 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tetiana
Date: 2002-09-06 20:52
A couple of weeks ago I started having some pain in my right wrist, radiating from the base of my thumb into my forearm. At times it would truly hurt but then would only feel stiff and sore; next day the pain would disappear altogether but, ouch, then come back with a vengeance. But I continued to play, using impeccable logic - if I ignore it, it'll go away.
Well last Thursday it hurt enough for me to go to this site and read all the wisdom and lore on wrist pain, special thumbrests, devices to rest the bell on, straps etc. I of course disregarded all the advice about stopping playing - until this past Monday when I came to my senses.
During this week of enforced rest I have invested in a neck strap and had the shop turn my thumbrest upside down (they don't have the fancy ergonomic gizmos in stock and I was chicken about actually having them drill new holes in my beloved instrument, not really knowing anyway, where they should locate them).
This morning I gingerly tried things out. My wrist is still a bit tender, a bit stiff, but doesn't really hurt as such. I found the neck strap definitely took a lot of weight off my wrist but it feels very wierd, quite uncomfortable, like a dog on a leash. Worse, the strap seemed to interfere in a major way with my left thumb, particularly when I played across the break. My questions:
1. How snug should the neck strap be? (it's a Clarion, elasticized one with a velcro strip and I'll be darned if I know where to attach it. Too snug and the mouthpiece is halfway down my throat, much looser than that, it doesn't seem to be doing its work).
2. Is the fact that it interferes with my left thumb an indication that a) I've fastened it wrong? b) I'm holding the instrument at an incorrect angle? c) something else?
3. One of the suggestions I read in the different threads was to rest the bell of the clarinet on the knees. To do this, I either have to slouch down in the chair so that my knees push out far enough, or tilt the clarinet at a different angle (not so good for the embouchure, especially when the mouthpiece winds up next to my nose). Maybe I have to grow longer legs so that my knees protrude further out and until then, would I be correct that this solution is not for me?
4. Reversing the thumbrest turns out to have been not such a bad idea. (Although this new position throws off playing the F# with the side key - I sense this is something I can get used to). Question though: I find that the instrument is now resting a lot more on the top of my thumb rather than on the side. Is this normal? In this position I seem more conscious of how very short the thumbrest actually is. Would you recommend that I look around for a bigger one? Or will I eventually get used to this? Is this perhaps due to the fact that in the upside down position the flange of the thumbrest is south of the "ledge" (the part of the thumbrest that sticks out), and thus competing with the thumb for airspace whereas in the reverse position, the flange being top of the thumbrest presents no competition to the thumb which tucks in snug right on the wood.
5. I realize I have to take the wrist pain seriously. But currently it's not really painful, just a bit tender. I'd like to phase practicing back in. What do you advise? If I wait much longer before I start playing again, my embouchure will turn to mush, I will forget all fingerings and I won't know how to assemble the instrument.
I play a Buffet R-13 and use a little Yamaha rubber thingee on the thumbrest. I've been playing about 3 years, and usually practice every day, about 1 hour or a bit more. I also play the alto recorder which I practice several times a week (I stopped that too this week). Does anyone know if the recorder playing will exacerbate the wrist pain?
Thank you for all your valuable advice.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-09-06 21:13
tetiana, please consider the following, recognizing that I have never done it. I understand your reluctance to drill holes in your clarinet, but there's not much wrong with drilling holes into an adjustable thumbrest -- at least, so I would think. Check with your technician about this.
This probably will not cure your difficulty, but it may help.
Regards,
John
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2002-09-06 21:30
I have the same neckstrap as you. I've found that you have to tinker with the length A LOT until you find just the right spot for a normal playing position and then don't mess with it. It also helps if you velcro the end on at an angle rather than parallel to the other part (hard to explain...it ends up forming a "V"). This might get it out of your way a bit. How close do you keep your thumb to the clarinet when you aren't covering the hole?
My sympathies. I hope your wrist is better.
