 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Paul H
Date: 2024-06-26 19:10
Wondering if anyone here has used the Tom Koolman thumb rest for an extended period of time and what their conclusion was on its impact on playing and on hand and wrist pain? I don't seen any posts referring to it since 2004
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Author: Bennett ★2017
Date: 2024-06-26 20:57
FWIW, Years ago I tried the Etude thumb rest, (the much less expensive plastic one), for a while. Wonderful for thumb pain but I gave it up as I found I couldn't control the instrument, i.e., it would roll around, both left to right and axially when using the left hand pinky keys, trilling between right and left pinky keys or using the right hand trill keys. I wonder now whether I could have controlled that motion by applying moleskin or something similar to the underside of the 'hook', (the surface that touches the thumb), to increase the friction a bit. The plastic was kind of slippery.
I've never tried the much more expensive metal thumb rest (which has some sort of foam or cushion on its 'hook').
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Author: marcia
Date: 2024-06-26 21:25
I tried one some years ago. It did not work for me. When my hand was in playing position, there was a gap between the "hook" and my thumb. I may have posted a picture of this at the time, but have yet to find it. Now I use a neck strap.
Have just had a look at the website. It would appear that now there is one where the "hook" is adjustable. That may have worked for me as my thumb is not horizontal in playing position.
Marcia
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2024-06-26 23:01
I don't recall if Kooiman still makes the one with the three joints that adjust with a mini allen wrench, but that one could be adjusted to the base of your thumb (and I have big hands) and it worked wonders.
I would quickly add though that once I found that I was putting my normal thumb rests too high on the body of the lower joint, all my wrist pain issues went away with the typical thumb rests as well.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: Reformed
Date: 2024-06-26 23:17
I'm using the Kooiman thumb rests, both Etude and Maestro for the last couple of years.
Both models have generous padding built-in, On the Etudes, I have generally removed their silicone padding as my thumb's knuckle is too big to fit in the rest but the bare plastic rest is just fine.
The Kooiman rests are a life saver for me as my hands become more arthritic and even help accommodate a moderate Dupuytren's contracture in my right ring finger by opening the hand (I'm 70).
The Maestros are truly super and create a fixed, highly stable and comfortable support for the clarinet which is at the same time relaxed, but they are super expensive. They are extremely adjustable.
The Etudes are slightly less stable, the "hook" rotates slightly but they are perfectly usable in hours of playing.
Even my Peter Eaton Elites, which are very heavy, are more stable and easier to play with the Maestro. I'm mostly using Yamaha German Boehms at the moment (with the Etudes). I really do not notice much difference between the Maestro and Etude in reality - both work well.
I am a little worried about "rounding out" the tiny hex head bolts that adjust the Maestros.
My right thumb is callus-free for the first time in 60 years.
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2024-06-27 17:42
I have not tried them. Using an elastic neck strap to support some of the weight is good for me.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2024-06-27 20:41
I've been using the basic student model for some years now on all of my instruments. Both my hands are severely arthritic and for me they have been a lifesaver. They enable me to continue to play comfortably, which I found very difficult with the standard thumbrest. I've not experienced any problems with controlling the position of the instrument, and they are a complete fix for thumb pain. I don't much care for neck straps, I find that they get in the way unless I hold the instrument at an uncomfortable angle.
Tony F.
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Author: marcia
Date: 2024-06-27 20:57
I found the picture I was looking for. Hope it works!
3537.JPG
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Author: marcia
Date: 2024-06-27 20:59
hhmmmm.....guess that did not work. But it shows very clearly the gap between thumb and hook. I am finding the neck strap works well so will stick with that.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2024-06-27 23:58
Attachment: Untitled.jpg (4k)
As I understand, the instrument has to be modified as well to accommodate the Tom Kooiman thumb rest.
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Author: Reformed
Date: 2024-06-28 00:45
@m1964 - modification is needed for the Maestro model in your picture.
