 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: cjwright
Date: 2007-01-11 15:24
I'm finding that my thumb is going numb when I practice my D major scales quickly, and when I practice the Saint-Saens 3rd mvt for extended periods of time. I think it's something about me playing high Csharp or something about the weight when I play those notes. Anyways, that's not the question...
The question is does anyone own one of these kooiman thumb rests, either the expensive one or the cheap one? Does it fit on your oboe when you go to close the case? Does it make a large difference on your hand? thumb? wrist? thanks everyone.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-01-11 16:05
The weight is transferred further up your thumb towards your hand, so there's less strain on the tip of your thumb.
There's a metal plate that's screwed onto the oboe, and the thumbrest slides onto this and locks into position, and this plate lies completely flat so it'll fit in the case without any alteration.
The increased depth due to the addition of this thumbrest also opens your hand up more in a similar way that some oboists stick thick cork onto the body by the thumbrest, so the fingers are in a more relaxed position.
I've had a look at these (but haven't fitted one to my instruments), and the expensive one has a lot more adjustments that are locked into position with grub screws.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repair Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Craig Matovich
Date: 2007-01-11 18:57
I also do the thick cork treatment and just got lucky I guess. It just made sense to me and I really get the benefits Chris P. lists.
A little different angle on this... a few years back I had serious lower back pain, was also having a bit of carpal tunnel, joint pains, numbness in fingers. (Too much computer work, piano playing, etc.)
The physical therapy set good the lower back, and I then resumed my workouts ( a long time runner with pushups and situps but really hated weights, or the idea of the weights as it turns out) adding weight routines I learned in therapy. I kept those and added more as time passed.
It seemed counter-intuitive to me but the therapist assured me weight bearing exercise done properly (proper form, taken gradually) is great for a variety of problems in the fingers, wrists, etc., and even people with arthritus get some big benefits.
Consider some of that for the long term. The strength and flexibility are worth the time in the gym or in your home exercise area and the benefits from an oboe and piano point of view are wonderful.
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Author: Bobo
Date: 2007-01-11 20:24
i was getting numbthumb too and a bit of tendon strain in my thumb...i bought one of those $5 little black rubber thinagmagics that slips over the thumb rest (i think from Ann Hodge). It fits nicely in the Loree cork grease circle in the case. Anyway, my problem is solved. It not only cushions the thumb so i don't get that thumbrest depression between my nail and my knuckle, but it also puts my hand in a less crimped position, making trills a bit easier. I was considering a thumbrest replacement too, but gagged at the prices. I figured I'd take a flyer on the $5 rubber thingy, and was not disappointed. I also found some therapeutic exercises in an article on 'Blackberry Thumb' (those PDA's with little keyboards that people type messages on) that worked really well for me:
Tap each finger with the thumb of the same hand. Repeat five times. Alternate tapping the palm of your hand and the back of your hand against your thigh as quickly as you can. Repeat 20 times. Open your hands and spread your fingers as far apart as possible. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat eight times. Fold your hands together, and turn your palms away from your body as you extend your arms forward. You should only feel a gentle stretch. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat eight times. Fold your hands together, turn your palms away from your body, and extend your arms overhead. You should feel the stretch in your upper torso and shoulders to hand. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat eight times.
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2007-01-11 20:45
Hi Coop --
I've owned (and used) the "Etude" model of the Kooiman thumbrest (i.e., the plastic one). It was OK -- it did what it is advertised to do, which is relieve the pressure on the thumb. But it was unwieldy and unsightly, and it didn't fit in my case, and quite honestly, I never got all that comfortable with it.
My current solution is to use the Ridenour "Thumb Saddle." http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/Thumb.htm
It gives me a more relaxed hand postion, it stays on the thumb rest very well, and provides the cushioning I need. My teacher really likes it, too. You do have to cut a little slit in the back of it to make it fit over the eyelet on the thumbrest, but other than that, it's perfect. And cheap.
Lots of folks have spoken highly of the FHRED system -- either pro or student models. http://www.quodlibet.com/FhredGen.htm
I've seen it in use, and was intrigued. If I ever need more than what I currently use, that's where I'll head.
Susan
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-01-11 20:59
I recommended a FHRED to a clarinet player recovering from a fractured right shoulder - she was usng a sling but it didn't relieve the strain on her right arm and made her posture bad.
