Saxophone beginners practicing

[Lesley]

Would any newbie like to tell me if they experience or have experienced tired to sort of pain in the thumb muscle pads after half an hour to an hours practice? Am I over practicing? Get a bit annoyed as I don't want to stop the practice but have to.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Let the sling take the weight. Let the saxophone hang on the sling no hands. Adjust the neck and mouthpiece and play it there.

 

[Lesley]

Mmmm. I do that Colin but thanks. May cut practice down for a few days. Actually think it may be because practice clarinet as well so over use. I can't use a neck strap on clarinet as I have a Ton Kooiman thumb test which doesn't accommodate a neck strap. Just have to 'soldier on'

 

[jbtsax]

That Ton Kooiman thumb rest looks interesting (I had to look it up). I just installed a Cannonball adjustable clarinet thumb rest with a neck strap ring on my Buffet R13 and I am enjoying playing clarinet again. If you stop occasionally and flex your fingers and thumbs it may help as well as keeping both hands relaxed as possible when you play.

 

[Lesley]

The kooiman had made a big difference to my playing as I had thumb tendonitis . After googling the issue found the kooiman. Tendonitis eased within a few days but as the kooiman doesn't have a ring or anything to attach a strap I slip a piece of string beneath it and that is fairly passable. I'll probably end up pulling the tiny screws out! Thanks for your advice.

 

[kevgermany]

You might also be pressing too hard on the keys. You shouldn't need a gorilla grip, just a light touch - and if the keys don't seal on a light touch, get the sax serviced.