Playing the saxophone Arthritis Pain When Playing

[Vlad]

No pegs on bassoon. I used a seat strap, but some will use a neck strap. A peg would not work because the instrument is played at an angle (vs vertical).

Perhaps you are thinking of either bass clarinet, cello, or string bass. I’ve seen a floor peg on contrabass flutes as well.

Regarding the pain: It really depends on what kind of arthritis you have. I have osteoarthritis in my left thumb. There’s really no relief for it. One of my doctors told me that the pain would eventually fade away. Maybe it hurts less now than it did 15 years ago, but my thumb has become incredibly weak in the meantime. I just play until I cannot. G’luck!

John Packer 100% do a student bassoon that comes with a factory fitted peg, I dabbled with bassoon for a bit many years ago and I'm sure I've seen them and heard them referred to on odd occasions

 

[Vlad]

Thanks Dr G, the right thumb is the worst of the two - doesn't help with the angle needed to get on the right-hand keys. Met someone who has had a successful op, must get proper medical opinion.

I found the rt. thumb hook on a bari (obv depends on make/model etc) was too high in relation to the keys and threw the whole thumb/hand into an uncomfortable position, the solution was to stick a lump of dense rubber type stuff under the hook, suitably shaped to effectively shift it, or rather the thumb, down. obviously if that was an answer and the instrument's a keeper you could get the hook re-soldered in a better position after a bit of experiment.

 

[Colin the Bear]

A friend of mine gets relief from arthritic pain using a tens machine. Acupuncture may also help.

 

[thomsax]

Ther are not so many exercises you can do for the fingers and hands. Better motion and also building up the small muscles helped me. I recommend to see a physiotherapist.

The adjustable ("up and down") rh thumbrest on Martin saxes are good.

 

[MMM]

A few months back, I started getting very painful hands when playing: removed the thumb hook and replaced it with a 3D printed flat support (like the Rulon), the relief was almost instant.

The beauty of it is that the thumb can move and is not forced in one position by the hook, also you don't get the temptation to hold up the sax with your thumb (which I fell into doing).
As a test (if it's a modern horn with removable thumb hook) just remove it and see if it makes a difference.
During a jazz workshop about 30 years ago, I remember Don Rendell recommending not using the thumb hook at all for this very reason... if only I had listened! He would play with his thumb over the side F# keycup.

 

[Dr G]

John Packer 100% do a student bassoon that comes with a factory fitted peg, I dabbled with bassoon for a bit many years ago and I'm sure I've seen them and heard them referred to on odd occasions

If you see such a thing in use by an adult, I’d be surprised. It would totally throw off the balance point of the instrument in normal playing position. If played in a vertical position, the angle of the bocal would be wrong. I played bassoon from age 14 through college, and later had friends that were professional bassoon players in symphonies and classical ensembles - nary a peg in sight.

I took a look at the John Packer website to see if they offer a peg on their bassoons. Nothing in sight for a peg, but they do note accommodations for a seat strap.

John Packer JP291 Bassoon

JP291 Bassoon ABS Silver Plated Keys

jpmusicalinstruments.com

• The JP291 features:
  Silver plated full size mechanism is modern, robust and offers durability
• Made from high grade ABS, the instrument is lightweight and mimics the tonal qualities of wood ensuring a warm, even tone
• Features a high D, Eb and E key for and large note range that can open up more repertoire opportunities
• Inclusion of 2 ring holes in the butt cap is ideal for use with a seat strap
• Hand rest and hand strap to increase playing comfort
• Right hand crook lock is also included

 

[Dr G]

The beauty of it is that the thumb can move and is not forced in one position by the hook, also you don't get the temptation to hold up the sax with your thumb (which I fell into doing).

So true for all players - don't try to suspend the mass of the horn with your thumb. Sure, a straight soprano with no neck strap demands that you support the horn with the thumb. All the rest have neck strap rings. Use them - your thumb will thank you (or should) and it frees a lot of tension from your hands.

 

[Vlad]

If you see such a thing in use by an adult, I’d be surprised. It would totally throw off the balance point of the instrument in normal playing position. If played in a vertical position, the angle of the bocal would be wrong. I played bassoon from age 14 through college, and later had friends that were professional bassoon players in symphonies and classical ensembles - nary a peg in sight.

I took a look at the John Packer website to see if they offer a peg on their bassoons. Nothing in sight for a peg, but they do note accommodations for a seat strap.

John Packer JP291 Bassoon

JP291 Bassoon ABS Silver Plated Keys

jpmusicalinstruments.com

• The JP291 features:
  Silver plated full size mechanism is modern, robust and offers durability
• Made from high grade ABS, the instrument is lightweight and mimics the tonal qualities of wood ensuring a warm, even tone
• Features a high D, Eb and E key for and large note range that can open up more repertoire opportunities
• Inclusion of 2 ring holes in the butt cap is ideal for use with a seat strap
• Hand rest and hand strap to increase playing comfort
• Right hand crook lock is also included

Try their JP191 bassoon 🙂

 

[Dr G]

Ah, got it! Thank you.

