[Dixielandjazz] Thumbrest (was Miscellaneous Ramblings)

[Aad Overeem]

Hey Larry, Tom, Steve and other listmates,

As a reedinstruments player (clarinets and saxes) I suffered also thumb pain
for years, when playing the clarinet. Tried everything from painkillers to
neckstrap etc., I even quit clarinet playing for some time, for years I only
played my saxophones.

But I missed the beautiful sound of my clarinet, so about two years ago I
dusted of, my trusted Selmer Series 9 Bb clarinet, mounted a regular Selmer
adjustable thumb rest and started playing again. After some weeks of
playing, much to my horror, again I developed thumb-pain.

But! Thanks to an article in the Dutch magazine 'De Klarinet' I learned
about the 'Ton Kooiman Etude' Thumb-rest. I ordered one, and to my
astonishment, after getting used to it, the pain disappeared!

The Etude makes it possible to move the pressure point of the thumb rest to
the first phalanx of the thumb to the space between the two joints.
The lever momentum is much smaller at this point so the thumb can support
the weight more easily.

I know this sounds as a commercial, but it really is not. For me it works!

There are two differen types of thumb-rests, the 'Maestro' an expensive
'pro' model, and the 'Etude' a simpler plastic thumb-rest, I use the 'Etude'
that's good enough for me. Besides curing my thumb pain it also gives me
more 'control' with the instrument.
You can find more information on Ton Kooiman's website: www.tonkooiman.com
Decide for yourself to have a look, I'm not involved in any commercial way
with this great device. I'm only emotional involved because I'm so thankful
it helps me.

Hope this helps !

All the very best,

Aad Overeem
The Netherlands

http://www.hammerfieldstompers.nl


----- Original Message -----
From: "LARRY'S Signs and Large Format Printing" <sign.guy at charter.net>
To: "Tom Belmessieri" <tbelmo at hotmail.com>; <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2005 10:33 PM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Miscellaneous Ramblings (Ringwald,
Mason,Belmessieri et al.)


> The Selmer clarinets have an adjustable thumb rest so you could probably
> have a repair shop put one on.  They also sell a rubber piece that fits
over
> the thumb rest but a piece of 1/2" plastic tubing would most likely fit
too.

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tom Belmessieri" <tbelmo at hotmail.com>
>
> > Hey Steve,
> >
> > My clarinetist occasionally suffers from the same awkward thumb
placement,
> > thus creating a callus and cramp in his hand after many hours of
playing.
> > He is considering moving that little thumb knuckle to make it more
> > comfortable with his way of holding the instrument.  If I see any other
> good
> > suggestions out there, I'll pass them on to him.  (How about a thumb
sock?
> > Could start a trend.)
> >
> >
> > Tom B.
> >
> > ----------
> > >From: Steve barbone <barbonestreet at earthlink.net>
> > >To: DJML <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
> > >Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Miscellaneous Ramblings (Ringwald,
> > >Mason,Belmessieri et al.)
> > >Date: Tue, 07 Jun 2005 13:40:07 -0400
> > >
> > >Hey Tom:
> > >
> > >Right on, no need to raise up the clarinet. The reason many of us do it
> is
> > >because of "show business" concerns and/or because working clarinetists
> > >develop a painful callus on the edge of the thumb knuckle. Thus,
holding
> it
> > >down normally can hurt like hell. By tilting back the head and holding
it
> > >horizontally, it takes the pain away as the padded area of the thumb
> > >supports the horn rather than the knuckle.
> > >
> > >I regularly clip my callus. Does anyone out there have a better
solution?
> > >
> > >Right on about using a mike. Nothing wrong with it when the need
arises.
> We
> > >frequently gig in outdoor large area/large audience venues. Even Kenny
> > >Davern would use a mike in that situation where the audience is 5000+
and
> > >some of it over 200 yards away.
> > >
> > >Cheers,
> > >Steve Barbone
> > >