Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2014-12-26 20:09
1) Medical intervention like Ken said.
2) Consider use of a neckstrap...although for left thumb pain I question its ability to address your issues....right thumb/hand pain, that would be a different story
3) Mr. Shaffer, you're relative new to clarinet I seem to recall from other posts, correct? I ask because it's not uncommon for new players to take play related stress out on their fingers. Or to restate, fingers are often straight rather than curved as they should be, and keys get slammed down, when a better word for describing clarinet finger movement is "placement," or to simply place the finger where it needs to be.
Of course I can't see your play, but I can tell you that fingers that are curved, and at attention, but not at a state consistent with a "cat ready to pounce" are not only necessary to prevent strain, but for "opening the door" down the road for faster tempo playing.
Envision that I've asked you to hold the end of a baseball bat with your left hand, where the bat is in a vertical position, perpendicular to your body, and the bat's "sweat spot" is further from the ground.
"Dollars to donuts" you'd grab that bat with the very curved fingers that nature gave us, rather than the flatter fingers one might associate with you holding a slice of bread (on its top and bottom).
Well, with the exception of a somewhat straightened thumb, but not one that's tense, that's how your left hand should be positioned if its not already.
Practice with a slow metronome for precise movement of the fingers.
If you desire a visual, my "hero" in the finger department is Burt Hara. Notice how curved and precise and fluid those fingers are.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMMxi5jvgQI
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Please don't do any of this as a substitute for Ken's suggestion to engage the medical system. Like he said, they can not only pinpoint cause, but offer therapy and exercises to help you.
Good luck.
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