Introducing The 'Claritie' - Right Hand Thumb and Wrist Support for Clarinet Players
I am fortunate enough to not have suffered greatly from pain in my hands from supporting my musical instruments but I know many players who have struggled with strain induced problems, sadly some to the point of giving up playing altogether. I have recently become aware of a product that really works and which any players suffering from such problems needs to know about. To order follow the link below to see the 'Claritie' as offered by Woodwind and Reed, specialist music shop, Cambridge, UK:
Here is the advertising blurb itself:
For all clarinet players who suffer from pain and tension
in their right hand thumb and wrist from playing – there is now a total
solution available!
A fantastic, new invention that holds the clarinet in the correct playing position, but takes all the weight of the thumb. An excellent solution for those with RSS or Arthritis.
The hook ring fits between the bell and bottom joint and the hanger goes between your body and the hook fitting.
The hook ring fits between the bell and bottom joint and the hanger goes between your body and the hook fitting.
Daniel Bangham, a master craftsman, repairer and retailer
based in Cambridge in the United Kingdom, has developed a support that has the
effect of making a clarinet virtually weightless, suspended
without reliance on the right hand thumb for lifting.
This clarinet support, invented and perfected over the last
few years with leading UK players and in consultation with long term sufferers
of thumb and wrist agonies, is the best answer available to
provide relief from pain and eliminate this aggravating problem.
Forget making alterations to your instrument or thumbrest,
complicated and fussy pegs requiring frequent adjustments, stands that can only
be used when seated, this clever device takes all the weight of the instrument
without compromising your optimum playing angle. It can be used seated or
standing. Easy and quick to install and use, its neat design requires no
modifications to the clarinet, no screws changed or holes drilled and can be
transferred from one instrument to another without fuss.
Made from the finest materials, polished steel and rosewood
contact support the Claritie is as elegant as it is effective.
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Once I became aware of the value of the Claritie I became so enthusiastic about it I wrote the following product review:
Product Review
A proven new support device for sufferers of aching thumbs
and sore wrists as a result of playing the clarinet is now available. It has
been my privilege to observe the development of this new product through my
work at Woodwind & Reed in Cambridge, UK. It was here in this shop that
Daniel Bangham, owner and innovative thinker about such matters, worked
alongside visiting customers who had experienced problems ranging from minor
occasional discomfort in their right hand thumbs to career-threatening pain
that could have resulted in a forced cessation from all playing of the
clarinet. Fortunately for these customers Daniel was able to create a device
that really does make a clarinet feel virtually weightless allowing players to
perform without complete comfort and at no sacrifice to their musical or
physical experience.
I have performed with this device myself and IT REALLY
WORKS.
When using this device the clarinet is suspended via a
sprung wire triangulation attached to a hook slipped in-between the lower joint
and the bell during assembly, a contact point on the abdomen (ever so comfortable)
and a sling that, when properly adjusted, provides position and stabilisation
to the device itself. The sling is not attached to the clarinet at all. No
restrictions in holding position, no unwanted contact between a sling and the
left hand thumb, no bulky or awkward tabs to get in the way of the right hand
thumb and no fixed location contact points to chair or to the floor that so
many stand based products require.
I have seen customers full of praise for this device and as a
result of using the Claritie they have been able to return to regular pain-free playing for the first time
in years. Not only is it a clever application of fundamental physics but it is
so simple to use. It can be set-up in a matter of seconds, is lightweight as
you would expect, and requires no alteration to the instrument itself. The experience of standing up playing an open G, with no contact of either hand
at all required to hold the instrument, is so surprising and initially
disorientating that it is hard to believe that it really is possible. With the
clarinet support in use the amount of contact required in either hand is an
absolute minimum to close the rings, cover the holes and depress keywork –
nothing extra from the fingers to maintain the playing position.
I would recommend this device to any player suffering from
pain as a result of holding their clarinet and for those who thought they would
have to give up playing their beloved instrument I can quite honestly say –
think again – help is truly at hand.
Thomas Dryer-Beers, staff member WWR (www.wwr.co.uk)
Woodwind Performer and Teacher
Consultant to Reeds Direct Cambridge (www.reedsdirect.co.uk)
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