 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: AlessiaDunn
Date: 2015-04-27 15:00
I'm part of a student team within the University of Sheffield set the task design, build and market a fantastic musical aid, and we would love to hear your opinions!
We've been really interested in the once loved FHRED (kickstand thumb rest support for the clarinet), and how the business disappeared. We're designing a new product which will have some new features to make playing easier and freer. We think it has the potential a learning aid for young children as well as support for the thumb without the use of a neck strap.
I was wondering who in the past have used FHRED's? What do you think of them?Have you seen the RDGinc BHOB? (BHOB has been redesigned for Oboes but the principal is the same, we'd love to expand it back to clarinets)
http://www.rdgwoodwinds.com/kickstand-bhob-oboe-long-p-12590.html
It would be fantastic to hear any of your thoughts about using them whether it was in the past or currently! There's a real potential to get this product made and sold in the future so if anyone would be interested we may be able arrange a trial run with our prototype!
Thanks in advance! Alessia
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-04-27 17:29
Two thoughts, one caveat.
Caveat: The word "pitch," as used below has nothing to do with accoustics and intonation, and everything to do with the angle an object forms with the horizon.
Thought 1) Check out some of Stephen Fox's products http://www.sfoxclarinets.com/Accessories.html#clar acc particularly his clarinet support brace, for ideas.
Thought 2) I think there is somewhat of a trade off between devices that hold the clarinet at a fixed pitch, roll and yaw http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aircraft_principal_axes if I may borrow some aeronautical terms, and ease of play. Some product makers in this space are so concerned with being able for the player to adjust these positions before playing, and keep them contant during play, that they loose sight of the real goal: which is player comfort.
While keeping the clarinet relatively still during play is best, the expectation that there may be no movement, particular in respect to pitch (i.e. the angle formed between the clarinet and the player's, for the most part, vertical torso and up), IMHO, is equally silly. Clarinetists don't seek an inability to make subtle changes to the instruments orientation to them during play, but rather they seek to avoid the discomfort of bearing the clarinet's weight for durations of time.
Accordingly, I am of the opinion that, if this is doable at your end, you may want to rethink going down the FHRED route, and instead, pursue elastic neckstraps, which when designed optimally, (which IMHO they are not, and this is where you come in) are the best (not perfect) single solution, perhaps in combination with other mechanisms. They hold up most of a soprano clarinet's weight, but allow the player to make minor adustments to pitch, roll and yaw, particularly pitch, during play. I think they provide the best combination of ability to address the clarinet's weight, and manuever the instrument.
I've found that tightening up on the neckstrap when the clarinet rides too low to play isn't all it's cracked up to be. While it raises the clarinet, the additional strain on the elastic makes subtle movement of the instrument during play harder. Perhaps this can be addressed by adding product included elastics to the neckstrap, each with different (and additional) marginal weight resistance, until the clarinet's height from the mouth remains constant (sans player movement during testing, and sans hands holding up the instrument--if not also insuring it doesn't fall to the ground.)
(Patent the idea of added resistance to a elastic musical instrument supporting device.)
With such a device, and the clarinet in your mouth, weight, roll, and yaw are dealt with, if not pitch. The embouchure handles roll and yaw.
For some players, even if most of the clarinet's weight is addressed, simple keeping the clarinet at pitch requires arms that may strain under their own weight, let alone what little weight is required to establish and maintain pitch, when using a strap.
Perhaps a device like Mr. Fox's, only, perhaps spring loaded, might help with pitch control.
Good luck!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Roxann
Date: 2015-04-27 19:21
The WRIST looks like a very sturdy adaptive device. Unfortunately, it's awfully spendy. Too bad the FHRED isn't a tripod instead of a single leg, as it would be much more stable. I'm too short to set the bell on my leg. However, a device that would go under my legs on the chair and be held in place with the weight of my legs so I could rest my bell on it...that might be something worth exploring. I've seen something like that for a bassoon. Another possible device for your team to explore creating would be a different kind of neck strap. Sax straps come in a more halter-like option (http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/360690045097) to take the weight off the neck vertebrae. Best of luck with your project!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-04-27 19:25
Roxann wrote:
"a device that would go under my legs on the chair and be held in place with the weight of my legs so I could rest my bell on it..."
Good one Roxann...if I may.....
...that might have, by design, some play in it, (maybe even whose play is controlled by the turn of a knob), so as to allow subtle changes to clarinet angular pitch (i.e. not pitch as in intonation) with respect to the player's body.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: AlessiaDunn
Date: 2015-04-27 21:50
Thank you for all you're comments already, it's really fantastic hearing the view points of actual clarinetist! Although I am a musician, I am not unfortunately a clarinetist, so the precise issues I have only gaged from others.
We will be having some serious meetings to see if we can find a way to make the devise a little more sturdy, as that appears to be the major issue. We're keen to try and find another way to offer support to take weight of the neck, but allow movement for playing, so will look to support the bell as an alternative as well.
The W.R.I.S.T does look fantastic, however reliant on having a music stand in front of you, and as said by Roxann, tad expensive!
We'll get our thinking caps on!
Thanks again!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2015-04-27 21:56
clarinetfixer -
Can you give us a link to the Fhred at the RDG site?
Thanks.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Roxann
Date: 2015-04-27 22:55
http://www.rdgwoodwinds.com/kickstand-bhob-clarinet-long-backordered-p-12593.html
This is the link for clarinets.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clairmusic
Date: 2015-05-04 18:23
I have used the FHRED for 15 yrs. it works great!!!! one of my old teachers turned me on to it. She had gotten one after having carpel tunnel surgery. It really advances your fingering technique, moving faster and smoother. You have to play with a "close" body technique or that's what works for me, but I've always played that way. Just bring the horn closer to the body, this will help stabilize the clarinet. I also play with my legs/ feet crossed under the chair for support. But all in all, it is an awesome tool to acquire. Once you get used to using it, you'll never use a strap again.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
