Euphonium Hand Strap: "Comfy Euph Strap"

[vwells]

Thanks. I'm not operating at a loss. I've developed a manufacturing system that is fast & very efficient. How I make these so quickly is my well guarded trade secret! ha ha ha!

[IaMichael]

Here's a question concerning if this strap may help with a problem I've started to notice with the set of mouthpiece to lip.

I'm a 'larger' person with a bit of a 'spare tire' around the middle. Recently (last November) switched from a Yamaha 321 to a Wessex Dolce. When I first got the Yamaha (and didn't yet have the spare tire), I used a Stewart stand. When I could no longer use my Stewart stand on the Yamaha, I just cradled the horn in crook of my left arm. Mouthpiece position/pressure was good on upper/lower lips; no problems.

When I got the Wessex, I just went with the same cradling. However, while playing longer sections during rehearsals, I've noticed that I'd started resting the bottom of the horn on my 'spare tire shelf', resulting in the horn angle changing and putting more mouthpiece pressure on my bottom lip. Frustrating because I start out consciously positioning the mouthpiece correctly, but while concentrating on the music, my left arm lets the horn rest back on 'the shelf'.

Would this strap help me towards keeping my horn 'off the shelf'?

Thanks!

[MikeS]

I just got my second strap. I ordered another one after discovering that it really worked well on my three-valve British baritone. It takes some strain out of the left hand and makes it more comfortable to hold the instrument for long periods. I also want to mention that Valerie is a true joy to work with and her customer service is second to none.

[jkircoff]

Would this strap help me towards keeping my horn 'off the shelf'?

I'd say yes. A fully compensating euphonium is a challenge to hold properly throughout an entire rehearsal or concert no matter what shape you're in. The strap will help, but it won't cure positioning issues through long playing durations.

[miketeachesclass]

I received mine last week, and it's a delight in comparison with the chinese made version I had. Most excellent!

[EuphGuy]

I received my hand strap back around the end of March and have been using it since then....thought I would do a little review since I’ve been using it consistently since then.

I love this thing! I tend to be a “belly hugger” when I play and had considered getting/making a lap pad for a while before deciding to try the strap first.

I play on a hirsbrunner and the strap fits just great. There seems to be a lot of adjustability. It’s longer than it needs to be for my horn, but with it adjusted properly there’s not too much extra strap hanging off or anything of that sort (so no modification needed at all).

I’ve found that when using the strap, I tend to hold the weight of the horn more evenly without pulling it in against myself. This was my goal. My left hand also tends to not get tired as quickly.....the strap puts the weight of the horn kind of on the knuckle of my index finger where it meets my hand, so my thumb stays relaxed and my index finger is free to work 4th valve. My right hand also seems to have less tension because I’m not trying to hold the weight of the horn much if at all with that hand.

In short, the strap seems to relieve a lot of tension for me......highly recommend!

[ChristianeSparkle]

Wow this sounds extremely useful! Wonder if I can find any China straps around my place. Hmm

[ChristianeSparkle]

I am curious about the differences between this and the QHR velcro euphonium strap.

Can anyone give me a run down on the differences between them?

Thank you!

[davewerden]

I am curious about the differences between this and the QHR velcro euphonium strap.

Can anyone give me a run down on the differences between them?

Thank you!

Long overdue answer, here! The 2 straps used to be identical because Valerie Wells made the QHR strap for Bill Ricker. Two things have changed since then.

The QHR strap is now made by a different source. The material is "harder" and not quite as comfortable, but otherwise the quality seems fine.

Valerie has made some improvements in hers. She still uses the same cotton duck fabric but now offers an inner layer that is very soft and makes the strap even more comfortable. In addition, because she makes each by hand, she can make them in a variety of colors and can offer edge stitching in contrasting colors if you want.

[mbrooke]

Just got a new strap. Feels much softer than my old QHR strap. Valerie also has some really great patterns!

Mike

[franz]

I recived the strap last week and I tried it on Sunday during a gathering of bands where we had to travel a stretch of road marching: the strap proved to be very useful for supporting my Prestige.

[davewerden]

I did a short video (after I edited out a lot of long-winded stuff!) on the hand strap:

[franz]

After a mont of using euph hand straps I must say tha I'm pleasantly surprised by its usefulness even when sitting. Place the left hand at an angle that keeps the forearm and hand muscles relaxed, while leaving the forefinger and thumb free to act on the 4th button and trigger.

[aroberts781]

I got one of these straps a couple of years ago and never felt like I was able to get it adjusted properly. I'm not sure if it has to do with where the brace is on the Schiller that I play, but I could never get the loop that my hand goes in "short" enough such that I could relax my left hand and still have the horn in a good playing position for my left hand. When I relax my left hand and try to let the strap support the horn more than my fingers, the 4th valve lines up more with my left middle finger instead of my left index finger. Had anyone else had a similar problem and found a solution?

[davewerden]

I got one of these straps a couple of years ago and never felt like I was able to get it adjusted properly. I'm not sure if it has to do with where the brace is on the Schiller that I play, but I could never get the loop that my hand goes in "short" enough such that I could relax my left hand and still have the horn in a good playing position for my left hand. When I relax my left hand and try to let the strap support the horn more than my fingers, the 4th valve lines up more with my left middle finger instead of my left index finger. Had anyone else had a similar problem and found a solution?

Do any Schiller owners here have the strap?

Which strap do you have? Is it from Valerie or the QHR strap? (A couple years back QHR straps had a more course "weave" to the fabric.)