 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: lbarton
Date: 2010-12-18 20:43
Has anyone had experience with the Kooiman thumb rest? I have arthritis in the right hand, pointer finger bent downward so that I slide off the key in spite of extension on key and raised thumb rest. I find low c#, side e flat etc difficult to cover. Its worse on English Horn .
Do you think this thumb rest that can be raised, and the extending knob swiveled to a variety of positions might help? Is the model sold for clarinets the same as that for oboes? What about English Horn?
Will the instrument fit in a standard pro oboe case when it is installed? The cheaper model worked well on EH but broke after a while. The more expensive models can distribute weight of instrument over wider area but are pricey. I assume installation involves drilling new holes in the wood of the instrument. Any information is welcome. Thanks Lois Barton
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-12-18 22:00
The only difference between oboe, clarinet and cor anglais Kooiman thumbrests is the curvature on the underside of the baseplate to accommodate the different diameter joints on these instruments - the clarinet one having the least curved underside as clarinet joints have the widest diameter.
The Etude version uses the two existing thumbrest screw holes to attach it with, having several holes in the plastic baseplate so the ones that line up best can be used without having to drill any new holes in the lower joint.
https://www.windcraft.co.uk/image_display.html?img=accessory_pics/atr001.jpg
The Maestro model needs three screws to attach the aluminium baseplate to the lower joint, so may need two new holes drilled (or just the one hole drilled if the two holes at the top of the baseplate line up with the existing thumbrest screw holes in the lower joint).
https://www.windcraft.co.uk/image_display.html?img=accessory_pics/atr002.jpg
I can thoroughly recommend the Quodlibet Fhred as that will take the weight off the right hand and still offer you good playing posture, though if you don't already have a ring attached to your thumbrest, you will need to get one that has a ring on the back (or have a ring made and hard soldered to your existing thumbrest) to clip the Fhred onto.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2010-12-21 16:06)
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Author: RobinDesHautbois
Date: 2010-12-21 16:55
Does anyone remember the name of a special instrument support that was mentioned on this BBoard a few months ago? It is fastened to the stand and holds up the bell: this way no weight is on the thumb at all and freedom of movement is still available.
In the past, when I battled tendinitis as a blossoming advanced student, I used a string tied to my bell and hooked to the stand to achieve similar results.
As for thumb-rests, I'm experimenting with that too, and the best thing (for me --- I don't know about anyone else) is a wine-cork cut at angles to keep the tip of my thumb pointing downwards and towards the instrument (almost the contrary to standard thumb-rests).
Best of luck!
Robin Tropper
M.A.Sc., B.Mus., B.Ed.
http://RobinDesHautbois.blogspot.ca/music
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Author: Anita2000
Date: 2011-01-02 21:11
Hi All,
I began using a Phred (the stick support) and Sami (a device attaching to a belt allowing the Phred to be used standing up as well as while sitting down) at music college to alleviate pain caused by instability of the ligaments in my wrists. Less than a year ago, my teacher suggested I try a Kooiman. Having used both a Phred and Kooiman herself she believed this change of equipment might help me.
I bought the more expensive version of the Kooiman, made of metal, as it has many more possible positions than the nine or so of the plastic version. Essentially, the metal Kooiman has four points that can be adjusted. There are two points on the arm of the Kooiman that swivel, allowing it to be set to your personal requirements. The arm of the Kooiman can be adjusted according to how spread out you want the thumb rest to sit.
When I had the metal plate for the Kooiman fitted to my oboe, I was told that if I didn't get on with it the holes could be filled, but that this may change the tone of the oboe slightly (adding extra holes for the plate could also do this!).
I have been very impressed with my Kooiman. Initially I had to reduce my practice time, building up slowly. This is because you take more of the weight of the oboe with a Kooiman then a Phred. The weight, however, is distributed more evenly along the thumb. I was aware of how much more musically I was playing within my first few practice sessions using my Kooiman, due to the freedom it gave me to move in comparison with the Phred.
Both myself and my teacher have found that sliding between bottom C and C-sharp is more difficult with a Kooiman.
I am unable to keep my Kooiman inside the hard case with my oboe. Instead I keep it in the tin it came in, inside my oboe case cover.
I would recommend a Kooiman after consultation with a teacher (I was lucky enough to be able to try my teacher's oboe + Kooiman setup) and a reputable music shop selling both of these products.
Hope that has helped,
Anita
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-01-02 21:17
"When I had the metal plate for the Kooiman fitted to my oboe, I was told that if I didn't get on with it the holes could be filled, but that this may change the tone of the oboe slightly (adding extra holes for the plate could also do this!)."
I doubt it will have any effect at all - you've already go enough toneholes, pillar holes, screw holes, slots and all manner of things drilled part way into, all the way through and other things screwed into and resting against the joints of your oboe, so one more small blind hole drilled into the lower joint and filled in with a screw is very unlikely to have any effect on the tone.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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