 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dan Paprocki
Date: 2016-12-01 19:48
what do people feel is the correct right thumb placement? So where should an adjustable thumbrest be set? I have heard different ideas so I'm curious where people set their thumbrest and why.
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Author: ned
Date: 2016-12-02 06:23
Set it where it is most comfortable. It's as simple as that.
As I have aged, the position of my TR has moved...further upwards towards the joint break. My newest setup has the rest placed a smidgin below the 3rd hole of bottom joint.
By the way, a smidgin = not much.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2016-12-02 06:47
I very recently turned my non-adjustable thumb rest on my very early 10G upside down and it feels much better. For me the critical parameter is the ease of reaching the RH E/B and F#/C# levers. I was becoming more and more uncomfortable every time I had to play a RH B in a B-C#-D# combination. I was increasingly sliding from LH B to LH C# - it was less risky.. Effectively moving the thumb rest up (by inverting it) allows me to bring my pinky back to those two levers more easily.
Of course, the adjustable ones are there because everyone's fingers are different in length and thickness, which accounts for all the different ideas you've heard.
Karl
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Author: ned
Date: 2016-12-03 14:00
''...Of course, the adjustable ones are there because everyone's fingers are different...''
I moved mine because of arthritis of the thumb.
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2016-12-03 21:22
higher than where the maker placed it. It gets worse as you get older, less limber and more arthritic. Nearly everybody needs an adjustable rest
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Author: Jarmo Hyvakko
Date: 2016-12-04 13:35
I have placed my right thumb opposite the middle finger. If i place it higher, not to mention about placing it opposite the index finger, my forearm muscles get sore very quickly. My theory is this: the thumb should be so low, that you don't need to use the muscles you move your thumb to support the Instrument. It sort of hangs on your thumb. Move your thumb and look at your forearm, you will see the muscles connected to your thumb, how they are connected to your elbow. If those muscles gets strained, you are in danger in developing yourself a "golf-elbow", similar nuisance to tennis-elbow, but on the opposite side of the elbow (move your other four fingers and you find that place)
Jarmo Hyvakko, Principal Clarinet, Tampere Philharmonic, Finland
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Author: kdk
Date: 2016-12-04 18:37
Jarmo Hyvakko wrote:
> I have placed my right thumb opposite the middle finger. ... My
> theory is this: the thumb should be so low, that you don't need
> to use the muscles you move your thumb to support the
> Instrument.
When I taught in a public school system, I taught strings for many years. The "rule of thumb" (please forgive the pun) for cellists was to place the thumb behind the finger board directly behind the middle finger when in the lower positions. So I assume there's an anatomical basis for this alignment in keeping the hand flexible and stress-free.
But in playing clarinet, there is for many of us a conflict between this neutral position for the thumb and the need to get the last fingers, especially the RH pinky, to the E/B and F#/C# levers without pulling the hand so far out of position that other fingers slide off their tone holes. The clarinet can be supported by other means if needed - e.g. resting on a knee or using a neck strap or seat-mounted support. I know there are players who strongly object to these alternatives to supporting the clarinet's weight, but there are equally as many who use them quite successfully.
I have in fact removed the thumb rest entirely from my bass clarinet because the strain of reaching back to the bottom lever keys is uncomfortable with it mounted in any position I've tried. The instrument is supported on a peg and I stabilize it when necessary with my calves around the bottom.
On a soprano clarinet for some specific passages I lay my right thumb *on top* of the rest to free my 4th and 5th fingers up to get to the keywork more easily. In these situations I need to hold the Bb clarinet up on my knee or the A clarinet (because it's longer) between my knees for support.
There are "rules of thumb" but no absolutes.
Karl
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Author: ned
Date: 2016-12-05 04:21
''...I have placed my right thumb opposite the middle finger...''
This makes perfect anatomical sense. Whilst one can align the thumb with any digit, the obvious placement is thumb to forefinger.
''...for some specific passages I lay my right thumb *on top* of the rest...''
I have done this as well (above the rest), but it compromises the stability of the instrument. An adjustable TR is the best option.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2016-12-08 18:04
Many years ago I had a student that had his thumb rest lowered from the standard position before the adjustable rests became common. When I tried it felt so good when I played it because it put less pressure on my right hand pinky and 4th finger so I had my repair tech lower mine. In time I bought adjustable thumb rests and found the perferct position for my hand. I keep it rather low compared to many but it feels great. Place it where it feels the most comfortable for the lower keys and still able to reach the side keys on the top joint because everyones hands are different.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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