 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Rivka
Date: 2005-12-20 15:08
I have a festival model greenline Buffet; admittedly, it's heavier than most. And my thumb is dying. I already use a neck strap. Short of buying a new clarinet, I am considering having the thumb rest raised. I have seen the Kooiman thumb rest which moves the weight to the side, and I have seen the SBG strap ring which supposedly adjusts the weight. Any other advice or experience with these tools?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: seafaris
Date: 2005-12-20 15:34
I use the Kooiman and I think it's great. My thumb and wrist would usually start to hurt a little after about an hour of practice, now I can practice as long as I wish. No pain and my fingers line up better with the keys. Also my thumb is not longer deformed! :-) It went on easy although you should put a drop of super glue in each screw hole so the little screws don't back out. I would set it up first and play a few days and then once you like the position remove the screws and put the glue in. If you do not have good small screwdrivers I would let a tech do it.
I hope this is of help.
Jim
www.bajaseafaris.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Wafaic
Date: 2005-12-21 04:21
May be you're too tense when playing? Just try to relax...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: AV8Randy
Date: 2005-12-21 07:27
Don't worry,
after a while your thumb developes a callus and then it wont hurt. But then you'll have a lump on your thumb. I myself don't worry about that ... though it depends what you think I guess.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: b.roke
Date: 2005-12-21 20:02
i've been using a kooiman for almost a year and it is wonderful. and i haven't used any glue and it has been fine.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sylvangale
Date: 2005-12-22 05:48
There's a thing called a FRED which is an oboe support system that takes weight off of an instrument. I used it briefly while getting used to a wooden instrument.
It's kinda of like a cross between a fishing pole and an umbrella (without top). It's a very compact metal stick that can be extended to a proper height with a fishing line type end that fits over the thumb plate (beginner model) or a hook that fits over oboes/clarinets that have thumbrests with built in rings for neckstraps.
It sits on the chair between your legs and it's pretty sturdy. It can be angled to shift more weight onto you or off of you as you see put.
Get a broom and rest your thumbrest on it... it's that kind of effect, but secure.
I used the student one which was a bit short for me, but it helped me get used to the weight of a wooden oboe.
It's made by these people:
http://www.quodlibet.com/
Also it may be possible to make something similar yourself easily. I have been thinking lately that maybe you can just get an umbrella of the right locking height, lop off the top, and put something at the end to rest the thumbrest on. A square handled umbrella though.
Regards,
Stephen (Piko)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: OpusII
Date: 2005-12-22 05:53
I use the Kooiman Maestro also almost a year now and I've to say that it does the trick. If you buy one let it be installed by a tech, you will be doing yourself a favour and your instrument....
The only thing that I don't like about it is "learning" a new handposition... that took me a while!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Rivka
Date: 2005-12-25 04:00
Thank you! I borrowed a friend's English horn "stand" and it works wonderfully. I'll get my own. You've really helped.
Rivka
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
