 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kilo
Date: 2012-10-20 11:49
I just noticed that the Quodlibet company has gone out of business. I was always happy I could direct musicians with various wrist and elbow problems to their site; they developed the FHRED:
Quote:
The FHRED instrument support is a telescoping peg with an attachment for the neck strap hook of your instrument on one end and a rubber foot on the other. The telescoping sections of the FHRED allow easy adjustment, extending to the length needed for playing and collapsing to a minimum length for storage and transport. Because the FHRED attaches to neck strap hook of your instrument and the base is placed on the seat of your chair or in a SAMI, nothing will interfere with the sound production of your instrument. It attaches to the thumb rest, not the instrument. When a FHRED is used for playing in a seated position, it transfers the stresses which cause physical problems to the chair seat, not to some other part of your body. When a FHRED is used for playing standing, it transfers the stresses to a SAMI which attaches to a belt or sash around your waist so you never experience more force than the weight of your instrument.
... from Lazar Early Music site
I once fashioned a copycat device and could see immediately how it might be much better than a neckstrap for some players.
FHRED thread
Post Edited (2012-10-20 12:00)
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Author: Ohio_AT
Date: 2012-11-22 13:56
Is the FHRED instrument support still available online? I have tried to return to playing clarinet (played years ago, elementary through high school), but my right wrist and neck (spine) hurt when I play. I tried a neck strap, which helped the wrist, but made the neck problem worse. I recently learned about the FHRED support, but then found that it is no longer made. Does someone else make a similar support?
Thanks,
Anne
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Author: KHandcock
Date: 2012-11-22 14:24
Hey Anne, I'm clearing out a bunch of my music related stuff and I have a FHRED I'm not using. Where do you live? Maybe I can just send it out to you.
Katherine
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Author: kevinbarry
Date: 2012-11-23 08:51
I had similar problems with a sore thumb - I'm 75 and the body does not bounce back to full health so quickly! I tried too tried to buy the Fhred and failed. I am in the UK and no one here stocks them any more.
I suggest searching for telescopic fishing rod rests, which are very inexpensive, buying one of a suitable height, then sitting the clarinet on that in front of your chair to hold the weight.
As an alternative - this is what I am currently doing. I use an elastic neck strap, which is not comfortable I admit, adjust it so the clarinet is pulling towards me a little , then I place my thumb ABOVE the cork thumb rest so my thumb pushes it slightly away. This reverses the normal holding process and leaves the sore bit of my thumb on top and untouched.
The sore area (rather like a blister deep down in the tissue) is gradually mending so I held off trying my telescopic rod rest idea in case I do not need it. That might well come next!
I was going to post this information later as a "How I solved my ancient sore thumb problem" after it worked completely (assuming that it does, which currently seems likely) but this is a good opportunity.
Good luck with the problem.
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Author: DanVeach
Date: 2012-11-23 13:52
My favorite trick is simply to rest the bell on a metal spice can of the appropriate size. Lay it flat between your legs and put some wide rubber bands on it to keep the bell from slipping. This works better for me than the FHRED, which always made my elbow sore after while.
www.danveach.com
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Author: Ohio_AT
Date: 2012-12-17 20:21
FHRED arrived today! Thank you for your kindness Katherine - what a nice gift! Looking forward to trying it out. I think it will help.
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Author: Bobby McClellan
Date: 2012-12-20 22:26
I hate that these are not made anymore. It is a perfect fit to use with a Basset A
Bobby M. McClellan
Flowood, MS
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-12-20 22:35
Keep watching this space for further developments.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: donald
Date: 2012-12-20 22:43
Check out the neckstrap/chest support device from Steve Fox- a friend of mine got one when she was having heaps of problems with her wrist, it completely supports the instrument and she found it great to use. She had expected the pressure on her stomach to be irritating or distracting but very quickly became used to it.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2013-05-22 12:34
Hi All,
Recital in five weeks, wrist frustrations beginning to rise. I bamboozled my wrist splitting/stacking wood early last fall, and subsequently have had three different issues with the musculature.
Once I'm past the recital I'll be working with physical therapist to strengthen it, and in addition I'm expecting a big drop in practicing productivity as kid no 2 shows up. Perfect time to let things rest and then rebuild.
I'm looking to make it cross the finish line here. Already use a neckstrap. Thumb rest position and RH position are not topics of discussion for me, although I appreciate your thoughts in this area.
I'm not going to pursue the Fox product because I'm parting with my Rossi Bb this summer. Fantastic horn, but new kid, new house, can't bring my self to invest in a Rossi A right now.
Anyone have a lead to a FHRED they're willing to part with?
My thanks again!
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2013-05-22 13:59
Just occurred to me that I don't know how the FHRED attaches. If it is essentially like an inverted lyre that attaches at the middle joint -- it's a not an option for me anyway!
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-05-22 14:03
Oops! Duplicate post.
See below.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2013-05-22 14:04)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-05-22 14:03
You need a thumbrest with a ring soldered to the back - like a cor anglais or oboe d'amore one.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-05-22 15:02
The FHRED had three options: a belly pad, a neck strap or a modified instrument stand.
Stephen Fox makes a belly pad, particularly for his modern basset A clarinets, but I couldn't get comfortable when I tried it. Also, it interfered with my inhalation.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2013-05-22 16:42
Yup -- have a loop to attach it, that's good. Now I just have to find one!
Thanks Chris, Ken,
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-05-22 17:06
The ring has to be vertical (inline with the bore) to use the Fhred. If your thumbrest ring is perpendicular to the bore, then it may not work so you'll have to get it modified.
I think the basic one had some kind of wire or cord which you could wrap around the narrow part of the thumbrest by the base.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: AlexThomson
Date: 2013-10-18 08:15
Hi,
I'm currently trying to chase down a fhred. I've had a look on all the normal sites and I can't find one. I understand that the company has gone under, but hopefully there's some lying around somewhere!
Thanks 😊
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2014-05-28 20:19
Thanks for the link Chris!
Thankfully for me -- no more wrist issues these days.
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: kilo
Date: 2014-05-29 00:30
Thanks Chris! This approach works so much better than a neck strap — I hope it becomes very popular.
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