 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: PS
Date: 2011-04-14 19:23
I have been looking at some thumb rest options lately to relieve some pain in my thumb/wrist after a couple hours of playing as well to improve my right hand position and get rid of some lazy habits such as resting the Eb/Bb key on my pointer finger.
I have some oboe friends who really like their Kooiman etude thumb rests, so I have been looking at that as an option. It is not terribly pricey, still a bit much for a poor college student. Also, they said it takes a few weeks to adjust to using it.
http://www.wwbw.com/Ton-Kooiman-Etude-2-Clarinet-Thumb-Rest-467373-i1431058.wwbw
The other option I was looking at was the Ridenour thumb saddle. It is a cheaper option that doesn't take time to adjust to and is supposed to help with proper right hand shape and position.
http://www.wwbw.com/Ridenour-Clarinet-Thumb-Saddle-472122-i1431330.wwbw
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Phillip
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2011-04-14 19:28
There's always your knee - very cheap and always there.
:)
Karl
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Author: TianL
Date: 2011-04-14 20:06
i use the ridenour.. i think it's especially good if you have small hands. also keep in mind that once you start using it, it will be hard to play clarinet without it. also it might feel a bit strange at first.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2011-04-14 20:26
Thumb rest might not do that much to alleviate been-playing-a-couple-hours pain. Sometimes (though not always) that can originate from trigger points in the brachialis, as you're effectively doing an isometric hammer curl for hours on end. Give your right arm a rest as frequently as possible.
Thumb rests like the Kooiman would indeed help with the hand-position aspect, likely alleviating the problem significantly as well.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: 2cekce ★2017
Date: 2011-04-14 23:43
I was having the some hand and wrist pain while playing after a couple of hours and I did indeed try the Kooiman thumbrest( the least expensive of the two) and I have found it to be quite effective in taking care of my pain issue.
now I'm just trying to get used to it as Ive only had it for a month and dont play as often as I used to
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Author: Leanne E.
Date: 2011-04-15 04:08
I've got a free fix: Reposition your thumb rest, if you haven't already.
I had the same problem, and I was telling a repair tech about it. He had me grab my water bottle and pointed out that my thumb is much higher on my natural grip (as it is for most people) than with my thumb rest. He suggested that I put my thumb rest on upside down. I've sworn of the thumb rest covers ever since.
Hey, it's free to try if you've got a tiny screwdriver, right?
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Author: A Brady
Date: 2011-04-15 06:41
The Ridenour thumb saddle is working very well for me on my clarinets; it's especially helpful in lengthy rehearsal/performance situations.
It's also quite reasonable; I would call RCP directly as they do not always respond to email promptly.
AB
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2011-04-15 11:06
I use both the Kooiman Etude 2 and the Ridenour rests. Both work well. The Kooiman takes more strain off the thumb and joint because of its design. It's the one I would use for a two-hour session or for a heavier clarinet. Both work well however and will change the finger positions (in different ways) and I didn't find a problem getting used to either one. Alternatively you could consider a neck-sling
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-04-15 12:49
Phillip -
Hand and wrist pain only get worse over time. It's important to go as soon as possible to a physical therapist who specializes in musicians. I went to one when I got right hand and wrist pain. She diagnosed the problem immediately and experimented to find exactly where to relocate the thumb rest.
The Kooiman Etude has been discussed several times. You'll find it with the Search function. Some like it, but at least in its original form it had durability problems. These may have been solved with the Etude 2 model http://www.tonkooiman.com/index.php/en/products/etude2.
Kooiman also makes a high-end Maestro model http://www.tonkooiman.com/index.php/en/products/maestro2, but it's expensive and has to be taken off to put the instrument in the case. The Etude 2 looks like it also has to be taken off, for the same reason, though it may be possible to alter your case. If you play in an orchestra, you'll need a second one for your A clarinet.
Many players use a neck strap, including Ricardo Morales and Mark Nuccio. If they can, you can.
Robert Marcellus clasped the bell of his A clarinet between his knees and had Hans Moennig set the instrument up to play in tune that way.
Go to a therapist first.
Ken Shaw
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Author: RAB
Date: 2011-04-15 12:57
Try turning your thumb rest upside down. This will allow the 1st finger and thumb to be in a more natural position. If this helps then have a repair person re position the thumb rest for you. Also consider a BG elastic neck strap. I know of several players that use these and the have helped them.
