Improve ergonomics for musicians by WoodWindDesign

As a young clarinet student at 21, I developed tendonitis in the right arm. I had just started learning to cut my own reeds, and eager to make progress, did so very fanatically, with a not too sharp knife. The result: Tendonitis, I could not hold the weight of my clarinet anymore with my right arm. (I know now how to sharpen my reed knives.)

That’s when I made my very first DeGrav! (Deny Gravity): I removed the music desk of an ordinary K&M folding stand and mounted a hook onto it. The bell of the clarinet was hung in the hook, and I could play with literally zero weight on my thumb. Not ideal, because of the fixed posture, but I used it for 5 months, enough to get the much needed rest for my arm.

Decades later, after my wife -a professional oboist- developed a tremor in her right arm and shoulder, I made a completely different system of DeGrav!, that allows the player to freely move around, but still without carrying the instrument.

DeGrav! Series

The current DeGrav! series compasses solutions for the straight instruments oboes, clarinets, flutes and soprano saxophone. Plus a special design for saxophones, and one for bassoons. Basically the simple but popular bass clarinet standing peg is also a DeGrav!

Of course, the first aim is to help musicians that already are suffering from any form of pain or difficulty during playing, be it caused by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Arthritis or just small hands. But it might also be of benefit to all players that experience fatigue during long rehearsals, and could potentially prevent instrument related injuries.

Better seating on the chairs

Another threat to the musician’s body is posed by the chairs that we are supposed to sit on during rehearsals and concerts. Basically designed for short people and for easy stacking. Period. Often not only too low, but also leaning back. Flatout disastrous, resulting in bad posture, extra fatigue, pain in the back and shoulders, extra stress. But musicans do not complain, they just cope.
Riduculous, they should resist. Any white collar working behind a computer has a chair that is adaptable in all directions. So why are we not doing something about it?

But now WoodWindDesign does something about it.

Currently WoodWindDesign offers three solutions for this severe chair problem:

Dutch ButtLift, for travelling musicians.

Four variable chair leg extenders, that can be mounted on chair legs to make the chair higher, and (when you extend the hind legs more) can tilt the seat in horizontal position or even in a positive angle that lots of players prefer. A compact, lightweight and versatile solution. Current design is good for all round legs up to 26 mm in diameter and square 18x18 mm legs, but on request we can offer other dimensions. You will be amazed how this simple solution can make your life easier.

Dutch ButtLift for venues, concert halls and theatres and orchestras.

Custom made, dedicated to the specific shape and dimensions of the legs of the chairs. Easy to mount, easy to adapt, as small and nearly invisible as you need. Now you can offer your musicians or visiting orchestras a dedicated chair height and seat angle, without writing off your complete chair inventory. The stackability of the chairs is not compromised.
This solution is currently being developed in collaboration with a major Dutch concert hall and orchestra.

Musicians’ Throne.

An extremely portable and compact, 1.2 kilo innovative interpretation of the well-known, 5 kilo Drum Throne. Height and angle adjustable, firm but flexible foam seat, saddle as well as half round shape, fits any back pack. For musicians that are tired of surrendering to the f*cking stupid chairs that they encounter.
And for drummers, who have to carry so much more to a gig than just a violin of a flute. And for hikers. And for working behind the computer.

Other innovative WoodWindDesign Products for Flute players

• ReeGenerator single reed cases, that really, and indeed also quite literally, lift up your reed;
  DeGrav playing support, takes 100 % of the instrument weight off your thumb and shoulders, also available for alto and bass flute, clarinets, oboes, saxophones and bassoon;      
• Standing playing peg for bass clarinet: long, rigid, light;
• The New Standard, stands for music, tablet, microphone and accessories;
• Extremely light, compact and sturdy instrument stands for wood and brass winds. All stands travel inside the instrument case, often even in the instrument.

So why choose one or more WoodWindDesign instrument stands?

• virtually no added weight
• zero extra luggage
• no extra checking in at the airport
• always your stand at hand
• safe, stable & reliable
• designed by a musician for musicians
• made with strong, light and high quality carbon tubes
• beautiful minimalistic design
• made in the Netherlands