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Author: tetiana
Date: 2002-09-06 21:33
Thanks John for your reply. My thumbrest is not an adjustable one. The R13 I play is the regular model, not the Pestige. I took a look at the adjustable thumbrests (the ones that usually come with the Prestige model) at the shop. No good - had they retrofitted it on my instrument, I would have been albe to notch the thumbrest south of its current postion, but not north, which, according to all I have read on this site, is where it should head.
tetiana
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Author: ken
Date: 2002-09-06 23:12
Tetiana, I had 2 extra sets of thumbrest holes custom drilled into my 1975 R-13 over 15 years ago by Mike Hammer of Philadelphia and have had no problems with chipping or cracking to date. I did so because I just preferred a standard thumbrest, couldn't get comfortable with a screw type adjustable and wanted to experiment with right hand position. If it's done properly and at the right depth there shouldn't be a problem. I had Mike drill 2 sets 1/8 inch "above" in succession.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-09-06 23:21
Tet: I can sympathise with your problem as my right wrist bothers me also. I tried the neckstrap and my feelings were similar to yours. I don't have the degree of pain that you seem to have but my fingers do get numb necessitating cessation of playing. It would appear that some kind of change in thumb rest position would be beneficial but I can only suggest experimentation. Rest also is helpful.
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Author: Heidi
Date: 2002-09-07 01:36
Hello Tetiana!
I'm sorry you're having difficulty with wrist pain. I have had wrist pain for a long time (partly because it's already weakened from an unfortunate break in had in 7th grade). Anyway, I also play with a neckstrap and found that it didn't take too long to get used to it. However, I'm on a different model strap. Mine is a BG. It does not involve velcro and works very much like a tie. It's very easy to adjust, the elastic is a bit tougher than the one you have and has an easier time holding the instrument because of that. I've have found it an invaluable aid in playing. I would definately suggest this kind of neckstrap if you need one.
About the pain in your wrist. The saying "No pain, no gain" does NOT apply to music. If you have pain anywhere something is wrong..including when it's in your wrist. If your wrist starts to hurt and you feel things stiffening up, take a 10-15 min. break and go back. Never let it start shooting up your arm. I've been very near on the verge of having tendonitis, etc...Just remember to rest...if it gets any worse, consult a sports medicene expert. Just don't go on playing while you're hurting... it could cause more damage than practicing could improve your playing.
I hope things get better!!!
Take care,
Heidi
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Author: E. Thomas
Date: 2002-09-07 17:03
Very sorry about the wrist pain! You're wise to look for advice.
If I may throw-in my two-cents worth, please permit me to advise that
when you hold the clarinet, make sure both wrists are relatively straight and in agreement with one another. Overly bent wrists are in open invitation to ulnar and/or median nerve compression. You might want to look at my article in "The Clarinet", Vol.20, No. 3 (May-June 1993): "Anatomical Essentials in Clarinet Hand Position".
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2002-09-07 21:15
IMO, thumbrest placement is wrong. It's in most unnatural position with really sucks. The most comfortable position would be when your thumb and index fingers are aligned together. Reversing the thumb rest helps a lot, but it's not high enough. If you have a lot pain move your thumbrest up (towards mouthpiece).......V
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Author: Kat
Date: 2002-09-08 01:11
Another bit of advice:
Unfortunately it won't stop the pain or anything, but for healthy tendons, etc., you should think about using your arm in a rotating motion. For example, hold your forearm still while you wiggle your middle and ring fingers. Put your left hand on your right forearm (closer to the elbow) while you do this, and you will feel the tendons moving around. This isn't always the best way for the fingers to work. If you then keep your left hand there and move your fingers by using the larger muscles that ROTATE your hand (as if you're turning a doorknob), you will keep those tendons healthier.
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2002-09-08 04:40
Consult a Doctor, preferably an orthopedist, and take your clarinet with you. Wrist pain is nothing to play around with.
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Author: David Dow
Date: 2002-09-09 03:58
I would hasten to add that Alexander technique will adress the issues related to what causes problems due to overuse and strain. I think you should examine all aspects of your playing technique and then you may find the factors contributing to the problem in the first place. Also check with a Music teacher who may be able to send you to a doctor to address what may the early stages of overuse or carpal tunnel syndrome. Bests wishes and good Luck.
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Author: msroboto
Date: 2002-09-09 04:14
The Ton Kooiman thumbrest does not require that you drill new holes.
http://www.tonkooiman.com/Default.htm
I have used one for a while. If you try the plastic one you might want to make sure you can get a black one. I had a yellow one looked very wierd.
It definitely helped me.
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Author: tetiana
Date: 2002-09-09 15:09
Hi Micaela
Thank you for the advice about the neckstrap. I hate to admit it, but your question about how close my thumb is to the instrument when not covering the hole, is right on the mark. I know that my thumb ought to move only marginally away from the instrument - tiny movements mean less effort spent, and less mileage to cover when the thumb needs to return to the hole. The neck strap makes me conscious of the fact that, ahem, I probably do move my thumb a mite too far from the instrument. So maybe the neck strap will be a good reminder about this? Thanks again.
tetiana
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Author: tetiana
Date: 2002-09-09 15:12
Hello Heidi
Thanks for your advice. Who makes the "BG" strap and do you know where I can get it? Is it totally out of the way of the left thumb? Where does it attach on the instrument?
