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Kooiman Thumb Rests

Author: Kristen Denny
Date: 2001-11-16 07:14

Hello everyone!

I thought I would fill you in on my experience with the Kooiman Thumb Rests (plastic
model).

At the time of purchase, I was working on my undergrad and playing a lot (I'm now in
graduate school). I was searching for an alternative because of wrist and thumb fatigue
that I'm sure you can all relate to. I purchased my first Kooiman rest at the ICA convention (2000) in Oklahoma. There, a display table was set up and I was able to see and feel how the thumbrest worked before I purchased it. I was also able to see the professional rest, but due to
costs, I chose to try the plastic student model.

The rest was about $25. Not a bad price! It is made of plastic. The rest consists of
a plate that is mounted onto the clarinet body and a separate piece that slides onto the plate (you can adjust it to the height that you prefer). The thumbrest attachment that slides onto the plate consists of one plastic piece that the thumb rests against and another plastic piece that acts as an "arm" that fits over the greater part of the thumb. There are also 3 sets of holes in
the plate so that you can match it up with the existing holes in your clarinet and mount it at the
desired position. The way the rest eases tension is that it spreads the weight of the clarinet out over a larger area of the thumb instead of the concentrated pressure just above the thumbnail. Its curved molded plastic design is also very comfortable. Another benefit is that it opens up the hand into a more natural position, because it is thick and protrudes out from the body of the clarinet. For me, it made it easier to keep my fingers curved and relaxed.

I had the rest mounted on my Bb clarinet. It took a few days to get used to, but it became
a wonderful aid in my playing. I could play longer while my wrist and thumb both remained comfortable. After a few months, I was so happy with my new find that I ordered another rest
to have mounted onto my A clarinet. I was very satisfied with the product and my prolonged,
comfortable practice sessions.

As I enter this next portion of my story, please keep in mind that the thumbrest is a student
plastic model, and I did have the option of buying the professional model (which is made of
metal parts) but chose not to because of costs.

I have had some problems with my Kooiman thumb rest. First, the device initially came with
two screws that were too short. The reason this was a problem is that after about 4 or 5
months, the screws began to work themselves loose and eventually stripped the drilled holes
in the back of the instrument (by the way, I play on wooden clarinets). I took my clarinet
to my repairman. He found a little bit of a deeper and wider screw that worked just fine.
Problem solved, right? Unfortunately not. It did not take long for the bigger screws to work
themselves loose and strip the holes even more. At this point, I was running out of screws
that would fit. I could not use a longer screw or I would have drilled through into the bore of the
clarinet! Eventually, the holes had to be refilled with epoxy resin and then redrilled. My
repairman then suggested drilling two more holes to make the plate more secure. Now, it
is secured with two screws in the top two holes of the plate and two screws in the bottom set
of holes. Problem solved, right! Well, as far as holding the plate on is concerned...
YES! Finally! In addition, now when you order the Kooiman thumb rest, it comes with longer screws! Go figure.

However, my problems have still not been solved. The other problem I have had could easily
be attributed to the long durations that I play or how "hard" I am on my instrument, but
regardless of the reasons, this next (and final) problem has given me grief. Not once, but
twice during rehearsals (thank God not during a performance) the plastic arm that swings
out over the thumb has cracked and broken off! I did nothing unusual in my playing. I did
not pull up excessively with the thumb or knock it in any way. This gave me a great deal of
a fright. Not to mention the possibility of it happening again (next time maybe in a
performance) makes me not feel as secure. As a performer, I must be able to depend on
my equipment... or at least feel secure with it so that I am not distracted by such issues.

Allow me to restate once again... I chose the plastic student model. The two I have had
to replace have been a fraction of the cost of a professional model. However, I do not feel
that I can depend on it.

Since these instances, I have replaced the original thumbrest on the A clarinet. I feel I can depend on the original rest to not break or move. Also, I do not play the A clarinet as much
as I play the Bb, so the thumb and wrist only suffer in small doses. I have come to enjoy the
comfort of the Kooiman rest so much that I have chosen to keep it on my Bb clarinet for
the time being. However, I have ordered a "back-up" rest to keep in my case at all times in
case the unfortunate should occur again.

My current teacher uses the Bay adjustable thumbrest which is similar in design and
function. In cost, it lies somewhere between the cost of the Kooiman plastic and the Kooiman
professional model. I am considering a change, but probably not until the summer when
I am free from university ensembles and recitals.

Thanks for reading my story. Please share your thoughts or experiences with the Kooiman
thumb rest. I would love to hear any other anecdotes or solutions that you may have found.

Thanks!

Kristen Denny
GTA: Clarinet
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln

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