[Dixielandjazz] Thumbrest (was Miscellaneous Ramblings)

[LARRY'S Signs and Large Format Printing]

Does this hold your hand more or less in position.  A couple of years ago I
fell and got some nerve damage in my fingers on both hands.  It's worse in
my right hand.  My problem is that my fingers tend to wander because I can
no longer tell exactly where they are in relationship to the holes.  I
wonder if this might firm up my hand position.  I tend to hit the sliver key
that's between the 5th and 6 holes.  I'm having that key sealed shut but
sometimes I miss the 6th hole slightly.  I can't tell if it's hand or finger
position (or both) that's doing it.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Aad Overeem" <aad.overeem at wanadoo.nl>
To: "LARRY'S Signs and Large Format Printing" <sign.guy at charter.net>; "Tom
Belmessieri" <tbelmo at hotmail.com>; <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2005 5:04 PM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Thumbrest (was Miscellaneous Ramblings)


> 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
> > > >
>