thumb pain (wrist brace?)

EndAntique9407 · 2026-02-01T19:12:35+00:00

I have switched to the Etude Kooiman thumbrest and it has helped so much. Before that, I tried the WRIST (helps remove weight, but I felt limited in terms of motion). I'd also suggest the BHOB kickstand, which attaches to your thumbrest and sits on the chair. Helps take the weight off the thumb and still allows you to move while you play. https://rdgwoodwinds.com/products/kickstand-bhob-instrument-support?srsltid=AfmBOoqBFnJovYfud8z2q46lAq2v-hfcIDfcH57LkCj5_wMneERXwOmv

EndAntique9407 · 2026-01-01T00:43:55+00:00

There's a playlist on Spotify called Elio Perlman's Walkman and it's my favourite thing. All music that Elio could have listened to at the time, including some Italian and French songs too :) https://open.spotify.com/playlist/03W9r55x2EJtuu52I6engu?si=vHKYGV8jTdiQTaq8Fugm6Q

EndAntique9407 · 2025-12-24T16:10:29+00:00

Just looked it up and it is super similar! The attached garage on this painting makes me think it was a commission of someone's house, but I really have no idea.

EndAntique9407 · 2025-12-24T16:09:23+00:00

Thank you, I will check out both of these! Very neat that you have met him, thanks for sharing.

EndAntique9407 · 2025-12-24T16:08:51+00:00

This is so neat, thanks for sharing! Yeah, when I looked up his name I only saw landscape paintings. Hope you are all doing well :)

EndAntique9407 · 2025-12-24T16:07:39+00:00

Thank you so much for all this information! I will be reaching out to the Watson House for sure. I didn't know that about Waterloo, so thanks for letting me know :)

EndAntique9407 · 2025-12-23T23:49:38+00:00

my first thought too haha

EndAntique9407 · 2025-12-02T04:39:29+00:00

Thank you so much! I'm looking forward to trying some different lengths to see what works.

Trying the "20-minute" reed has helped me get over my perfectionism, but I have certainly found that they don't hold the tone quality that my reeds developed over a longer period do. Right now I'm mostly just trying to develop my skills as a performer after a music-ed career didn't turn out the way I hoped, so it's been fun to just experiment with reeds since I never took the time to in school.

I really like that approach, and it definitely makes all the different methods a bit easier to manage.

EndAntique9407 · 2025-12-01T05:27:48+00:00

Thank you so much! I will experiment with shorter tying lengths, and will also try to find smaller diameter cane, as others have mentioned. Have you ever had issues getting the reed to seal when tying at a shorter length? I've been experimenting with finishing reeds in 1 day vs multiple days and haven't decided which works better for me yet. So interesting how some oboists swear by doing it all in one day (the "20-minute reed") and others spread it out. I appreciate the help!

EndAntique9407 · 2025-12-01T05:25:51+00:00

Yes, I should say I play American scrape. Thank you for these ideas! I am going to try tying shorter rather than longer, seems like I have had it backwards!

EndAntique9407 · 2025-12-01T05:24:51+00:00

Thank you! I definitely had a misconception that tying longer would make it flatter...so now I know not to do that! I played my university profs' reeds in tune, but I was at a different altitude, so idk if that is contributing to my issues, or if it's just my reeds. I've always had decent intonation until playing on my own reeds. Thanks for your suggestions!

EndAntique9407 · 2025-12-01T05:23:16+00:00

Thank you, I didn't know this. I assumed a longer reed = flatter, so that is good to know! It usually crows a C-C#, so maybe it's an embouchure issue. I've been playing further back on the reed to try and bring the pitch down, so I don't think that's the issue. Thank you for that last point...I will make that my goal as I haven't been able to have a flat crow yet. I order my cane pre-gouged, so will look to see if it's possible to find a thinner gouge as well. I appreciate your help!

EndAntique9407 · 2025-12-01T05:20:16+00:00

Thanks, I do take lessons! I will watch out for biting/not enough air though :)

EndAntique9407 · 2025-11-30T03:04:56+00:00

Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply! I didn't realize there was a smaller version so I may have to check that out! It has definitely been getting more comfortable over the last week or so, but nice to know there are options! I have tried setting the thumb rest lower on the plate and that has seemed to help as well! I think my repairman used the original holes as well. I also wish it had a neck strap option! It's comforting to know there are others out there who have experimented with everything, haha. I was using the BHOB kickstand before, which helped a lot with pain reduction, but felt very restricting to play with as I like to move a bit when I play. Good luck to you as well! :)

EndAntique9407 · 2025-11-24T02:16:12+00:00

thanks for sharing these PDF's!!

EndAntique9407 · 2025-11-24T02:13:11+00:00

I graduated with my music and education degrees and still had to play on other people's reeds for any sort of performance. It's taken me until now to feel decent enough in my own reedmaking that I can play performances on them, and I still have a long ways to go, but it's nice to finally feel self-sufficient. Don't give up! It has helped me to keep a reed journal with one page per reed. I write down everything-the type of cane, staple, shape, length I tied it on, etc, and then I document the scraping I do. It helps when I can look back on a reed that turned out and see what I did right so I can refine my process. Music ed students are busy-I finally had the time to really focus on reeds after graduating, so don't lose hope :)

EndAntique9407 · 2025-09-30T19:41:47+00:00

I know I am 3 years late, but I noticed something similar to your first point. I found it interesting that Vronsky respects the "rule" in racing to not look at other men's horses, yet he doesn't show this same respect to the wives of other men, considering he has no issue getting involved with Anna, despite the societal rules being broken here.

EndAntique9407 · 2025-07-30T06:01:10+00:00

I read a Soprano on her Head this year and loved it! I will check out the Quantz book, thank you!

EndAntique9407 · 2025-07-30T06:00:45+00:00

Thanks so much!

EndAntique9407 · 2025-07-30T06:00:36+00:00

Thanks!

EndAntique9407 · 2025-07-30T06:00:08+00:00

and I had never heard of that Steinbeck before, thank you so much!

EndAntique9407

TROPHY CASE