 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: aerostyc
Date: 2011-05-02 02:50
Hi, I currently have a thing with my right thumb at the moment.
I have currently been playing clarinet for 5 years, and have never experienced this problem yet, but my right thumb seems to feel pain because of the clarinet.
The pain/pressure/whatever it is that annoys me is exactly between the first knuckle and the second knuckle. It is also somehow connected to the bone between second knuckle and my wrist, and I just want to know what's wrong with my thumb.
Should I go see the doctor? X-Ray? Take a rest from clarinet? Or you suggest one?
Anyways, when I play clarinet, the thumb rest directly rests upon the right side of my right thumb. Is that the right way or, the wrong way o-o.
Yes, I bought a rubber thumb rest cover, but still won't help much, or I'm guessing it prevented from causing more pain to my thumb.
Please help, thanks!
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2011-05-02 04:37
Caution:
Thumb problems are endemic to clarinet playing. I use an elastic neck strap to greatly reduce the load on my thumb. I adjust the length of the elastic to just bring the clarinet to playing position. Then, I only have to push the bell away from my body.
This is quite different from a rigid neck strap --like used on a sax because you don't have to lift your head to get the horn out of your mouth.
I had to balance the clarinet bell on my knee because of the pain in my right wrist, bu after about 3-months with the strap I was able to play as much as I want to (or until my lip give out).
If your horn doesn't have a ring for the strap, see:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGA2yhSV24Y
for a cheap and long lasting way to "hang your horn."
Bob Phillips
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2011-05-02 14:29
I had such bad pain in my wrist I almost quit.
However, I also got an elastic neck strap and a Ridenour Thumb Saddle.
Took awhile to get used to the thumb saddle (several weeks) but the combination of the 2 worked and I didnt have to stop playing.
Now, I couldnt get the thumb saddle to work on my new clarinets thumbrest so I am doing without it. But I absolutely cannot play without a neckstrap.
I suggest looking into both those things.
and also maybe have a doctor check it out too.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2011-05-02 15:18
There was a thread on here a few weeks back about this very problem. Several people, myself included, have found benefit in moving the thumbrest up the instrument slightly, in my case to just below the centre joint. It makes for a more natural playing position for my hand. Your mileage may vary.
Tony F.
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Author: salzo
Date: 2011-05-02 18:20
I play with my thumb resting on top of the rest. I do not like to hold the clarinet with my hands- I prefer to allow my fingers and hands to float. Works for me, but I am sure it is not for everybody.
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Author: TianL
Date: 2011-05-03 13:31
if you have relatively small hands like mine, try the ridenour thumb saddle. it doesn't cost that much ($10ish) so it won't hurt even if you don't like. it will take a couple of to get used to but for me it definitely helped a lot.
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Author: davetrow
Date: 2011-05-03 14:58
Although expensive and fiddly to adjust, the Kooiman Maestro thumb rest is one possibility. It made a huge difference for me in comfort, fingering speed, and embouchure control.
Dave Trowbridge
Boulder Creek, CA
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Author: oldvter
Date: 2011-05-03 15:57
I agree with janlynn.
I, too, suffered horribly with thumb pain that became unbearable and traveled up my arm, etc. I now use a combination of the Ridenour Thumb Saddle and an elastic neck strap (BG brand for me), and the relief is tremendous. I still need to be careful to not overdo it timewise.
You definitely need to address this issue now, because if you are struggling with the pain only 5 years in, it will only continue to escalate if you aren't careful.
Good luck!
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