#267. Neck Straps

I firmly believe that all beginning clarinetists should use a neck strap. There, I said it! And I firmly believe it. Now I know that at this very moment, many clarinetists who are reading this are rolling their eyes, saying “We are not saxophonists. We do not use a neck strap.” And tradition is certainly on their side. Now, I am not talking about seasoned players (though I think the benefits are still pretty profound at any level) but for beginners, I think it should be a requirement. Think about a small child without a neck strap trying to hold the weight of a clarinet – for the most part – on one thumb! For those beginners, often that weight on the thumb acts to stiffen or tighten the movement of the fingers in that hand, making those motions on the keys more difficult and tense. With a neck strap, however, virtually all the weight of the instrument is being held up by the neck strap, leaving the fingers in that hand loose, unencumbered, and able to move more freely. Even intermediate students who find their finger dexterity limited in that hand will benefit from using a neck strap. Please try it. The progress of your young clarinetists will be markedly improved.

Peter Loel Boonshaft, Director of Education
KHS America