Kooiman Etude 3 Ergonomic Thumb Rest

If the Maestro is a biomechanical exoskeleton for your right hand, the Etude is more like orthotic insoles: you install it, adjust the height, and it quietly makes everything feel better. Like the Maestro, It shifts the weight of the clarinet off the tip of your thumb and into the stronger area between your joints — where you can actually support the instrument without pain or effort.

It’s not as fancy as the Maestro — and the price reflects that. The Etude is a simpler, lighter, and less adjustable solution. No ball joints, no removable hook, no swap-between-horns plate system, and it's plastic. You get basic ergonomic upgrades (better thumb angle, less strain), but not full customization. 

The Etude is great if:

• You just want to stop minor hand strain
• Your hand is average-sized and doesn’t need custom angles
• You’re not ready to drill new holes (or don’t want to spend Maestro money yet)
• You want a “set it and forget it” ergonomic fix

The Maestro is the great if:

• You’ve already got pain, tendon issues, or play long hours
• Your hand is unusually small, large, or asymmetrical
• You want to fine-tune position in all 3 axes
• You play both Bb and A and want to swap the rest easily
• You want something bombproof and built like a tank

My view: The Maestro and Etude are not competing. They solve the same problem at different levels — and both do their job well. You just need to know what kind of upgrade you’re after.

FAQ:

Q: Do I have to take my current thumb rest off?
A: Yes. The Etude fully replaces it. It comes with its own mounting plate that gets screwed into your clarinet.

Q: How is it installed?
A: A mounting plate screws (and/or glues) onto your clarinet. The plate has 6 oblong holes to match a variety of screw positions. Most people use two screws (same holes as your old rest) plus tape for extra grip. Once the plate’s on, the Etude slides down from the top and clicks into place.

Q: Can I install it myself?
A: Maybe. If your clarinet’s screw holes line up, it’s pretty easy. If not, or if you’re nervous about drilling, hand it to a tech. You don’t want to crack the wood or put a new tone-hole (!) in it by going too deep. If you’re just testing fit or want to avoid drilling altogether, you can add double-sided nano tape behind the mounting plate to help stabilize it with just two screws. I personally recommend this nano tape — strong, removable, and doesn’t leave any residue on your clarinet. Actually this stuff is great around the house, too. 

Q: How do I adjust it?
A: The rest height is set by sliding the plastic casing down the plate — it “clicks” into each level so you can repeat it later. The hook height (where your thumb sits) is adjusted with a screw underneath.

Q: Does it work for small hands?
A: Yes — actually it's great for small hands.

Q: What about big hands?
A: You’ll probably be happier with the Maestro. The Etude is great for average-to-small hands, but larger thumbs may feel cramped. Mine do.

Q: How does it feel to play with?
A: Different — in a good way. It rests naturally at a downward angle, with better muscle support. It takes a few days (sometimes a couple weeks) to adapt, but once you do, it feels great.

Q: Can I attach a neck strap to it?
A: Nope. There is no place to hook a strap. I suppose you could rig something DIY, but it’s not officially supported.

Q: Can I slide it off to use on another clarinet?
A: Not really. The Etude does slide onto its mounting plate during setup — and you’ll hear clicks as you adjust the height — but it’s not meant to be removed and swapped regularly. Once it’s installed, it stays on. If you want a rest you can move between clarinets, the Maestro is designed for that.

Q: Can I use it on my bass clarinet / electric guitar / kazoo?
A: No. This one’s for Bb and A clarinet (and maybe Oboe) only.

Q: What if I hate it?
A: You probably won’t. But if you do, you can take it off and go back to your old rest. If you drilled a new hole, a tech can fill it in with cyanoacrylate and grenadilla dust. (Or leave it open in case you change your mind again.)