 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Scott
Date: 2001-06-22 14:16
Hello,
I am a beginner (~6mo playing) and I am curious to know if the position of the thumbrest can effect playing. I am renting a Selmer CL300 and I find my right thumb gets pretty sore after about a half hour of practice. I also find that reaching for the alternate B key with my right pinky finger is very difficult but made easier if I put my thumb above the thumbrest.
Actually, I think my real question is - does experience allow one to overcome these difficulties or can individual differences warrant buying a clarinet with an adjustable thumbrest?
Thanks for your thoughts on this matter.
Scott
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-06-22 14:59
Scott, at the risk of sounding stupid the easy and quick answer is "Yes" and "No". Some folk never seem to adjust to the factory thumbrest, others do, over time. The reach of the right hand pinky's is largly determined by the size of your hands, and growth, both in playing ability and span. IMHO it is too early (in your playing capabilities) to worry about this or to throw money at it unless you have an unlimited amount and are a "clarinet gadgeteer." Suggestion. Wait another six months and re-think the problem. If it still exists, do something.
Bob A
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 2001-06-22 15:05
Also have your instructor check your hand position. The ability to reach the alternate B can easily be impacted by your overall hand position. Many beginnners have their right hand to far under the instrument trying to support the weight. The middle of the thumbrest should straddle the line where the base of the thumb nail meets the flesh.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2001-06-22 18:44
Why not just have your local repairperson re-locate your present thumbrest a little higher on your clarinet? Some people take them off all simply turn them upside down but that difference in position would be more drastic (and perhaps too much) than if your rest was moved slightly higher. It is a simple thing for any repair expert to do. In any case, with more experiance, your thumb will become stronger and your little fingers more agile. The move upward might help--I know that it helped my playing. Good clarineting!!!!!!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Irwin
Date: 2001-06-22 23:44
I played an R-13 for 2 years that didn't have an adjustable thumbrest. Throughout that time, whenever possible, I always played B natural with my left hand. Then, I began taking lessons from a teacher who is forcing me to reverse that habit, i.e, he wants me to play B natural with my right hand whenever possible (i.e., he'll let me play with the left hand if it is preceded or followed by a C natural). Anyway, shortly after beginning lessons, I got a Leblanc Opus with an adjustable rest - and it made it much easier to reach B natural with the right hand.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: SALT
Date: 2001-06-23 03:17
I think that it all just depends on how your hands are made. I know that I've had problems for a long time with my thumbrest being too low and I just recently flipped it upside down and it's still too low but is much more bearable than it was before. I say try flipping it first since that's something you can do yourself and if that doesn't work then go to the shop or get an adjustable thumbrest.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Anji
Date: 2001-06-23 13:49
Get the claricord neck strap.
It attaches without permanent changes and will take the weight of the horn.
The Selmer is plastic, right? The shop is within their rights to decline such a repair, moving the thumbrest up, but ask anyway.
Have it set so the index finger and thumb are directly opposite when you play the B below middle C.
anji
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Scott
Date: 2001-06-24 01:43
Hello Again,
Thank you very much for your replies. Both the advice given and the recognition that this problem was not mine alone were very heartening. I am finding that I am getting better in nailing the right handed B-natural so I think I will tough it out for a while. However, I am looking to buy my first clarinet so thanks as well to those who advised looking for an adjustable thumbrest horn.
Scott
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-06-24 02:32
Some models of clarinet - and from memory student American Selmers come to mind - have particularly awkward finger positions, especially for the low spatulas. Try the feel of some different clarinets.
Try turning the thumb rest over.
If you find a position you like it does not (i.e. SHOULD not) cost much to have the rest installed in a different position.
The thumb is not designed for carrying weight on its side. For some people this problem just does not go away. They sometimes resort to a neck strap. A technician can easily add a hook to a thumb rest.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-06-24 22:58
Good discussion above. I have long been an advocate of "proper-for-the-individual" location of the thumbrest, and have done so by inversion and use of TR cushions on all of my cls., and do so for those I repair and/or sell, with consultation. To me it makes sense to play as comfortably as possible with the ability to reach ALL keys, not to just accept manufacturer's "generalized" construction. Of course some players will find that an "adjustable" TR is desireable, but experimentation is educational!! Luck and happy playing, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-06-25 15:31
Another quick and easy suggestion: Cut a short length (about 1/2") of automotive fuel line hose (the black rubber hose) and slip it over the factory thumbrest.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jim
Date: 2001-06-26 04:37
I starrted on the clarinet as a very slightly built 11 year old. (Thank goodness it was the clarinet, a trombone had more mass than I did!) Sadly, I no longer have the slight build! The pain in my thumb was the limiting factor on my practice time, not my face muscles. I wish neck straps had been available to me then, it would have saved a great deal of pain! I actually remember resting the bell on a low stool to take the pressure off.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-06-26 13:54
I have just been working on a rather new Buffet with an adjustable thumb rest. To adjust it one removes a screw and replaces it through another of about 6 holes which are partially joined. Is that a standard Buffet type?
What is silly is that in its highest position it is still lower than a typical standard position, which most players regard as too low anyway. In other words it is effectively not an adjustable thumb rest. It would need to be moved 15 to 20 mm further up the instrument to be useful. A sales gimmick?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
