When im practising my clarinet, after about 10-15mins my right wrist begins to hurt. I heard that if u experience any discomfort then stop. Has anyone got any tips on how to stop the pain?

perhaps u shud consider how u are holding ure clarinet. try holding it up a bit more or repositioning your arm?

if that doesnt work practise in 15 minute slots and then work your way up!

You could be experiencing pain because there is tension in your wrist. I have the same problem with playing the flute and I know it is because of tension has I also suffer with it from time to time with the piano but my teacher has pointed out why i'm suffering and it is due to tension. You could try doing breathing exercises before you start playing to help you relax. If you are still experencing pain then I suggest that you speak to your doctor has there may be an underlaying problem with your wrist. I hope that for your benefit of playing that it is only a case of tension in your wrist.
Hope this helps some what.
musicalmillie

I don't play the clarinet, but know someone who had the same complaint. She addressed an Occupational therapist who solved the problem by making her a wrist and thumb support. The problem was solved!!

Is your thumbrest in an awkward position?( too low?)

Hi MM,
I little while ago I fitted a Ton Kooiman Etude thumbrest to a clarinet used by myself and my daughter. We are both beginners. You can see it here:

http://www.tonkooiman.com/

It's a plastic 'hook' that can be be set in various height positions, and has some degree of rotation too. Maybe this, or something similar, would help.

Does anyone else use this thumbrest?

Mike A.

Mike,

Where could I order it and how much? i mean the Etude thumbrest. I want to try.

I am not in UK and actually I am hong kong, asia.
could they have postal service? Thanks!!

You can buy little rubber things which you slip over the thumbrest. Now, I can play for hours instead of less than an hour.

Rubber things are only good while you are a beginner, so if you get used to it you won't be able to get rid of it later on and it does hinder hand position. The most common problem is when you put your right hand underthe rest you are resting it on the thumb knuckle. It should be sitting on the bottom right corner of the thumb nail. It does take a bit of building up but so does your mouth so do it gradually, playing several times each day for 5 or 10 minutes. This should solve the problem.

QUOTE (missmusic @ Dec 24 2003, 01:50 PM)

When im practising my clarinet, after about 10-15mins my right wrist begins to hurt. I heard that if u experience any discomfort then stop. Has anyone got any tips on how to stop the pain?

It is just possible that your clarinet isn't quite at the correct angle ie 45 degrees from your position remember the more virtical your instrument is the greater the gravitational pull.When in pain place the clarinet on some safe surface first relax your R hand then form a fist squeezing gently this reives the musclular discomfort.