Hum, sounds interesting Jim. I,m always on the lookout for good information.

John

+2 (Also get Kenny Werner's Effortless Mastery)

Also, it could be a relaxation problem. If you stop playing for a few minutes AS SOON AS you feel ANY tension (even if it happens after only 3 minutes), lie down eyes closed, get up and play again, rinse repeat. This is one thing I should have done myself when I started out because I had the same problems you mention the first year or so and this is all gone now. After some weeks of really listening to your body when it in effect is telling you to stop I'd be surprised if you weren't rewarded with less tension in your body.

I think that if after 3 minutes there is tension, then how you play each key should be examined. I don't think there should be any tension. Slow deliberate relaxation after each movement will teach you (your hands) to play without strain.

Maybe off topic: but I also get a sore pinkie at the side of the joint at the tip. In my case I have small hands and have put this down to do doing octaves, when the edge of adjacent inner key rubs against the finger. Tips on overcoming that would be great.