I always try to go for the easy/simple fix first. I have had some clients that needed the different thumb rest and if needed they are great.
Hope this helps.
Rodney Berry
Repair Dept
Muncy Winds Music Company
Boone, N.C.
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Author: MartyMagnini
Date: 2011-04-15 13:07
I have experience with all the the thumb rests you have mentioned. First, let me say that I agree with Ken - you need to see a therapist before you do anything else.
A few years ago I started experiencing some carpal-tunnel like symptoms when I played for more than 15 minutes or so. My hand would become "tingly" and numb - not really painful, but I couldn't play! I first tried the Kooiman Etude, which I liked very much, but found it to not be sturdy - the screws kept getting loose, and it is not adjustable. I also tried the Ridenour thumb saddle. I like what it did for my hand position, and I recommend it to my students, but it did not help much with the carpal tunnel symptoms. I finally did get the Kooiman Maestro, and had it installed by Brannen while he was doing an overhaul for me. It has several adjustments, so you can really custom fit it to your particular hand. It has an easy on/off slider, and comes with two mounting plates, so you can use it on your Bb and A, and just buy one. They are pricey, but worth it for me. It solved my problem, and as a bonus I like what it does for my hand position as well.
I would try the Ridenour first - they are inexpensive, and no mounting or installing is needed. If it is a serious problem, and your therapist cannot offer any relief, then the Kooiman is well worth a serious look. As I said, it worked well for me, your mileage may vary.
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Author: davetrow
Date: 2011-04-15 22:45
I second what Marty said. In my experience, the Kooiman Maestro, although expensive and fiddly, can really make a difference in both comfort and fingering speed.
Dave Trowbridge
Boulder Creek, CA
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-04-15 23:14
If you're experiencing arm and wrist pain due to the weight, consider getting a Quodlibet Fhred (a telescopic monopod-like support) as it takes the weight off your right arm completely and still gives you good posture unlike slings/neck straps which will tend to make the clarinet point downwards unless you push upwards with your right arm.
The only alteration needed doing is a ring hard soldered to your existing thumbrest (or have an oboe d'amore/cor anglais thumbrest fitted if that's cheaper).
http://www.quodlibet.com/FhredGen.php
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: clairmusic
Date: 2011-04-16 00:16
the fhred by quodlibet works great. tour fingers move more freely and no pain and helps with postour. I've had mine for over 10yrs. deff worth checking out.
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Author: Eddydavik
Date: 2011-04-16 06:56
I like and use the Kooiman Maestro. The redistribution of the weight has helped a lot, and the the adjustable contraption (though a PITA to do) allows the whole arm to be in a more natural/comfortable position while playing.
Edward Escobar
Suita City Wind Ensemble
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Author: dansil
Date: 2011-04-16 08:57
except for the Quodlibet Fhred, which is no good if you need to stand/walk around on stage, I've used them all - neck straps (yuck), cheap rubber slipons (still hurts), Ridenour thumb saddle (good for a while), Kooiman Etude 1, then 2 and finally the Maestro (which comes with two base plates so you can switch the thumb rest between two clarinets in a second). The two Kooiman models are without a doubt the best relief possible for the generic sore thumb problem apart from changing to guitar or piano!
The Maestro model, high tech, expensive and fiddly to set up to one's unique anatomy, allows the greatest flexibility for shifting the stress and leverage of the weight of the clarinet on your thumb closer to your hand.
Cheers, Danny!
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2011-04-16 13:19
When i read Leanne E's post about the ergonomics of thumbrest positioning a light went on in my head. My problem in a nutshell. I reversed the thumbrest as an interim measure and got a considerable improvement. When I get a moment, and the right size drill bit, I'll reposition the rest to just below the centre joint. Thanks for that.
Tony F.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2011-04-16 15:22
You can get a belt attachment for the Fhred so you can use it while standing.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Leanne E.
Date: 2011-04-17 05:16
Tony,
Glad I could help! It's not a cure for a serious condition, but it works great for "normal" pain from being in an unnatural position.
I have to second anyone who says to get it checked, none of the solutions will help an underlying problem.
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