 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: dfh
Date: 2008-03-14 02:14
Anybody use it? What do you think? Does it stay put? I've never even seen one. I'm checking out the doctors site, gotta get some of that great cork grease! Thanks!
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Author: ssax
Date: 2008-03-14 03:44
I've tried several different thumb pads and like the Ridenour the best. It does stay put, although depending on the width of your thumb rest, you may have to stretch it a bit to get it on.
It seems to sit on the intrument's thumb rest in a way that moves the thumb a little away from the back of the instrument, thus reducing the 'pinching' position. Hope this helps.
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2008-03-14 03:55
Yeah, I use the Thumb Saddle and I like it a lot. It's very stable on my instruments. I have a thumb rest with an eye (for a neck strap hook), so I had to slice the top of the Thumb Saddle with a razor cutter to allow it to fit, but it still works fine. It does indeed encourage you to maintain (or perhaps demand that you maintain) a more relaxed hand position.
Susan
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-03-14 11:47
Both my daughter and I use the thumb saddles and they make a big difference for each of us as to comfort. I hate playing by Bb without one.
'They stay attached to the clarinet when you need them to be there, and remove easily for placing the instrument back into its case.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: Mags1957
Date: 2008-03-14 11:48
I have struggled with some carpal-tunnel issues over the past few years, so I have experimented with different thumb rests and neck straps.
I have a Ridenour thumb saddle that I use on one of my clarinets, and the Kooiman thumb rest on another clarinet. The Kooiman works like its supposed to, but always feels odd to me for a while, until I get used to it. It changes the way the clarinet is balanced, as well as your hand position, so playing the RH side keys feels different. Not better or worse, just different (actually, it does seem to make some passages eaiser, while it makes some a bit more difficult -maybe that's just me). And it does help my hand issues significantly. The Ridenour doesn't feel strange at all, and it doesn't change the way the clarinet is balanced. I feel like I can use it or take it off, and the effect is transparant to my playing. It also seems to help my hand issues, which are much much better overall (whether that's due to using the thumb saddles I can't say). I personally enjoy the more open hand position, but as always YMMV.
If I were to have to make one choice, I would go with the Ridenour, and save the $200+ it cost me to get the Kooiman and have it installed. The Ridenour is $11.95, and you just slip it on and off when you are going to play, so you're not altering your clarinet in any way. Hope that helps.
p.s. stay away from the cheaper Kooiman - it's plastic, breaks easily, and I've never known anyone who's happy they got one.
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Author: dfh
Date: 2008-03-14 14:48
I get the impression that the Ridenour is made of a softer plastic - which is great! I'm going to order one and give it a shot.
To Mags1597 - I learned a bunch of shoulder/arm/wriste strengtheners and stretches from the October 2007 issue of Yoga Journal (Strong Armed) that have REALLY helped my arms if I add them to my exercise or warm up and just do them alone. There is also an interesting article about the effects of Yoga on musicians and peak performance in that issue. You may be able to find the Article on yogajournal.com
Thanks everyone!
Dana
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Author: nbblazer
Date: 2008-03-14 17:17
Mags1957-"p.s. stay away from the cheaper Kooiman - it's plastic, breaks easily, and I've never known anyone who's happy they got one."
I've used the cheaper Kooiman or over a year, and true a small piece broke shortly after I bought it, however most of the tension in my right hand has been alleviated. My fingers stay in much better position, and I'm a lot more confident about holding the clarinet. It doesn't change the balance very much like the more expensive Kooiman, and adjusts where the weight of the clarinet toward the back of the thumb. It addresses the problem in the thumb, as opposed to adding cushion like the Ridenour thumb saddle. However, I haven't tried the thumb saddle.
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Author: b.roke
Date: 2008-03-14 21:30
hi - i have used the plastic kooiman for 2yrs and have been very happy with it. it is still intact. i thought i would try a neck strap because of the number of different clarinets i play and bought a neotech which is very light and easily adjusted and it works very well too. preferable in some situations.
i bought a ridenour thumb saddle from the doctor during his february sale and was a bit disappointed with it. it fits fine but i have not got used to the new position my hand takes. but i have not given it a chance over a longer period of time. maybe a week or 2 of using it exclusively may help. however, the kooiman and the neckstrap were immediately comfortable.
good luck with your search. trying it out is the only way to really know, but research helps too!
.
steadfastness stands higher than any success
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2008-03-14 21:39
p.s. stay away from the cheaper Kooiman - it's plastic, breaks easily, and I've never known anyone who's happy they got one.
kooiman's are good thumb rests, however your not supposed to "dig" into the thumbrest when your playing. otherwise you will crack the thumbrest arm off.i've been using it for about 2 years as well, however kooiman has 2 versions of the plastic kooiman. the one with small screws (bad version as the screws helped to keep the arm steady and the new version which has longer screws that will not weaken over time)
for long periods of playing, i prefer the kooiman.
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-03-14 21:49
I can vouch for the concept of the thumb saddle even if I don't own one.
I've made a cheap foam rubber cushion which is now a 3/4 year in service and showing signs of fatigue. Not under the thumb rest but on the part between clarinet body and thumb. Must be where the most pressure is applied, and where your thumb hurts most...
--
Ben
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Author: Mags1957
Date: 2008-03-15 02:03
I did not realize there were 2 versions of the plastic Kooiman. I must have gotten the cheap one, not only did the thumb rest have too much "wiggle" for me, but the screws did not stay in the clarinet - I had to replace them with longer screws. I finally gave up and bought the more expensive metal Kooiman, which is very high quality - built like a truck. I have had no problems since.
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Author: dfh
Date: 2008-03-15 04:12
Hi!
I really like your homemade thumb rest! Great idea. I also really enjoyed looking around your site. Your clarinet is beautiful - I've never seen one of those. The photography is great - (of clarinets and the Gallery) Thanks for sharing-
D-
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Author: katie_netie
Date: 2009-07-03 06:40
Hey,
Do you think the ridenour thumb saddle would fit on a buffet E-11 thumb rest?
If so it is an affordable, easy thing to try.
I have a kooiman maestro on my B flat and though I am still trying to work out the kinks, Ton Kooiman has been extremely kind and helpful as I have tried to make his product work for me.
Thanks!
netie
Katie
Yamaha Custom SEV, Vandoren M13, Vandoren Optimum Ligature
Buffet E11 Eb Clarinet, Vandoren leather ligature and B44 mouthpiece
Going into second year university for music
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