We are excited to share with you our honest and thorough reviews of Ton Kooiman Thumb Rests. As a leading provider of thumb rests for musicians, we are dedicated to enhancing the playing experience of those who use their products. We have tested and examined their thumb rests to help you make an informed decision when purchasing a new one. We hope our reviews will assist you in finding the perfect thumb rest for your instrument, and improve your playing experience.
Ann
Dear Ton, the thumb rest has arrived safely. It is now fitted and once again made clarinet playing a pleasure. Very many thanks. Kind regards from a happy & satisfied customer.
Jay
I installed your Maestro’s plates on my oboe and English horn using the two existing thumb holes. I then used the adjustment screw to hold the EH rest lower. It feel pretty good, and I’ve already seen where I need to practice my scales as they flow much easier and I don’t have to compensate for the horn movement I used to have. Has stopped the hiccups on tonguing scales. I agree I will need to purchase another rest for the EH as I can’t change rests and put the reed on the EH in a timely manner I will call Forest’s and tell them to order one for their stock and get me another. Stephen Copland is the guilty party for showing your attachment at the Fresno State Double Reed Day. Thank you for your help!
Saskia van Andel
Dag Ton, zo maar even mijn bevindingen. (na de drukte van een nieuwjaarsconcert gisterenavond nu weer even de tijd voor andere dingen): De etude speelt voor mij nog een stuk fijner. Op de één of andere manier hield ik altijd last van een wat bewegende klarinet tijdens het spelen. Al bij de eerste paar maten merkte ik dat de klarinet met de nieuwe steun minder wegdraait als ik minder vingers op de kleppen heb. Wat mij betreft dus helemaal goed met die veranderingen. Zo jammer dat niet heel klarinetspelend Nederland dit weet…, Ik merk in mijn omgeving dat mensen denken dat je gehandicapt moet zijn voor je over gaat op het spelen met de etude steun. In plaats dat u het instrument passief in de banden/pezen van uw duim en hand laat hangen zult u het instrument nu actief gaan dragen. Waarbij de kracht verdeelt wordt over meer spieren en pezen en ook onder een andere hoek terwijl u ook nog een extra steunpunt heeft in de holle uitsparing van de kast (U draagt daar echter niet).
Sander Beumer
Wat is jouw duimsteun toch goed Ton!! Mijn Buffet heeft echt een hele nieuwe “feel ” ik kan nu ineens dingen die ik voorheen een tikje lastig vond veel beter. Pure ontspanning en een gevoel van meer controle. Die steun is ook redelijk breed en groot waardoor je hele rechterhand een stabieler gevoel heeft. Niets dan lof!
Thomas
Dear Ton, I’m a big fan of your thumbrests (1 Maestro and 2 Etudes for my clarinets, 2 Forza for my saxes). Before I discovered them I had many problems with my hand and arm, caused by tension and unergonimical original thumb rests. Kind regards and greetings from Germany,
Will
I received the package today. I had actually not yet seen your email, but I found it shortly after and I wanted to express my most heartfelt thanks to you! It is rare to find such generosity, and when combined with the unmatched quality of your products, it’s easy to see why you have achieved such a degree of success. My sincerest thanks once more, and I will certainly continue to recommend your thumbrests.
Mike Hall
I first approached Ton Kooiman to ask if his clever clarinet thumb rests would work with the soprano saxophone. Like most soprano players I know, I have acute problems with pain in my right thumb and wrist; transferring the weight down to the joint of thumb and first finger might have been a good solution. Ton explained why this wasn’t practical but that I should try his Forza Thumb rest.
I managed to fit the Forza to my Selmer MK VI tenor easily. The first thing I noticed was that it allows the thumb to lie in a natural position; at the same level as the first finger, as it would if you were holding a paper cup full of hot coffee! The thumb rest of most saxophones forces the thumb downwards. Indeed, my perceptions of most saxophone design is ‘the tone holes must go here, here and here so we will just have to stick the thumb rest wherever there is space left for it!’ I bought a second Forza for my Yanagisawa curved soprano and found that I could position my thumb over the top of the F# trill key tone hole; just where it should be. Because of the positioning and shape of the Forza, the thumb is concentrating on pushing forward rather than upwards which is exactly what it should do! The ‘lift’ is provided by the sling! There is no need for the ‘hook’ as on conventional plastic thumb rests. The Forza offers an increased element of flexibility to my overall playing posture. It is not cheap but it is beautifully made and set against the cost of a professional saxophone worth every penny. Indeed, it should be standard on all new saxophones! I have been using the Forza for over two years now and haven’t given it a second thought! Just what is required from such an important ‘man-machine’ interface! However, I’d still like to find a soprano saxophone which weights the same as a clarinet!
Mike Hall is Professional saxophonist based in Manchester, UK. He is Head of Jazz Studies and Tutor in Jazz Saxophone at the Royal Northern College of Music. mikehall.co.uk