The Etude model is a bit flexible and may (or may not) fit the drillings for an existing 2 hole thumb rest.
May be best to get professional repair help, unless you are confident for your own repair work.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2024-06-28 06:22
I do not need the aftermarket TR, but for those considering it should know in advance it is not a "Plug-and-play" item.
***I was able to adapt to the factory TR- it's a long story and does not belong to this thread.
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Author: marcia
Date: 2024-06-28 10:20
Maybe this will work?
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/download.html/1,2479/3537.JPG
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Author: Janice G
Date: 2024-06-28 16:33
I've used the Etude for the past three years. For me it's a huge improvement on the conventional thumb rests. The part that the thumb contacts is able to rotate but only if I use a certain degree of pressure. In normal playing it stays put. I find this a benefit as I can rotate it to yhe best angle for my hand position. I find that the hook part rests nicely on the top of my thumb, near to where it meets my hand. The ability to adjust the height without moving the screws is a nice feature. I find that l click it on three to four clicks down when assembling my clarinet.
Recently I was ill and decided to use my old student clarinet (B&H Regent) to avoid contaminating my Imperial. I could play with the standard thumb rest that's on the Regent but it felt really awkward and I felt my fluidity was compromised.
As always, your mileage may vary but I'm really happy with the Etude.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2024-06-29 18:52
I've fitted them to several clarinets and the first thing I did was bin the wood screws that are supplied with them as they're next to useless.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Janice G
Date: 2024-06-29 19:37
I forget what screws I used. I have a feeling that they were the original thumb rest screws. I did have to drill new holes though. A slightly nerve-wracking experience but it went well.
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Author: EGeneus
Date: 2024-07-08 03:36
Attachment: photo_5213094921949535881_y.jpg (168k)
Attachment: photo_5213094921949535879_y.jpg (169k)
Hi Paul!
I finally found time to share my opinion on Ton Kooiman products. I tried their Etude model more than 5 years ago and never got back to the stock thumb rest since then.
On the plus side – I have forgotten about any tension in my right hand. Before that I would either feel uncomfortable sensation in my thumb knuckle area, or tension going from my finger to the wrist that would build up during long rehearsals or practice sessions. With the Etude, I no longer thought about the right hand position, everything felt very natural and effortless.
The downsides are arbitrary and depend on your physiology. I have wide hands, but relatively short fingers and in case you have the similar anatomy, the fact that clarinet becomes wider may not be helpful. I found it possible to rotate the lower join in relation to upper for better reach. Also, it helped my left pinky to reach the keys easier (by default the left f#/c# feels to far to the left) If you have big hands and long fingers it will feel just amazing I guess.
Couple smaller things - reaching trill keys was a bit inconvenient for the first couple month, but then I somehow got used to it and stop noticing any issues.
Lastly, the design of the thumb rest with the hook and the rubber padding made it a little bit longer switching between Bb and A (I had 2 thumb rests, just to clarify)
One of the things that made me buy their Maestro thumb rest (besides my curiosity and the coolness of the contraption), which I am using right now, is that Etude thumb rest, and the rubber padding specifically, got torn from the attachment point, and would come off almost every time I put clarinet down. It seems to be a design flaw that you can experience only during continuous use, so I guess I want to much from a 30-dollar gadget.
Long story short – Maestro is objectively better in all regards: it’s sturdier, gives almost limitless adjustability, which can even become an issue, but if you spend some time with this small alien wrench I guarantee you’ll find the optimal position for yourself. Besides that and the price – no negatives found.
Also, it is cleverly designed to be used on both your Bb and A with an additional plate that mounts the second clarinet, and the switch is fast and silent.
I attach some pictures of my Selmer, which I unfortunately had to drill to get the thing installed, but for me it was not even a consideration to get back to the stock thumb rest, so sorry my Selmer.
I hope you'll find this information helpful!
- Eugene
Post Edited (2024-07-08 03:37)
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