 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: TDC
Date: 2002-09-21 21:04
Anybody have any ideas about how to "cushion up" the right thumb rest? The little cork "cushion" is nearly gone and I'm about on bare metal now. It never was much of a cushion anyway.
I've seen thumb rests with a little section of soft transparent plastic tubing slipped over them. Where does one get it?
I don't want to buy some patented pad attachment if possible.
Thanks,
Tom DC
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Author: Marge
Date: 2002-09-21 23:03
After the stick-on cushion that came with my replacement thumbrest started coming off repeatedly (and finally was lost), I used a snip of appropriately-sized rubber tubing from an automotive store. It was such a tiny amount from the roll that the clerk simply gave it to me.
Some time thereafter, I chanced to spy a purpose-made, slip-on, black, fairly dense foam cushion at our local, small-town music store (which is not at all oriented to wind instruments). The price was $1.00, and I like it better than the slip-on tubing. It stays on and is more comfortable.
So you're not into a major purchase or decision here.
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2002-09-21 23:39
In my experience one has to "toughen" up the right thumb - a good callus is a badge of honor - but in my student kits I use the pencil cushions sold at any office supply store. They are a soft sponge rubber material tube with some elasticity and must just be cut in half to fit nicely on most clarinet thumb rests - hey you get two for the price of one!
The Doctor
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Author: Kat
Date: 2002-09-22 00:18
I don't use anything on my thumbrests. On some of them there is still cork. On my R13, though, after I had it "Brannenized" way back in 1988 or so, there was a cool thingie they used on it instead of cork. It was a little bit of foam with a smooth, vinyl-like surface. However, it fell off somewhere in the mid-90's, and I've been on bare metal ever since. I've never had a big problem or needed the cushions...
Of course, you can't see the big "lump" that _is_ on my right thumb...lol!
Katrina
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Author: Lori
Date: 2002-09-22 00:37
Surgical tubing works great - nice and thin. I got a piece from the repair tech for free but any surgical supply should have it.
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Author: Willie
Date: 2002-09-22 01:05
Right on, Doc! Years after quit playing and was pursuing my career in the Coast Guard, I would get questions about the strange dent in my right thumb. Its gone now but the reactions I got from my peers were always interesting. Traditionaly, Bos'ns mates are supposed to be knuckle dragging goons, not artsy types.
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Author: Leah
Date: 2002-09-22 02:35
i have thumbies that are made out of parts of a pencil gripper. one came back to me from an overhaul with that, and i liked it. it is kind of soft, definitely cushioney and they fit and stretch well over most thumb rests. cheap too, plus they can be any color you want them to be! and one gripper makes 2 or 3- and they last for ever!
Leah
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2002-09-22 05:14
Yep, pencil grippers. Buy a pack of five and trim 'em to fit. You'll have a nice stock of 20 or so.
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Author: steven.
Date: 2002-09-22 05:49
i use a catheter, new of course.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-09-22 16:01
In my experience I've found that the OEM mounting of thumb rests varies. If the tr is mounted so the plane your thumb pushes against is at right angles to the axis of the horn it causes the most problem. If the part your thumb pushes against is angled properly you won't even need a pad. I accidently noticed that one tr on which the screws didn't hold the tr securely worked pretty good too.
I find that the surgical tubing doesn't do anything beneficial for me and agree that the foam pencil grippers are the best. But...I find both items at my local Ace Hardware.
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Author: ken
Date: 2002-09-22 21:22
whatever happened to just a box of band aids?
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Author: Jill
Date: 2002-09-22 23:49
Yes, I used to wear a band-aid all the time on my right thumb--even so, I developed a callous there. My right-hand placement is not good, and I put my thumb way too far under the thumbrest, and it hurts! I've bought just about every inexpensive thumbrest there is, and they all help just a little. Oh, you say I could just learn to hold the clarinet correctly? I've thought about it, but after 36 years, it's easier just to buy the band-aids.
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2002-09-23 13:56
In addition to cushioning up the thumb rest, you might try using a neckstrap as well. It should take a lot of the pressure off the thumb.
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Author: TDC
Date: 2002-09-23 15:19
Thanks everybody. I too, have a callus on my thumb. I don't mind it, but after playing for a couple hours (which I am wont to do)my goddam thumb starts to get pain spasms Yeah, I know! "Don't play so long."
But hope springs eternal, doesn't it? I'm going to try the pencil grippers. Incidentally, I've looked, and the Buffet thumb rest is correctly angled a little to the long axis of the horn.
Thanks again for the help. Now I can play three hours before my thumb gets paralyzed!
TDC
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Author: BeckyC
Date: 2002-09-23 15:53
You know, I have never really had a callus on my thumb for playing the clarinet, BUT I have noticed that I have irregular thumb nail because of it. The thumb rest always rested just below my nail bed, at an angle.
It really doesn't cause any problems until I try to put on fake nails. Maybe some of the women can relate.
Have any of you had this same problem? OR am I, after all these years, placing my thumb in the wrong position.
Becky
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-09-23 18:14
Go to a surgical supply store (a/k/a medical equipment store) and get a 3-foot length of silicon surgical tubing -- outside diameter about 3/8", inside diameter about 3/16". It's a translucent light tan/yellow and will cost a dollar or two. Be sure it's silicone, not rubber.
Scrape the cork and glue off the thumb rest. Cut a piece of the tubing about 3/4" long (kitchen scissors or a wire nipper work well). Wet the inside with saliva and work it over the thumb rest.
It's very comfortable, very tough and the silicon never deteriorates. I've been cutting pieces off my 3' length for 20 years, and I still have about a foot left.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Melanie
Date: 2002-09-25 02:30
If you or anyone you know works in a restaraunt or cafeteria, try the tubing from the milk despensors. The just get thrown away anyways. I worked at a truck stop for the summer and was able to grab a few tubes. They work really well, and they're free. Just rinse them off, cut to lenght, and viola!
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Author: Kat
Date: 2002-09-25 05:15
Is it time for viola jokes already? 
But seriously, Becky, I also have a "funny" thumbnail. It was worse a while ago before I started playing folk music and now...well, let's just say my right thumb position isn't ideal. My callous is NOW about a centimeter further away from the nail than it was during my classical studies. So much for good hand position!
Katrina
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