I was recently informed by my clarinet instructor that I need to get a neck strap for my clarinet. I can't find a place that sells clarinet neck straps, so could I just use an alto neck strap? My clarinet already has a little loop on it to attach a neck strap to.

I've never heard of people using clarinet neck straps. Is there a certain reason why you need one?

A clarinet neck starp...that's....intersting.For marching band I can understand,but for a regular concert band,that's odd.Why is your instructor informing you that you need a neckstarp for your clarinet?

I think it's a personal preference thing, but I can't see why it would be required. I used one when I broke my wrist and the cast didn't allow me to grip my clarinet, but I've never understood the use of everyday neck straps. But yeah, if you really want one a saxaphone strap will work. Peice of advice though (I also play sax), get one that clips on not just hooks-its safer.

Or you might need one cause you keep on dropping your clarinet...I'm not saying u r or nething,just one might be needed if you constantly are dropping ur clari...

neckstraps are used for clarinets sometimes to allow more freedom of finger movement (so you don't have to have your thumb anchored so much, i guess) or because of thumb/wrist stress or pain. If your clarinet has a hook for a strap already, I suppose you can use whatever works. since most clarinets don't have a ring for a neckstrap, clarinet neckstraps usually have a little (i think) leather bit on the end that attatches over the thumb rest. I believe clarinet straps are often elastic-y, as well, as opposed to the sturdy nylon webbing or cord, but i may be mistaken. I use a saxophone neck strap for my bass clarinet (actually i have to go get a new one tonight, it got lost) when i need to play standing, but different stuff may work better for sopranos.

as a side note, i know quite a few clarinetists who use neck straps.

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i forgot to say- they generally aren't used for marching band, due to the fact that the horns need to be held in positions that don't work with a strap (like at to-the-ready)

Want to know what I say?Well your going to hear it anyways.It's called wah.Get over it.Thats why they have a thumb rest.I've played clarinet,and I didn't need one.I had to stand 2.I just guessed on the marching band thing.I'm in marching,but I play percussion,so...ya.....Our perc doesn't really pay attention to other sections cause they don't care about anybody else.Except me cause I play most of those other instruments.....

"I've played clarinet,and I didn't need one.I had to stand 2."


Whether or not a neckstrap is needed for clarinet depends on the player. it's not one of those always-needed things like it is for a saxophone.
and standing with a clarinet isn't an issue. standing with a bass clarinet is.

to the original poster- try it out. if it works better for you, then stick with it, but if you find it inhibits your playing, talk to your instructor who told you to get one about it.

I find using a strap on soprano clarinet also helps on tone, as you don't have to worry about holding up thet clarinet. but then, I also have right hand issues so that is my primary reason.

I find alot of sax players who double on clarinet like the thumb hook option when I do repairs/regulation. but few clarinet only players use that option.

some buffets come with that hook option. Others are available as options. Leblanc/Noblet/Normandy sell to repair shops a thumb replacement option, such as:
http://www.saxmaniax.com/repaircl.htm near the bottom in Clarinet Accessories

I've played clarinet in 12 years, and last spring I bought myself a neck strap. My thomb suddenly started feeling a bit weird, and then I thought this would help. And wow.. it did... I don't see any other reason to buy one... But maybe your clarinet teacher has another reason for you to buy one (why not just ask her/him?).

Mine is a BG and with nylon on elastic. Here is a link:
http://www.bgfranckbichon.com/info/clarinet/clarinetp2.html

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I forgot.. You don't have to get a new thumb rest to use it. I have thise leather pads, that you can use on your own thumb rest :)

Okay, I have to ask a stupid question? Where the heck would you clip a neck strap on a Bb clarinet, if that is the instrument that is being talked about? I have an older clarinet, c.1977 (I'm the original owner, and it totally rocks!), and it doesn't have a place to clip a neck strap. My alto clarinet does, of course. And, bigger clarinets do, of course, but I'm clueless as to where to put one on my Bb. Is that something that clarinet manufacturers are including on new clarinets? I'm probably totally out of the loop! ;-D

some more modern clarinets have rings on them so they clip right on the clarinet.

I also use a rubber "O" ring ( 1 x 3/4 x 1/8 #15 O-ring which you can find in the plumbing section of places like ACE hardware) which i clip onto a Hyman neck strap then put the other part around the thumbrest. it works perfectly on nearly every variety of thumbrests.

they also make neckstraps specifically for clarinet with a little thing that looks like maybe leather with slits in it, which fits around the thumb rest. that's the kind of neck strap a few of my friends use.

Oh! Thanks for clearing that up for me!

there are some good solutions for clarinet neckstraps. .. but my Oring solution costs only 49 cents

there's also something called a Fhred
http://www.quodlibet.com/FhredGen.htm
an interesting solution - a cane for your clarinet.