 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Eric
Date: 1999-06-14 02:39
I have been having pain and discomfort when I play. I went to the doctor and found out that my right thumb ligament is permanently stretched out. That was two years ago. Ever since I have been using a neck strap which helps a lot. I was wondering if anyone else has encountered this and how do you help solve the problem. I also have some pain in my wrist when I play and sometimes when I don't play. Any suggestions or observations are welcome. Thanks
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Author: Melanie
Date: 1999-06-14 03:59
I have suffered similar discomfort. At All-State this year, I played so much that I lost the feeling in my right thumb and then had shots of pain run up my lower arm. I think my problem is that I rest my clarinet right on the joint, but I cut off a vein somewhere along the line. This circulation thing has been a problem before when some fingers locked up, mainly my ring fingers on both hands.
Lately, I have been resting my bell on my knees when playing. I know it's not the proper way to play, but it has helped. What kind of neckstrap do you have?
Best of luck in finding a permanent solution!
Melanie
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 1999-06-14 15:27
In addition to the neck strap, you can buy foam rubber padding for your thumb rest. I believe one brand is called ThumbSavers. They may help a little.
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-06-14 16:33
Actually, resting the clarinet's bell on your knee is a well known trick for giving your right thumb a much needed rest and at the same time, giving your embouchure an extra performance edge.
Try this trick. Play open G with just your thumb supporting the horn. Next, play open G with your right hand fingers covering the lower tone holes. Then, try both of these fingerings but with resting the bell on your knee. If you suddenly find life a little easier resting the horn's bell on your knee, then use the trick any time you can.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 1999-06-14 20:43
Yes to the above, in addition to the knee and Thumb-Saver, I have found that on some cl's the Thumb Rest for me is too low, causing a strain in my hand as well as harming quick access to the rt-hand L F low E/B key for cross-fingering. So, depending on the TR, I merely inverted it, using the rubber TS to compensate for the curvature, in effect raising it a bit. Of course you can have a tech do this or more, but it has made extended playing more enjoyable for me. Don
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Author: lis
Date: 1999-06-14 21:08
I have a lot of problems with my wrist which is from tendonitus. I used to rest my clarinet on my knee to help, but my teacher said it blocked the sound.....so I got a neckstrap. I also use a Thumbsaver. When I'm playing for longer than 1 hour at a time, I also wear a brace. It seems like a lot to do, but it's helping.
I have also been told that wearing a copper bracelete could help, so that's next on my list to try.
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 1999-06-14 21:17
This is not to give an opinion on whether someone with thumb or wrist problems should rest their clarinet on their knee, but since the sound comes primarily out of the tone holes and not the bell, except for the low E, blocking the sound isn't necessarily an argument for keeping it off your knee.
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-06-14 21:43
Pros rest their soprano clarinets on their knees all of the time. Even Ridenour's Fingering Book recommends it as a way to get your right thumb into the fingerings. Guess you could say that this trick is one of the worst kept secrets in the business. So, use it if it works for you.
Also, if you are in pain, STOP. Take a break if you can. Use all of the supports and braces you need to be comfortable and play well. Remember, the clarinet is a much more flexible instrument than we give it credit for, so set yourself up to be comfortable playing it. This will make your playing much better almost right off the bat because you aren't in pain anymore and your self confidence will get a turbo boost, too. So, go for it.
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-06-15 00:30
In addition to all the suggestions already posted here, I have seen at least one catalog with a stand to support the clarinet WHILE PLAYING. Although this could be a bit of a nuisance, if things are really bad, it might be worth a try.
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Author: Lelia
Date: 1999-06-15 16:14
Also, don't forget to mention the continuing pain whenever you see your doctor. The doctor is likely to forget or just assume there's no problem if you don't mention it, since it's not a life-threatening disorder that needs constant, vigilant monitoring. You say the condition is permanent, but medical problems can change over time, sometimes unexpectedly, and sometimes new treatments become available, too. Please don't give up on the idea that maybe you can get some professional help for this problem someday.
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Author: Stephanie aka Benny
Date: 1999-06-17 13:37
i have also experienced this. i use a neckstrap when i know that i will be practicing for along time. and i just have to take breaks. i can't practice for an hour and half at a time very effectivly so i have to break it up. --hey and during my breaks right now, since i am working on the Stravinsky 3 pieces, i am reading Stravinsky's Biography by Eric Walter White!! it always helps me to know about the composer!! hope that i could help and best of luck!!
--keep swinging--
benny*
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Author: Abbie
Date: 1999-06-18 02:15
I've had the same type of pain. It mainly is caused when I am lifting the clarinet up after it had been resting on my lap. Basically, it was a semi-sharp pain that radiated up my wrist to my forearm. I was told that the pain was caused by a pinched nerve. By working on increasing the strength of my muscles in my forearm, the pain has decreased...but it does come back occasionally.
:-) Abbie
P.S. What effect do copper bracelets have? Do they actually work?
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Author: Arun
Date: 1999-06-21 01:45
I attend a Military Academy in Georgia, and since I am in the marching band, i get that pain very often. And since, i have to stand at attention for most of the parades, i can't rest my clarinet on my knee, and we arne't allowed neckstraps so much help is ruled out, i also have one of those thumbsavers and it doesn't provide much help, the best that i have found in my peculiar circumstances is to shake my arm and repeatedly flex and de-flex my fingers in a sorta wave fashion. hope that helped.
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Author: sue
Date: 1999-06-23 19:56
Have you tried the FHRED. You can get info on this thru their e-mail address--QUODLIBET.COM It's a great invention.
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