Story of Desakre

How it all began... my back pain and discomfort as problem to be solved

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 the sound texture of my instrument, but I preferred the feel of sitting behind my piano and playing without any discomfort by a weight literally hanging at my neck. The act of playing an instrument that didn't hang the weight around my neck was inspiring and addictive, so I focussed more on guitar, bass and piano, all in seated position.

This ended up in not playing the bass clarinet for about 20 years until COVID-19 struck. I started to play the bass clarinet 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 left pinky. This was super painful, but got solved by immobilising my pinky by wrapping it with tape. However I was afraid this process could be expected at my back as well, and be accelerated by the bad posture of having a weight around my neck. One day, I was determined to enjoy playing as much as I wanted to. I needed a solution for my delicate back, and so I decided to create one myself.

From my first self-made solution to a product that is functional yet elegant & classic

The first harness I designed was out of necessity. It took the weight of my instrument 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 just by using the harness. It's like I practiced long tones for months, and got the result in a finger snap. I smiled from ear to ear. It felt like I had accessed a whole new dimension of control and freedom in playing. 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 playing longer than I ever did before. Having used it for over a year, I realized this wasn't a solution for me alone but something I could share with other musicians facing similar challenges.

Why I can't do without the harness even for my soprano clarinet

I always focussed on the bass clarinet only, until last year 2024. The reason is that I wanted something for practice purposes that required less effort while playing (I'm using a very open bass clarinet mouthpiece, so practicing classic long exercises is physically tiring), and faster cleanup afterwards. So after so many years, I searched a clarinet that has the same sound signature as my bass clarinet, which I found in an instrument with a heavy wall tube. The disadvantage however of such instrument is its weight. I didn't notice the difference during relatively short tests, but after several days my left thumb really started to be super painful causing a continuous anti-focus on the music itself. Using the harness solved this entirely. My thumb felt perfect even after much longer sessions and the injury disappeared. 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 further improved the harness by adding an extra length adjustment at the back by adding extra push buttons. This enabled me to use the harness for both my soprano as well as my bass clarinet just by choosing the closing size in the back, without the need to readjusting the looping mechanism in the front.

How I couldn't find comfort playing the guitar or bass while standing, and how I solved it

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 it also lacked the stability of a seated position.

So I designed a harness for the guitar and bass. I wanted the weight of the instrument to be balanced over two shoulders in order to not create a physical problem over time. I also wanted to optimize instrument posture adjustments, to prevent neck dive of the instrument (my bass has what they call a heavy 'baseball bat' feel), to add instrument stability and therefore also tone 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 an elegant 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 (meanwhile I also started playing in a band so that's always the best test) it got several iterations until I was really satisfied. I couldn't do without this harness anymore, or I would be again playing in a seated position but missing the freedom around as I now liked. It's also until recently that I realised I haven't visited the osteopath anymore since I started to use my harnesses. Playing with weight around the neck, or an unbalance over the shoulder, resulting in a tilted pelvis that needed to be treated periodically. I even forgot about this!

My background in art sciences

I like quality products that last forever. I studied art sciences (musicology), and creating something myself would be something in which every detail is both as functional as aesthetically pleasing. Hence I went to both Spain and Italy to learn from master leather artisans known for making horse saddles and leather fashion. They taught me how to select and treat the best leathers, 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 that musicians replace the product 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.

What does Desakre mean (for me)?

Initially I was thinking about names that express the functionality, such as ergo-'whatever'. However for me the point was actually the opposite: to functionally nail it that much that you forget about the harness but being sucked into the world of art whether that's about musicality or photography. 

Hence the 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 e.o. So it did happen from time to time that I told a friend that I found a new interesting 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.

Thanks

Thanks for taking the time to read about my journey. Whether you are a sax player, (bass) clarinetist, guitar or bass player, I hope my harnesses will help you play longer, more comfortably, and with greater joy. My 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. Some adjustments might at first seem to do the same, but whether it's done at the one or other position has an impact on the overall feel. I'll be there to help if you have questions, even with a video call as I want you to be sure you'll get the maximum playing comfort possible!

Sam