The Complete Handbook of Clarinet Straps & Supports
A Practical Reference for Players, Technicians, and Retailers
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
The definitive practical reference on clarinet straps and supports, from materials and mechanics to repair and retail.
About this book
For decades, the clarinet strap was an afterthought - a piece of cord or leather bought at the last minute when the old one broke. But the modern clarinet, especially the full Boehm system horn with a heavy thumb rest, transfers significant weight to the right thumb and wrist. A properly designed strap or support can prevent pain, improve hand position, and reduce performance fatigue over years of playing.
This handbook is the first comprehensive reference to treat clarinet supports as what they are: mechanical devices with specific load ratings, material properties, and failure modes. It covers every type from simple neck cords to harnesses and thumb-rest supports, with clear specifications on webbing materials, hardware strength, and adjustment mechanisms. You will find practical procedures for fitting supports to different body types, routine maintenance routines, and step-by-step troubleshooting for common failures like slipped stitching and degraded elastomers.
For the professional player, instructor, repair technician, or retailer, this book provides the knowledge base that was previously scattered across decades of forum posts and manufacturer brochures. It concludes with a detailed look at the supply chain, business opportunities in retail and servicing, and the emerging trends in materials and ergonomics that will shape the next generation of equipment.
Reader Reviews
Thomas Allen
★★★★★Finally a reference that doesn't feel like a sales pitch. I've been repairing woodwinds for 18 years and the chapter on maintenance alone is worth the price - the exact specifications on hook wear limits and when to replace hardware are things I've never seen written down. I deducted a star only because a few sections feel a bit dry, but it's a reference book, not a novel, so that's probably a feature. Recommended for any repair bench.
Charles Scott
★★★★★I bought this because I was tired of my neck hurting during long rehearsals and the book explained exactly why my current strap was wrong for the way my horn is balanced. The sections on fitting are genuinely useful, and I finally understand the difference between a magnet mount and a rod-mounted thumb support. Only real gripe is I wish the brand chapter had more specific price points, but the general tiering helped me know what to expect when I walked into a shop.
Thomas Rivera
★★★★★As a private teacher, I'm always trying to guide my students toward equipment that won't cause problems later. This handbook gave me the language to explain why a cheap cord strap is a bad investment, and the chapter on choosing the right support helped me put together recommendations for younger players. The author clearly knows the difference between a $20 strap and a $120 one, and argues for value rather than just price. Minor complaint: some chapters read like a textbook, but the content is solid.
George Anderson
★★★★★Pretty comprehensive, but I have some reservations. The specs on materials are interesting, but there's not much real-world testing data - a lot of it feels like the author researched manufacturer claims rather than independently testing things like stitch strength or elastomer lifespan. The chapter on business opportunities is a good summary but doesn't go deep enough for someone serious about retail. That said, as a buyer's guide for a working player, it filled in a lot of gaps for me. Three stars, but I'd still recommend it.
Betty Hill
★★★★★I expected more practical diagrams and less theory. The biomechanics section is fine but I bought this to help maintain my student rental fleet, and I had to dig through a lot of prose to find the specific info I needed about screw sizing and replacement leather washers. What's there is accurate, though, and I did find the troubleshooting table useful. It could just be better organized for someone who needs to look up a problem quickly rather than read cover to cover. Worth having on the shelf, but not perfect.
Elizabeth Martin
★★★★★This is the book I wish existed ten years ago when I first started playing professionally. The chapter on how supports work explained why I was getting wrist fatigue on my full Boehm horn, and the recommended fitting procedure genuinely changed my posture. I appreciate that it doesn't try to sell you on one type of support - it honestly lays out the trade-offs and lets you decide. It's a reference book, so it's not beach reading, but it's precise and every claim feels verified. Minor quibble: the glossary is a little short, but it covers the essentials.