The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Bass clarinet thumb rest

Author: Max S-D
Date: 2018-04-03 09:34

Not necessarily an answer to your question, but have you considered just removing it?

I was at my tech's shop with my old Selmer 33 bass and we did some keywork modification to the RH thumb keys. While we were working on exactly how we wanted to execute this, it became pretty clear to me playing (and him watching) that the thumb rest was just in the wrong place (much too low).

He unscrewed it from the body so that we could figure out what my hand wanted to do, with every intention on putting it back on, but once we had it off, I didn't feel like I needed it back. I always play with a peg or a neck/shoulder strap and would never, ever play the bass holding it by the thumb rest, nor do I think anyone should. The only real strain issues I've had with the bass have been when I'm using a neckstrap set too low and then lifted the instrument the last cm or two to my face with my right hand.

Now that I can't do that and just have to have the neck strap set at a correct height, I really do feel less/no strain in my right arm.

Maybe someday I'll put the thumb rest back on, but I can't think of a reason why I'd want to at this point. I met with another local player recently who took his thumb rest off of his 33 as well.

I'm not sure if this has been an endorsement of removing thumb rests or an indictment of the 33 and its awful thumb rest position. But I don't miss it at all.

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics