Ton Kooiman Etude 3 Thumb Rest For Oboe and Clarinet.
Ton Kooiman Etude 3 is a lightweight ergonomic thumb rest for clarinet and oboe, designed to improve hand position and reduce thumb/hand fatigue for more comfortable playing.
The Ton Kooiman Etude 3 Small is a low-cost, lightweight thumb rest for clarinet and oboe that can significantly improve hand position and reduce thumb and hand fatigue. Made from durable plastics, it’s designed to enhance comfort and freedom of playing, helping you feel more in control of the instrument with a firmer, more stable “grip”.
A key benefit of the Etude design is that it allows the thumb’s pressure point to be moved away from the tip area and onto the first phalanx, into the space between the two thumb joints. Because the lever momentum is much smaller at this point, the thumb can support the instrument’s weight more easily. This means less effort is wasted simply holding the instrument up, and more energy becomes available for handling the instrument, supporting improved control and helping playing technique feel faster and more relaxed. Many players also notice freer movement of the ring and little fingers due to improved balance and stability.
The Etude 3 includes updated features to improve comfort and adjustability, including a new metal hook covered with soft red rubber and a casing with improved ergonomics. The hook is also adjustable in height, allowing you to fine-tune the fit to your playing position. Additional hidden design improvements strengthen the overall construction, including upgraded materials and a redesigned dovetail slide and mounting slide.
The Etude encourages a new way of carrying your instrument: instead of the instrument “hanging in the tendons,” you support it in a more active way. The thumb sits higher—either straight or slightly bent—promoting a more natural, individual posture. For best results, it’s important that the tip of the thumb makes solid contact with the hollow-shaped cavity in the casing; most players adapt quickly and find it becomes their new normal. Activating the muscle on the inside of the thumb will bend it slightly, which helps maintain proper contact with the hook.
Installation is designed to be straightforward: choose the row of holes in the mounting slide that positions the Etude so that, while playing, your thumb sits opposite your index finger. No new holes need to be drilled—you can typically use the existing holes from the original thumb rest. The Etude fits onto the mounting slide from the top down, and the number of “clicks” indicates your height adjustment progress.
