Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2014-06-18 09:55
In our orchestra this season, I am playing cor anglais the whole time. All three works. This is the first time this has happened for me.
I have always played cor with a strap. I am very small, about 5'3", but with incredibly long fingers (span of a 10th on a piano). I just figured that with such long thumbs and with my size, I would need a neck strap. I still get pain from the base of my thumb into my wrist after extended periods of playing, however.
This week, I turned up to rehearsal with a chest cold (concert on weekend, so I just thought I should suck it up). Kept a scarf around my neck for warmth, which got in the way of the neck strap, so I just stopped using it.
This meant that I could change the angle of the cor to more like an oboe, which helped my sound, my musicality (more movement) and, surprisingly, my right hand. No pain at all. I've been conning myself the whole time - it was all in the angle! I could just never find the correct angle with the strap.
Now I just need to find my stash of thumb rest cushions to stop the thumb rest from digging into me so much, now that I am actually using it for its purpose.
Rachel
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