Lyrics & Knowledge Personal Pages Record Shop Auction Links Radio & Media Kids Membership Help
The Mudcat Cafesj



User Name Thread Name Subject Posted
GUEST,Guran Tech: Thumb straps on english concertina (5) Tech: Thumb straps on english concertina 14 Apr 08


Thumb straps according the the traditional concept usually come in two variants:
1)comfortable but offering very poor stability and control
2)uncomfortable but offering a trifle better stability and control

In a way the problem is unsolvable since this traditional handle concept - thumbstrap combined with finger rest - is a contradiction in itself.

The thumbstrap idea (compared to the handstrap idea of Anglos and Duets) offers excellent access to the whole keyboard and this of course favours playing a plenty of notes. The tonal control of these notes however is suffering due to reduced control of bellows work - i.e. the capacity to articulate and playing with dynamics and expression is poorer due to the floppy handle.

IF(!?) using a thumbstrap as the major "handle" at all I mean that it is possible improving the situation at least a little bit by:

a) making the thumbstrap broader and steadier than usual
b) making it more comfortable and thus admitting a tighter fitting

add a) I use 25-30mm wide straps (compared to traditional 18-20mm) which means that the distal thumb joint is immobilized and I use a steady cardboard 'sceleton' making the strap fairly stiff

add b) by polstering the inner side richly (thickness 5-6mm) it fits tight but still comfortably and the instrument may hang passively on the thumb without any assistance by the 4th finger

Something to discuss with producers of "traditional thumbstraps" ?

Göran Rahm


Post to this Thread -

Back to the Main Forum Page

By clicking on the User Name, you will requery the forum for that user. You will see everything that he or she has posted with that Mudcat name.

By clicking on the Thread Name, you will be sent to the Forum on that thread as if you selected it from the main Mudcat Forum page.

By clicking on the Subject, you will also go to the thread as if you selected it from the original Forum page, but also go directly to that particular message.

By clicking on the Date (Posted), you will dig out every message posted that day.

Try it all, you will see.