I see in their description that it is much as I guessed. It’s designed for students of small stature.

The JP191 Short Reach C Bassoon is an excellent choice for students beginning their journey into learning the bassoon. Designed with a shorter reach, it is well-suited for players who may find a full-size model challenging at the early stages of their musical education.

This bassoon is crafted to provide students with a reliable and capable instrument, allowing them to progress through the lower grades before transitioning to a full-size model. The JP191 Short Reach C Bassoon is tailored to meet the needs of aspiring bassoonists, offering a solid foundation for learning and development in the early stages of musical education.

Cheers,
George

P.S. and OBTW: What the heck is “Gentlemen’s Short Reach” supposed to mean?

 

[Vlad]

Gent's short reach... sounds very 'the fast show' 'suits you sir!'
in fact it's the design of having the long joint made shorter and the bell a bit longer, so the whole thing fits into a more compact case essentially.

 

[Vlad]

I was looking for something else and found that Thomann's 'cheapo' baritone comes with a spike fitting too..

 

[Dr G]

Gent's short reach... sounds very 'the fast show' 'suits you sir!'
in fact it's the design of having the long joint made shorter and the bell a bit longer, so the whole thing fits into a more compact case essentially.

An “aspiring student” certainly wouldn’t benefit from just a more compact carry case. It looks like the whole mechanism is compact (closer spacing of tone holes). Smaller bore?

 

[Vlad]

An “aspiring student” certainly wouldn’t benefit from just a more compact carry case. It looks like the whole mechanism is compact (closer spacing of tone holes). Smaller bore?

I believe the so called gents cut thing is offered by various makers simply to provide an instrument that fits in a more compact case, i can see how a smaller case might be handy nowadays for taking it on an aircraft for instance, if it fits in above seat cabin luggage or whatever.
The 'short reach' instrument has keywork to cater for smaller hand spans, typically a covered key for left hand 3rd (ring) finger and the b flat trill key is done away with to get the right hand 3rd finger key a bit closer spaced in a similar vein.
the JP bassoon itself is not a small bore or 'mini bassoon' as far as I know, Fox in the US make short reach bassoons for smaller handed players too, they'd be somewhat better made ( and expensive) instruments than the JP made in China jobs !

 

[LostCircuits]

Just hot off the press:

https://www.uchealth.org/today/thumb-arthritis-patient-recovers-quickly-after-new-thumb-surgery/?utm_source=MC&utm_channel=Email&utm_UCHealthToday=UCHealthToday_Patients_ThumbSurgery_06-May-2026_Null_Null&utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=UCHealthToday_External_Newsletter_06-May-2026_Null_Null&utm_term=1+headline+-+thumb+surgery+patient&utm_id=1958490&sfmc_id=55908054

It's more about holding babies but looks like it is very relevant to playing sax as well.

 

[Ballymenaboy]

Just hot off the press:

https://www.uchealth.org/today/thumb-arthritis-patient-recovers-quickly-after-new-thumb-surgery/?utm_source=MC&utm_channel=Email&utm_UCHealthToday=UCHealthToday_Patients_ThumbSurgery_06-May-2026_Null_Null&utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=UCHealthToday_External_Newsletter_06-May-2026_Null_Null&utm_term=1+headline+-+thumb+surgery+patient&utm_id=1958490&sfmc_id=55908054

It's more about holding babies but looks like it is very relevant to playing sax as well.

interesting article for me as I currently suffer from arthritic pain in right hand however that surgery will probably be very expensive and unavailable in UK…tried various gels without any great success and am waiting for injections appointment that should help.Probably now sell my straight soprano and stick to alto and tenor.Growing old is like being continually punished for a crime you didn’t commit I think.

 

[Jeanette]

Sorry to read that, you could get a curvy sop 🙂

Jx

 

[mark_addy]

Latest posts brought this thread to my attention. OP was / is a baritone player. I don't know if this will be a helpful comment but I played my baritone in big band between my legs sat on a small stout wooden box about 6" high which I used to keep sax odds and ends in. I used a sling too so as to keep it under control for top C# upwards, but very little weight on it. It worked well. Eventually I adapted a stand into a spike I can velcro onto the bell (too tight to buy one) and I play it the same, between my legs. It works well - with my new sax holder (thanks @Vetinari ) I might even stand up for solos.

 

[Ivan]

interesting article for me as I currently suffer from arthritic pain in right hand however that surgery will probably be very expensive and unavailable in UK…tried various gels without any great success and am waiting for injections appointment that should help.Probably now sell my straight soprano and stick to alto and tenor.Growing old is like being continually punished for a crime you didn’t commit I think.

Is there no way you can adapt your playing stance?

*Edit*


Oh... I thought I read, "Stick alto and tenor'...
Meaning, in my mind, those rare, unfolded saxophones that drop to the floor and look as undemandimg on your hand joints as a walking stick

Meanwhile... Ditch the straight sop.. it's only a musical spurtle

 

[Colin the Bear]

Googling spurtle 🤔

 

[Ivan]

Googling spurtle 🤔

And...