Tetiana
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Author: tetiana
Date: 2002-09-09 15:13
Thank you very much for your advice. Is your article available on-line?
Tetiana
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Author: tetiana
Date: 2002-09-09 15:15
Dear Ken
Thank you for your note. Did you find that repositioning the thumb rest in this fashion took care of the problem entirely? Do you use a neck strap?
tetiana
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-09-09 16:16
Tetiana -
I had your problem, and it's no joke. You're right to look for help. Trying to "play through it" only makes things worse.
I suggest going first to a physical therapists who specializes in the hand problems of musicians. A good source could be one of the flutists in the Montreal Symphony, since the flute hand position often produces problems. If you can't find someone, contact me privately and I'll put you in touch with my therapist, who will probably know someone in Montreal.
To avoid further problems, it's very important to change the position of your thumb rest, or even have keys altered, so that the top of your right hand and forearm are in a straight line. Cocking the right wrist back is a very common source of trouble. Again, if you can't find someone in Montreal, I know several people in New York who do that kind of work.
I tried several neck straps. The elastic BG has a nice leather flap with a slit in it that fits over the thumb rest, but I didn't care for the bouncy elastic. I ended up getting a Neotech Soft Strap sax neckstrap -- see http://www.wwbw.com/search/?src=neck+strap&x=12&y=7 -- which has a wide, comfortable padded collar, removing the sax hook and putting on the BG leather flap.
I tried the Fhred stand at a convention, but found it "tippy," at least for the version that attaches to your belt. The floor-standing version may be better. See http://quodlibet.com/FHREDFrames.html.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2002-09-09 16:55
Dear Tetiana:
I am in total accord with Mr. Shaw on all fronts. Remember to not over practice at this time, instead spend a lot of time relaxing and be very careful to empahasize a set up that is not too resistant and yet is easy to control. I am a firm advocate in The Alexander technique and this is to manage stress in playing situations---many performers like myself have found that one is blind to what the body says during a performance one then wakes up the next day with a terrible problem (like soreness or over fatigue). The main thing is to play with ease without damage to our bodies. A result of not listening what the body is saying is carpal tunnel or overuse problems like muscle pulls and even back pain! I also practice with the bell on my knee and if you can do this they may help somewhat. Diet is also important and proper rest, a thing alot of students have trouble with because of the difficult schedule they have.
Sincerely D D
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Author: Ken
Date: 2002-09-09 23:52
Tet, the reason I had 2 additional sets of holes drilled was I simply didn’t care for the feel of an adjustable thumb rest (one I swapped off an Opus) and was experimenting with right hand position; more specifically a method/technique by Elsa Ludwig-Verdehr on maximizing finger dexterity and proficiency. In my situation it was not due to pain, a developing condition or discomfort with weight distribution. I do not or have ever used a neck strap however I came close in a recent recording session where I was on the horn 40+ hours a week (X2) and clearly over doing it.
Before seriously considering drilling extra holes I'd recommend fidgeting a little more with your neck strap, it's probably still the best preventative solution to combating pain along with moderation of playing. However, to be of additional help (and not take up excess Board bandwidth) I’ll email you my own method that I use and teach on proper application of “right hand and thumb rest” position. Respectfully, KEN
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Author: Heidi
Date: 2002-10-23 15:53
Hi again..sorry it's taken awhile to post again.
I got it through a Muncy Winds magazine..but i'm sure you can get it at any one of our wonderful sponcers here at sneezy. It is totally out of the way of the left thumb. It attatches with a little leather piece over the right thumb rest that is quite comfortable and out of the way. I really feel that it has helped my playing ALOT!
Hope this helps!
Heidi
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Author: tetiana
Date: 2002-10-24 19:14
Dear Heidi
You are unbelievably nice to have remembered! Actually I'm quite touched by all the kind words of wisdom and encouragement to my post!
A brief update. I've been playing with the thumbrest in the upside down position and my velcro-elastic neck strap for the past 6 weeks or so and there has been a definite improvement. I've gotten somewhat used to the neck strap, with all of its getting in the way of my left thumb and all. Actually it reminds me to keep nice and close to the instrument and not to allow my thumb to fly off to a huge distance. But your BG strap sounds better. I'll look for it.
Thanks again!
Tetiana 
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