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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1 |
Hi, first post here, but one of the reasons I registered was to ask this!
To start with, I am a 21 year old music student, with keyboard/piano serving as my primary instrument. I have been playing for 11 years (with a two year gap).
I'm just going to go straight into what I need to say; my hands hurt. A lot. Not just when playing piano, but they go stiff and feel awkward after typing on a laptop, or lifting crates/typing into a cash register at work. Even if I relax them when practicing, they feel odd.
I spent roughly a year going over relaxation techniques with one of my past teachers, as he noted my hands were always very tense. That was a year ago. I've learned to relax them now, but still feel myself tensing when I don't need to (ie. not when my hands are locked to play octaves/fast chord movements).
For the past two years, I've been able to make any finger/wrist of my choice crackle at will. If I rotate my wrist, it sounds like a cement mixer. My current teacher said that that's natural, as he had that when he was my age, but after his arms/wrists stopped growing he was fine. But the fact that my hands are starting to hurt now is worrying, especially after a three hour long wedding band rehearsal. It should be noted that as well as piano, my hands are/were used to play guitar, bagpipes and are stretched and used quite a lot when I work part time at my local supermarket, so they've seen a lot of use in the past decade.
When watching other pianists perform live, I always examine their hands and try to imitate their position/feel when I practice at home. However, I have very 'flat' hands and it's difficult for me to tell just by looking whether or not my hand's posture is like theirs. It's confusing, because at lessons, my piano teacher says my hand technique is spot on - that's when practicing. When PERFORMING, however, at my college, the senior piano tutor always comments on how my hands seem tense. But as I stated, I can't tell by looking; I just have to feel.
Basically, I need advice on what to do, and THOROUGH details on proper hand/wrist techniques/positions while playing. I may just be being paranoid, but I would hate for my career to be cut short due to hand problems that could/should have been addressed earlier on.
I'm aware I've not been very clear, so if more information is needed, I'll happily answer.
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 26,909
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
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Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 26,909 |
We all use our hands extensively and sometimes strenuously in nearly everything we do. However, the symptoms you describe would, I think, require consultation with a physiotherapist or a medical officer, certainly not strangers on an Internet forum.
Hands that are stiff and hurt after any activity, turning wrists that sound like a "cement mixer," these are not normal, in my experience.
To check your hand position while playing use a mirror or video-tape your playing. Meanwhile, seek professional advice and help would be my advice.
Regards,
BruceD - - - - - Estonia 190
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,475
4000 Post Club Member
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4000 Post Club Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,475 |
What BruceD said. Just sent you a PM. Welcome to the forum! --Andy
I may not be fast, but at least I'm slow.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,064
2000 Post Club Member
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2000 Post Club Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,064 |
You're very right to be concerned about protecting your hands. I think the best source of information about this is the Golandsky Institute. I'd suggest you check out their website if you're not familiar with it, and consider getting an evaluation from one of their teachers. I'm not a high-level pianist myself (just a formerly injured amateur), but I know they have helped many who are. There's an eloquent commentary on this, from a pianist who wasn't injured but sought help with technique: http://www.golandskyinstitute.org/about/letters-entry/josu_de_solaun
1989 Baldwin R
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 789
500 Post Club Member
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500 Post Club Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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I had major tension problems after recovering from a serious accident about 20 years ago. I credit The Alexander Technique with helping me to shed them. It was a long road for me - roughly 2 years of lessons in body use and 'direction.' But it was worth it. I highly doubt that it would take as long for you to get benefits from it. It's best to take a couple introductory lessons before deciding: Alexander Technique info link
Piano instruction and performance
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 96
Full Member
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Full Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 96 |
I agree about the physiotherapist advice. I'm seeing one (for the guitar) who specialize in helping musician getting a better posture, etc. I had pain in my elbows, and it disappeared when I learned... to sit properly. So in your case it could be something you wouldn't think of, something apparently unrelated, and I don't think it'd help to just focus in your hands (moreover it might be in the wrong way, ie. there are some muscles who need to work, so aiming for total relaxation isn't really a good idea).
Anyway, if I were you I'd just go to see a physiotherapist who is aware of the problem musicians have. I found mine asking a cello teacher at my conservatory. There must well be someone who knows a good physiotherapist in yours.
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 328
Full Member
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Full Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 328 |
Hope you don't mind I also sent you a PM. Good luck
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