 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Clairgirl
Date: 2002-04-26 00:20
Does anyone out there use the Kooiman Thumb rest? Right now I use a neckstrap because before my right hand would fall asleep sometimes when I was playing. I tried holding my friend's instrument today (who has the kooiman) and it felt so comfortable compared to mine. She told me at first she was missing keys when she went to play but now she is used to it. She has the cheaper plastic version. Has anyone experienced the benefits/ disadvantages of using one of these thumbrests? I would really like to get one (the metal version) but I don't know too much about them.
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Author: Ken
Date: 2002-04-26 00:53
I use a piece of silicone tubing over the thumb rest. It has to be stretched ever so slightly to fit over the stock rest. This may look a little funky at first but it is so comfortable. I would suggest giving this a try first before you change the rest because some of them require new holes to be drilled in the clarinet. As a bonus it’s also dirt cheap.
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Author: Kristen D.
Date: 2002-04-26 01:13
Hi,
This has been discussed a lot... The following link will take
you to my story about my experience with the Kooiman thumb rest.
http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=60663&t=60663
An update... I now have the original thumb rests back on both
of my clarinets. I am also using the BG neck strap with the elastic
strap. I've been using this since Christmas and have not had ANY
fatigue issues. It is always fun to experiment with new products
(I'm an accessory junkie) but in my honest opinion, the original
thumb rest is a much more secure option.
Best Regards,
Kristen D.
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Author: Clairgirl
Date: 2002-04-26 04:47
Thanks! After posting this, i did a search and found your story... I think for now i'll stick with my neckstrap too. (;
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Author: Tim
Date: 2002-04-26 14:08
I think that the problem with the Kooiman (student model) is that the clarinet rests away from the center of gravity. The torque that's generated causes the screws to loosen over time. I had this problem and eventually removed the thumb rest even though I liked the way it felt. I thought about using some Loctite, but wasn't sure if it would harm the wood. Oh well, maybe I'll try a piece of plactic tubing. From what source did you get this tubing that you are using?
Tim
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-04-26 14:56
Tim -
Any surgical supply store will have the tubing. (They're also called medical equipment stores.) Be sure to get the silicon tubing, which doesn't deteriorate the way rubber does. The tubing is light yellow, about 3/8" to 1/2" in outside diameter. Scrape the cork off your thumb rest, cut about 3/4" of the tubing with wire-cutting pliers, put a drop or two of water or saliva inside and slide it over the thumb rest.
I got a couple of feet of the tubing years ago and have cut pieces of of it whenever the current piece wears out, maybe once a year.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: William
Date: 2002-04-26 15:32
Ditto to all above referencies to using tubing over your existing thumb rest. It really is more comfortable--and cheap!!! Another suggestion I would offer is to have your present thumb rests moved upward so that your right hand first finger falls naturally and directly under the lower edge of the first finger tone hole. Many top pros recommend this adjustment and many current pro clarinets have adjustable thumb rests that make this alteration simple. This will free up your right hand little finger action and increase the comfort factor as well. If your instrument does not have adjustable rests, it will be necessary to drill new ligiture mounting holes, but this is no big deal--relativly easy proceedure--for any repairperson, and it will "in no way" adversly affect your clarinets performance. The old lig holes can be filled and will be quite invisable--unless you look "really close." Hope this helps--Good Clarineting!!!! (with comfort!!)
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Author: William
Date: 2002-04-26 15:43
Stanley Hasty (emminent retired Eastman School of Music Professor of Clarinet --teacher of many currently performing top pros) said in a local university clinic appearance, that he simply glued his thumb rests on his clarinet instead of drilling new holes. "Then, if I want to move them again, I simply take a hammer and knock them off." He also advocated an "off center" positioning to better accomodate the left-hand finger-key alienment--slightly up and to the right of center, I seem to recall. His point was, "whatever position is comfortable and frees the fingers to work more efficiently." And he also recommended non-water soluable glue to avoid mid-performance embarrassing occurances. Thought you might appreciate this added posting a little--again, Good Clarineting!!!!
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Author: Bob T
Date: 2002-04-26 19:25
As a result of Recurrent Strain Injury to my right arm, due to my profession, I was finding that unaided support for my relatively heavy clarinets (Eaton) was becoming painful and fatiguing. I asked Peter Eaton to suggest alternatives and whilst not necessarily recommending them, he put me in the picture regarding Kooiman supports. I now have the metal fully adjustable one and have been delighted with it. They're not inexpensive but are very well engineered and incredibly secure. Unlike KristenD I've had no problems with it. In fact, due to its ability to be adjusted in every direction, I have offset it from the central thumbrest position. I find my hand is more comfortably set to allow finger movement, and I can reach the side trill keys easily. When I transfer to bass, the difference in finger posture is not so noticable. It takes a little getting used to but the basic premise of transferring the weight of the instrument to the second joint of the right thumb has reduced the apparent weight enormously, and is making playing a delight again. If you consider the top Kooiman costs about the price of a good mouthpiece plus a box of decent reeds, it's money well spent if you're playing both pain- and fatigue- free.
So for all you RSI sufferers, give it a try - it may Prolong Active Life !!
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Author: Kristen D.
Date: 2002-04-26 21:07
In response to Bob T,
Unlike Bob, I tried the STUDENT (plastic) model--as mentioned in my story. If I had tried the professional model, I may have had a more positive experience. I was just trying to cut costs. I have no
concrete opinion about the pro model because I have not tried it. I wish I had gone ahead and "shelled out" the bucks the first time
around. It may have saved me a lot of stress. However, I'm still
happy with my current situation.
In response to William,
IMHO, I agree that moving the thumb rest up is ideal for those
players who sit when they play (ie, orchestras, opera pits, wind
bands). These players have the option of resting the bell on their
chair between the knees (and a lot of them do). I have been
involved in many debates with my teachers and colleagues and have
experimented with different positions. Through my own experiences,
I have found that if you are a "standing" performer most of the
time, then moving the thumb rest up shifts the weight of the
instrument making the balance slightly "off"--it actually puts more
strain on your wrist and hand. I always encourage people to try
and see for yourself. Everyone is different. What might work for
one player may not for another. I just wanted to share my findings.
Best Regards,
Kristen D.
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