Story of Desakre

How it all began... 

As a bass clarinet player, I prefer to play while standing as it gives me more freedom and my instrument feels more stable . But my practice sessions were very short, and I initially didn't realise this was due to discomfort which I experienced from the traditional neck strap. I loved everything about my instrument, but I started to focus more on guitar, bass and piano, all in seated position for not having the discomfort of a weighty instrument literally hanging around my neck.

 

This ended up in not playing the bass clarinet for about 15 years until COVID-19 struck. I started to play again but age didn't improve my neck and back strength. It got even worse; I started to have a lack of cartilage at my pinky. This was super painful, but was 'solved' by wrapping my pinky into tape to immobilise it. However I was afraid that the bad posture of having a weight around my neck would accelerate that process at my back as well . 

 

One day, I was determined to enjoy playing as much as I wanted. I needed a solution that prevents irreversible back problems, and so I decided to create a solution myself.

Welcome side effect

The first harness I designed was out of necessity. It took the instrument weight away from my neck and shoulders down to my core, hence eliminating the discomfort that has plagued me so long. 

 

What I did not expect however, was one welcome side effect: my tone stability improved instantly only by using the harness. It's as I practiced long tones for months, and got the result in a finger snap. My tone was more stable despite body movements. The experience literally reminded me as sitting behind my piano, but having a wind instrument in front of me and automatically playing longer than I ever did before. 

 

Having used it myself for two years, I realized this wasn't a solution for me alone but something I could share with other musicians either to prevent problems, or as solution for playing again.

 

Why I need a harness for the light soprano

I always focussed on the bass clarinet, until last year 2024 when I decided to search a Bb clarinet that has the same sound signature as my bass clarinet. I found exactly that in an instrument with a small bore, yet more wood. Only later I realised its downside; it was very heavy on the lateral force on my thumb. I loved it when test playing, but already a few days later my left thumb started to be super painful. Using the harness solved this entirely. My thumb felt perfect even after much longer sessions and the injury disappeared soon after. Also my tone stability improved as the instrument has an extra fixation point despite total freedom of movement. 

 

As a result of using the harness with my soprano, I improved the harness by adding an extra length adjustment at the back. This enabled me to use the harness for both my soprano as well as my bass clarinet just by choosing the appropriate closing size in the back, without the need to readjusting the looping mechanism in the front.

 

A guitar/bass version, but differently

During COVID-19 I also started again to play the guitar and bass. In contrast of not playing the bass clarinet in seated position, I couldn't play the guitar while standing because a strap hanging over one shoulder caused me so much discomfort and pain, and I also missed the stability compared to seated position.

 

So I designed a harness for the guitar and bass that solved this. I wanted the weight of the instrument to be balanced over two shoulders. But I aimed for more by having maximum posture adjustments, to prevent neck dive of the instrument (my bass feels like a baseball bat, and the heavy neck causes neck dive), to add instrument stability, and to have a strap that keeps the position of the instrument perfectly in place whether it's as long as a grunge-to-the-knees or as breast high as the classic guitar style. 

 

The result is a leather harness over two shoulders with no less than 6 different places for easy adjustments. This enables the instrument to keep stable at the desired posture and angle, without even the need to support the neck. 

 

 

The initial harness was good, but by using it for months it got several iterations until I was fully satisfied. I couldn't do without this harness anymore, or I would be again playing in a seated position. It's also until recently that I realised I haven't even visited the osteopath since I started to use my harnesses. Playing with weight around the neck, or an unbalance over the shoulder as with traditional straps, resulted in a tilted pelvis that needed to be 'cracked' periodically.

Extension of the personality of your instrument

Creating something myself would result in a combination of functionality, classic aesthetics and durability. Hence I travelled to Spain and Italy to learn from master leather artisans whom are known for making horse saddles and leather fashion.

 

 

They taught me how to select and treat the best leather hides, and I've built relationships with trusted suppliers to ensure access to the finest materials. I didn't want my harnesses just to functionally nail it; I also want it to be beautiful, durable, and timeless. The idea is not to replace it every 5 years, but that the harness is there to stay as an extension of the personality of your instrument and the way you bond with it.

 

 

Desakre ... What's in a name?

'Desakre' refers to Le Sacre Du Printemps, Stravinsky's masterpiece which I love so much (Rite of Spring as the English name). Since 20+ years I have been searching different interpretations of this piece. From different directors and orchestras, to jazz interpretations such as from Quartetski, Sylvie Courvoisier, and many others. So it happens occasionally I invite a guest to listen to a newly found interpretation of 'de sakre', ('de' is Dutch for 'le'). Hence Desakre is an abbreviation I have been using since 20+ years which always has been associated with musicality and originality.

 

I'm at your service

Whether you're a sax player, clarinetist, guitar or bass player, I hope my harnesses will help you play longer, more comfortably, and with greater joy. The best harness is the one which you forget you are wearing, because at the end it's all about the music.

 

Desakre harnesses have more adjustment options than traditional harnesses and straps, so let me know if you have any questions with your personal setup upon receiving your harness.

I'll be there to help; you can reach out at sam@desakre.com. I want you to enjoy the maximum playing comfort possible!

 

Sam