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Your cart is empty.The Etude3 is a light weight thumb rest for clarinet and Oboe made out of durable plastics. The Etude enhances the freedom of playing. Faster and easier movement of the ring- and little finger and it prevents fatigue of the thumb and hand. It gives your a sense control and of a firm "grip" on your instrument. The Etude makes it possible to move the pressure point of the thumb rest to the first phalanx of the thumb to the space between the two joints. The lever momentum is much smaller at this point so the thumb can support the weight more easily. Much of the energy used for supporting the weight then becomes available for handling the instrument. And can be used to improve control and speed up paying technique. New features: 1) The Etude3 has a new metal hook covered with soft rubber and a casing with improved ergonomics. 2) The hook is adjustable in height as well. There are several hidden featur
David H. Kinder, RFC, ChFC, CLU
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2025
I'm still getting back into playing after a long time away from it… and I just wanted greater dexterity in my fingering. I already had a neck strap and a decent Protec gel thumb rest cushion, but I still don't think I had the best hand position. I had also previously used a Thumb Saddle thumb rest, but it did not help my hand position. In fact, it really caused a lot of problems with my fingering of those lower keys.I don't believe there is some extra honor code for making playing any instrument harder than it needs to be. It's about the music, not how you contort yourself to make the music. (Such as writing on your sheet music - it's a great practice and every musician does it - or they should.) In fact, I believe in preventative measures wherever possible. A few months ago I felt that I was getting some nerve damage in my arms, so I now sleep with wrist braces as a preventative measure. Now I can't sleep without them, just to know that I'm taking care of myself.I had seen some videos of others talking about the Ton Kooiman Etude 3 thumb rest. I actually remember the first model from 25 years ago! I ordered this Etude 3 and I'm quite pleased with it.First, it does not feel 'cheap'. Yes, it is made from hard plastics and a metal thumb hook, but it's sturdy. If you really need a full metal one, get the Maestro version for a couple hundred dollars.I installed it myself and I had to drill a new 2nd hole to make it work. I was very careful and used a 1.5mm drill bit. (Instructions said a 1.7mm drill bit. Better to go smaller.) I was slow and careful. When I saw a bit of material come out from the drill bit, I stopped and checked it with the included screws. I did this about 3-4 times. If you have any doubts about how careful you may be with it, have your local tech do it. Better to be safe than sorry.The website mentioned using double-sided tape to help secure the back plate. I didn't have that, but I had some double-sided adhesive stick dots that I put above and below the holes for the screws. That has greatly helped to secure the back mounting plate.It will help you with better hand posture and your right hand's ring and pinky fingers and keys. Don't try to balance the instrument with your right hand alone or it may tip forward. It works best while playing it and you're anchoring the clarinet in your embouchure.Get it and enjoy it!
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