She bought one and I fitted a new thumbrest with a ring on it, and she's over the moon with it - no strain on her right arm and her posture is loads better as it's keeping her clarinet held out at a much better playing angle as opposed to being held downwards as it was before.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repair Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: JudyP
Date: 2007-01-11 21:47
Thanks for addressing this issue. As a beginner, I'm having some difficulties with the strength of my thumb, including irritation and pain. Also my fingers have been out of position.
I think I'm doing better since I started using the little black rubber padding mentioned earlier in this thread....cheap and small. It also allows me to be more mobile because I like to walk over to the piano on occasion.
I also used a neck strap before using the thumbrest device. It's the kind of neckstrap that slips onto the thumbrest like a button hole. It was helpful, but I had trouble keeping the neckstrap attached to the thumbrest after awhile. I haven't tried it with the "thumbrest, buttonhole sleeve" over the neckstrap piece yet. I want my thumb to become stronger so I eventually won't need anything.
Something I didn't expect when I started the oboe was that I'd get a calloused
thumb. Oh well. 
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Author: sylvangale
Date: 2007-01-11 22:38
I really liked the FHRED when I transitioned from reduced mech plastic to full mech wood oboes. It can take off all the weight or take as much weight as you desire by angling it.
I used the student model and I found it very secure, but it depends on your thunb rest shape for how secure it can be, where the ring model is secure, period.
They are incredibly small when closed down. I fit one in a Yamaha oboe case, with no compartment.
Regards,
Stephen
♫ Stephen K.
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Author: oboe1960
Date: 2007-01-12 00:36
I need to use a FHRED with both oboe and English horn and I love it. I can't play without it, the pain in my right hand is just unbearable -- and will last for days if I even play for just 5 minutes without the FHRED. The only drawbacks (beside looking a little odd) are that you can't cue, and standing up is a little awkward even with the little pouch thingy for hanging off your belt. But I find playing standing up awkward anyway.
I'm not sure your thumb is going to get stronger. It might just get progressively more aggravated, especially if you are no spring chicken, like me! 
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Author: cjwright
Date: 2007-01-12 00:40
Thanks everyone, I'll take the plunge and buy one and let you guys know how it turns out next month.
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Author: oboemelli
Date: 2007-01-14 11:25
Yes, I know about them..I've never tried them, but there is something I do use which takes the weight off of the oboe completely...
...it's called a 'Fhred'. It's made by a company called Quodlibet. It attaches to the back of the oboe by the ring on the thumbrest (you can buy them separately from them too to put on your oboe) and the bottom of it rests on your chair when you are playing. It's basically a long stick that supports the weight, and you can adjust the height of it accordingly. You can also buy a 'sami' which is a sort of pouch that you can attach to a belt in order to use the Fhred when standing up.
Here is the website if you are interested...
http://www.quodlibet.com/
These products have helped me a great deal...
Melanie
"People imagine they can reach one another. In reality they only pass each other by"- Schubert.
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Author: cjwright
Date: 2007-01-30 02:26
Well, I got my Kooiman Thumbrest installed and I love how open my hand can be. It feels very solid, and the design of it is quiet ingenious. I would strongly recommend anyone to take the plunge if you have wrist problems.
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Author: mosh
Date: 2007-01-30 02:53
Hi CJ,
I had some wrist problems after a car accident and installed one of the full Kooiman Rests on a Howarth. After finding them through a local Clarinet player who had been in the Netherlands.
I found that it took about 3 months to really get happy with the rest, but as you have noted it was great for having an open hand position and spreading the weight of the instrument across the whole of the right thumb and knuckle.
I used this for about a year or so and found it to be good, but in the end when i changed instruments ( and had a better wrist) I went back to a more normal thumb rest.
I introduced this to a colleague at that time and he is still using the Kooiman rest on both Oboe and E.Horn about 8 years later.
So I think it is a good move even if you have no big issues with your wrist.
I also think they would be very good for people who wish to play E.Horn without a neck strap.
Mosh.
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-02-11 14:53
I am a clarinetist and I have been using the Kooiman for years. There is not a day that goes by that is not super comfortable because of it.
The thing I always think of is 'It does for clarinet and oboe what the chinrest did for violin and viola'.
Kooiman all the way!
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