 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: marcia
Date: 2019-07-09 01:41
After playing for many years without using a neck strap, I am thinking I might need to start using one soon, as I have started having some pain in my right wrist. For those of you who do use a neck strap, and play in a situation where you need to change from "A" to "Bb" frequently (as in orchestra) how do you deal with the different length of the instruments? Do you need to adjust the neck strap after you have switched, or are you set up to not have to do that? Needing to adjust the neck strap would complicate things as sometimes there is very little time to even change the mouthpiece. Thoughts, suggestions.....
Thanks
Marcia
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Author: kdk
Date: 2019-07-09 04:50
The strap hooks to the thumb rest - either to a built-in ring or one that attaches to the thumb rest. The A and Bb clarinets are not so different in length until the lower section, so the thumb rests are more or less the same distance from the mouthpiece. When I've used a neck strap, I've never noticed a meaningful difference. I've used the elastic kind that you pull up fairly high and let it stretch down to where your thumb is holding the instrument, so maybe the elastic is stretching slightly farther for the A.
I have found it much easier to switch since I had my older thumb rests replaced with newer (adjustable) ones that have rings built into the design. If I had a really quick change to manage, though, I would either skip the strap for the passages on either side of the change or transpose one or the other passage to make the change either earlier or later during a longer rest. But for reasonable instrument switches, it's easy enough with the built-in rings.
Karl
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Author: marcia
Date: 2019-07-09 06:12
I just did a side by side comparison, and the thumb rests are about an inch different in position. Yesterday I was experimenting with my sax neck strap and a piece of twine. The correct length for one, was not satisfactory for the other. When it was too long there was still a lot of weight on my right thumb, when it was too short, the mouthpiece was jammed too far inside my mouth. Is there anyone who makes an attachment of the correct length for each instrument rather than one for both?
Marcia
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Author: igalkov
Date: 2019-07-09 11:27
I attached a metal key ring to a thumb rest of an A. Works perfectly.
And I can strongly recommend elastic strap as mentioned above. My regular non-stretchable sax one didn't work for me at all
Post Edited (2019-07-09 11:31)
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Author: Luuk ★2017
Date: 2019-07-09 12:35
I use the elastic BG strap since a month or so. The length is adapted by shoving up or down the plastic 'node' between the neck piece and the hook. Position is fixed by friction while the system is under tension. Just release the tension to the string and move the 'node'. That's all, this works really fast.
An idea to minimize the difference between A and Bb might be to solder a long ring or hook to the thumbrest of the A, and a short one to the Bb, so the point where the neck strap hook is attached is at the same distance form your neck for both instruments.
Regards,
Luuk
Philips Symphonic Band
The Netherlands
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Author: marcia
Date: 2019-07-09 20:19
Thanks for the suggestions. Any more thoughts also appreciated.
Marcia
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Author: Erez Katz
Date: 2019-07-09 20:46
http://www.sfoxclarinets.com/Accessories.html
Stephen Fox has an interesting neck strap accessory worth considering.
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2019-07-09 21:44
The BG elastic strap has been a good solution for me. The elasticity covers the difference in lengths between the Bb and A without having to readjust. If I do readjust the mechanism is very quick and reliable. The padded part is more comfortable than others I have used.
Anders
Post Edited (2019-07-09 21:45)
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2019-07-10 16:56
I use the Claricord. Elastic support. Has two button hole style slots in the leather tab. I just use one but maybe they can help with the Bb/A length differences.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2019-07-10 17:32
What Mojo said. The two slots in the leather tab are designed for the two different instruments (Bb/A).
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2019-07-14 10:02
I have one of these and it is great:
https://www.reeds-direct.co.uk/clarinet-support-to-suppliment-the-use-o.html
It takes the full weight of the clarinet, so I can play no-hands.
I wear a sax strap with two shoulder straps a bit like this one:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Saxophone-Quality-Leather-Material-Shoulders/dp/B01M1HQJKR/ref=sr_1_23?keywords=saxophone+sling&qid=1563084007&s=gateway&sr=8-23
which is good because the weight is then not on my neck either.
If I want to change the height of the clarinet it is very quick. I just need to slide the length adapters up or down on the front of my chest. I have done this mid-tune in a clarinet exam, without breaking stride, so it's definitely possible.
Good luck!
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Author: SunnyDaze
Date: 2019-07-14 10:09
I just checked and my harness is a BG one like this:
https://chimesmusic.com/accessories/wind-accessories/wind-instrument-straps/bg-a-t-saxophone-harness-comfort-strap-ladies/
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Author: marcia
Date: 2020-01-04 02:12
I started off trying an elastic Claricord, with the tab that has two slots in it, but found it not satisfactory. So I went to my repair guy, had a lengthy chat with him about exactly what I was wanting, and why. He said he could do that. I picked them up today and just had a quick play test on both instruments with my new, non elastic Protec neck strap. Best thing since sliced bread! No need to change length of the neck strap when changing between the two instruments. Very happy. 
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