, well I didn't mention my left hand index finger for the very reason that it's harder to fix. I suspect, since the thumb hole is in a fixed location, the only possible solutions for the left hand may be a plateau cover on either LH 1st finger (easier) or LH thumb in combination with a shortened register key so I can move my left thumb a little higher. The LH problem isn't as persistent so I'm inclined to try to solve the RH problem first.

> I think nature may be trying to give me a message here !!
>

Yes, but right now I'm trying to ignore the message.