Next generation
The Etude Thumb Rest is a light weight thumb rest for clarinet and Oboe made out of durable plastics. The Etude enhances the freedom of playing. Allows for faster and easier movement of the ring- and little finger and it prevents fatigue of the thumb and hand. (+ arm and shoulder). It gives you a sense of control and a firm “grip” on your instrument.
The Etude Thumb Rest allows the instrument to rest on the space between the two joints on the thumb. The lever momentum is much smaller at this point so the thumb can support the weight much more easily. Much of the energy used for supporting the weight then becomes available for handling the instrument. And can be used to improve control and speed up playing technique.
New features
Metal hook
The Etude Thumb Rest has a new metal hook covered with soft rubber and a casing with improved ergonomics.
Adjustable
The hook is adjustable in height as well.
Durability
Improved design and construction and materials for durability.
Small hands
Optional rubber inlay for small hands.
Ergonomics
The use of the Etude Thumb Rest invites you into a new way of carrying your instrument! Instead of “hanging at the tendons”, the musician will now carry the instrument in an “active” way! The thumb is held higher and is either straight or slightly bent. The thumb can be held at an angle also, allowing for a more relaxed hand position on the instrument. The result is a “natural and individual” posture.
Effortless
Much of the energy used for supporting the weight then becomes available for handling the instrument. Instead of “hanging at the tendons”, the musician will now carry the instrument in an “active” way!
Reviews
Marko Kmet
Hello Ton! I just thought it would be nice to drop you a line to tell you that we have received and started using the thumb rests you had sent. It really has proved to be an outstanding device! My son’s teacher is very much impressed and she said that his right hand position had started to improve almost immediately. He is also satisfied and can practice for a longer period of time and the tones from H1 to G2 no longer pose a problem. Thank you again for you cooperation and all the best in the future!
Marko Kmet Medical Specialist (Slovenia)
Murray Middleman
I started to enjoy the freedom in my right hand, and even noticed that my tone was improving, and opening up, in a lovely way. And the best thing of all was that I was able to finally concentrate on making music and improving my abilities, as my fingers in my right hand, were now able to float, over the keys Now I am able to extend my practice sessions playing again with a joy and exuberance. Lastly, after a few days of excellent clarinet practice with your Etude 3, my “chops” were feeling great! At my Jazz gig, I was able to perform with and incredible energy and freedom. thanks to you Ton, I will look forward many years of performing happily.
Murray Middleman Jazz Hollywood
Caryn
I was so excited to get to your package today, much sooner than I had expected. The smaller Etude fit the slide I already had on my clarinet, so I tried it right away. It’s terrific! It’s comfortable and, even better, I can hear a marked improvement in my tone, something I didn’t expect. Thank you so much for this and for the others, which I am also very glad to have. And thank you, too, for including the spare rubber piece, which looks like it might fit the Etude 1 rests, too. You’re so good! Thank you for being so kind to me! I will think of you every time I play, which looks like it’s going to be for many more years.
FAQ
empty first row
What are the ergonomic benefits of the Etude Thumb Rest?
The new Etude Thumb Rest has been changed and the lower part of the casing has been made bigger to ensure more support for the thumb. At this spot the surface has been made more course to “explain” where to put the thumb. The Etude3 Thumb Rest has an in height adjustable hook (for players with smaller hands). The Etude3/small has a different rubber in the hook allowing for a smaller thumb diameter.
How to install Etude Thumb Rest?
With the info in the manual, one can fix the mounting slide onto the body themselves, but our advice is to ask a repair person to do this for you, if you feel some hesitation to do this yourself. When buying a new Etude Thumb Rest, often the mounting slide has to be changed as well. Check the depth of the original holes to prevent the wood to be pulled upwards when screwing in the new screws. And please do not tighten too much easy does it. Too loose is not good either. Then the slide wiggles to much and becomes more loose. This is also prevented by using the double sided sticky tape at the back of the mounting slide.
You can use two of the holes to fix the new mounting slide. Some of my fellow repairmen want 4 holes and will drill two extra. But not everyone likes extra holes to be drilled. So you can also use two layers of 2-sided sticky tape (Tesa Carpet tape) at the back of the mounting side to add extra strength when only two screws are used in the original holes. The mounting slide of the Etude Thumb Rest can be fixed onto most brands due to the 6 oblong holes in the mounting slide. Please check if the mounting slide is fixed about 22 mm from the top of the lower joint if you hesitate which row of three to use.
How to adjustment the Etude Thumb Rest?
The adjustment in height of the whole thumb rest has be done by pulling the casing down (not with the hook). When you go down too much, then shift the thumb rest further down and off the mounting slide and slide it at the top down again. (It goes only one way like the tie ribs). Some “clicks” will be heard. When you count these clicks , you will know that the thumb rest will be at the same height next time. The hook can be adjusted in height separately by turning the long screw. The head of the screw is at the bottom.
What about different hand sizes?
I cannot give you the exact measurements for hands and it also depends on which kind of hands too. But when you know of yourself that your hands are pretty small, then the Etude Small will be the best choice. You cannot go wrong because if you buy the regular one with the black rubber around the hook, there is enough possibility of adjustment to adapt to your size of hand/thumb (turning the screw at the bottom to the right will lower the hook). The dark red rubber of the Etude3-small allows for a tighter snug fit in case of a smaller thumb though. Either the black one or the red one (this is the part that turns the thumb rest into either the regular [black] or small [red] version). One of the most important things to remember is that you have to bend your thumb a little downwards (instead of upwards as you are used to do now).
Is the Etude Thumb Rest suitable for people with large hands?
The only other option for musicians with large hands that remains, is to purchase the more expensive Maestro which covers all sizes of hands! The Etude Thumb Rest covers about 70% of the “market” (or hands existing)
How to get use to the Etude Thumb Rest?
Bending the thumb is crucial, but don’t use the thumb too much as a lever. Pulling the inside thumb muscle only a little bit. It is the combined use of several other muscles, than you are used to previously. Together they are stronger than the one “hanging on”in the past. And being shifted to the place between the two joints of course. Nevertheless, these muscles have to be trained a bit sometimes. So immediately playing for a long time will not work OR right before a concert. You need a little playing in time, to train in the new situation. How long is different for all musicians. Sometime within days, and mostly within weeks.
On which instruments can the Etude Thumb Rest be applied?
The Etude Thumb Rest can be used on both Clarinet and Oboe. This is possible because of two rails at the back of the mounting slide and will compensate for the difference in diameter of the two different bodies (Oboe approx. 25/26 mm and Clarinet approx 28/29 mm). The Etude Thumb Rest can also be used on recorder very well. For other instruments such as English horns we advise to use the Maestro Thumb Rest.
Is it possilble to attach a neck strap to the Etude Thumb Rest?
The Etude Thumb Rest has no requirements for using a neck strap yet. Apart from tying a shoe lace around it. The new design (nr3) did not make this possible and the (plastic) construction is not suitable for it. Some people ask a for using this extra possibility to take away a portion of the weight of the instrument. In a future new Design, this option will be made available.
EN
Manual
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Manual
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Manual
ES
Manual
TUR
Manual