Playing the saxophone Callus - Thickening of skin on right thumb

[Honkin Ron Howe]

I play out in front and I can't ever recall having a thumb callus in 50 years of playing sax but, I tend to take the weight of the sax on the neck strap. And, half my saxes have plastic right thumb rests and the others have metal rests. I also actually adjust my thumb rests.

 

[Nick Wyver]

No calluses here. Calluses form due to pressure and/or friction.

Play without using either thumb to see how little input they need to have. ie none.

I find it rather tricky to play a straight sop without using my right thumb.

 

[turf3]

It's my belief that probably 99% of "issues" with the right thumb stem from people trying to lift the horn with it instead of just pulling up on the neck strap. (Straight soprano excepted, of course.)

 

[Colin the Bear]

I find it rather tricky to play a straight sop without using my right thumb.

Same on clarinet and recorder. 😉

 

[Pete Thomas]

Why do you think it's a "problem"?

I understand why people might think of it as a problem. I have had calluses and felt that I’d prefer not to have them. I get it that maybe from a medical point of view there may not be significant issues but I’d just prefer if they weren’t there. But not a real “problem”

 

[Dr G]

I have a 1920s Conn soprano in gold plate with that thumb ring. It was an absolute torture device for me - I never found a comfortable position to hold the instrument. That was a real shame as the sound of the instrument was lovely. Did you ever discover a position or a way of padding the ring that worked for you ?

Rhys

I applied a moleskin patch to the interior of the ring. My bone callus was never painful.

No calluses here. Calluses form due to pressure and/or friction.

Play without using either thumb to see how little input they need to have. ie none.

Every time I tried to play the Conn sop without my thumbs, it fell to the ground. Forgive my engineering inclinations, but there is indeed a force on the thumb to counter the forces of gravity acting on the horn. I am not smart enough to figure out how to get ‘round that.

 

[Colin the Bear]

I applied a moleskin patch to the interior of the ring. My bone callus was never painful.



Every time I tried to play the Conn sop without my thumbs, it fell to the ground. Forgive my engineering inclinations, but there is indeed a force on the thumb to counter the forces of gravity acting on the horn. I am not smart enough to figure out how to get ‘round that.

A trip to the international space station might sort you out. 🤗
I often play straight sop, sat down, no thumbs, bell resting in my knee.

 

[turf3]

I understand why people might think of it as a problem. I have had calluses and felt that I’d prefer not to have them. I get it that maybe from a medical point of view there may not be significant issues but I’d just prefer if they weren’t there.

Well, I've done enough manual work through my life that calluses are not only harmless, they're desirable. Swing a pick for a few hours and you'll see what I mean.

Not to mention playing double bass...

 

[Dr G]

A trip to the international space station might sort you out. 🤗
I often play straight sop, sat down, no thumbs, bell resting in my knee.

Ah, I see. I am not of sufficiently diminutive stature to be able to do that.

I cannot imagine being able to get the correct angle between horn and face without other compromises as well.

Kudos if you have found something that works for you. Bonus points if it doesn’t sound annoying.

 

[Woodpad]

I find it rather tricky to play a straight sop without using my right thumb.

Have you tried helium balloons?

 

[CliveMA]

I often play straight sop, sat down, no thumbs, bell resting in my knee.

+1

 

[CliveMA]

Same on clarinet and recorder. 😉

I've never had an issue with the right thumb while playing clarinet or recorder.

Only an issue with the straight sop.

 

[thomsax]

Why do you think it's a "problem"? Calluses are the body's natural reaction to friction and/or pressure.

Put something on the thumb (a filtring ....) to reduse the friction. Keep the thumb/skin soft. I'm more concerned about my thumb phalanges. The adjustable Martin thumbrests are helping me.

 

[Targa]

Ah, I see. I am not of sufficiently diminutive stature to be able to do that.

I think CtB is more Baloo than Paddington.

 

[Dr G]

I think CtB is more Baloo than Paddington.

Maybe so but I am not going to be the one to tell him.

 

[turf3]

I'd rather have calluses on my hands than soft little child's hands.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I'd rather have calluses on my hands than soft little child's hands.

There must be some middle ground though. Why one or the other?

 

[Colin the Bear]

Maybe so but I am not going to be the one to tell him.

That's fine. Just don't follow me into the woods.🐻

 

[Targa]

That's fine. Just don't follow me into the woods.🐻

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZANKFxrcKU&list=RDdZANKFxrcKU&start_radio=1

 

[LostCircuits]

Look at some of the upright bass players! Paul Hogan comes to mind: Call that a callus? That's a callus!

I personally have hyperkeratosis, so calluses grow everywhere - until they fall off.