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I have recently increased the amount of time I put into playing the piano. After that, I developed pain in my thumb on my right hand (only that one finger). I had to cancel lessons and put a splint on it. I am wondering if playing the piano could have caused it. Has anyone had similar pain in thier fingers, and if so, how did you treat it.

-Mike-

YES!!.. From what youve said the exact same thing happened to me, except on my left thumb. I was playing the piano way more (a lot of fast bangy stuff too, which didnt help) and it started hurting everytime I put pressure on it, and I also had to cancel lessons. At first I thought part of my nail was digging into my skin, so I cut it really short, which wasnt a good idea at all, because it just exposed the sensitive part of the skin, and made it worse. I tried putting a bandaid over it for cusioning which didnt really help that much, and then I just resorted to playing with the flat part of my thumb which was super awkard, but at least it let me practise. Sorry though, I really have no cure for this, for me i just laid off it and it went away after a week.

I have that happening in my left pinky right now (octaves and fast, bangy stuff). I don't really have a remedy but I just play through the pain (It sounds like I'm describing an intense contact sport...) and it doesn't really bother me, but if it REALLY hurts then I take a break

Yeah, I got that pain in my left pinky after about a month of Pischna exercises. I slowed down the exercises, and the first two days I got that pain, I stopped immediately for a break. The third time I got the pain, I continued to finish my exercises, and then played some slow, easy music that wouldn't put a lot of pressure on my left pinky.

I don't do the Pischna exercises anymore, although maybe I should... But if they're the cause of my "injury"....

"Doctor, Doctor, my arm hurts when I turn it like so!"
"So, nu, don't turn it like that!"

Exercises aren't the cause of injury, technique is. When your fingers hurt there is always a reason... When you next practice, note the areas that hurt and try to become aware of what When you practice, keep in mind the areas that hurt and try to become aware of the motions that cause the pain. It may help to try to reproduce the motions away from the keyboard.

Ryan

You should be checked out for arthritis.. I have a soft splint and it helps a litte. Also had an injection of steroid. It didn't work for me. If you are doing exercises properly it should bring pain.. Anyone can overdo anything and cause pain.
I think I will have to live with a painful thumb.. The splint does help a bit..

Is this what you intended to write, or should there have been a "not" in there?

NO PAIN NO GAIN!

Pain as a consequence of playing the piano is never right. Since I have been posting on piano forums I have been appalled at the number of obviously good players who experience injuries of one sort or another. I have played much difficult stuff for over forty years, I frequently improvise for hours on end and I have regularly used a practice clavier on at least six ounces for years. Not once have I ever felt any pain through playing the piano. I cannot, however, claim that it is because my technique is exemplary because since reading forums I have the distinct impression that the way I play is far from orthodox or correct.

Perhaps a tense, pressured competitive mental approach, the precise opposite to my own and seemingly common among very good pianists, might have something to do with it ? It's the only reason I can think of otherwise I'd be a mass of pains and injuries by now.

It's not playing the piano that's causing your injuries but HOW you play. You need to revise your approach to technique. Some of the passages you mention you describe as loud and bangy. So you are probably approaching them incorrectly. While practising exercises the hands will experience some fatigue so then you should stop and shake them out until you've rested a bit and then go again. If you're 'hitting' the keys, then your whole approach is wrong and the cause of your problem. I practise exercises, etc., every day and I've never had an injury like you describe and I play octave passages, sixths, etc. Video yourself and see what you're doing. That might be revealing. The keys should never be 'whacked, hit, or aggressed upon' as it is tantamount to hitting a brick wall after a while. If the fallboard is gouged and disfigured then you know whoever was playing it has lousy technique.

> NO PAIN NO GAIN!

I hope you're joking... Mike, you can hurt yourself if you practice too hard and/or practice with improper technique. Show your teacher how you practice and where it hurts, and hopefully he/she can show you how to correct it. If your teacher can't help, go consult with a teacher who can -- you don't want to risk a serious injury! Octaves or whatever, it can all be played without pain if you do it right.

I've had this kind of finger pain on occasion, usually from heavy practice of passages where the 5th finger is involved in big leaps. I have to keep reminding myself to bring down the volume so I approach the "landing" more gently.

Still, for me, this kind of fingertip "bruising" will repair itself in a couple of days. I'd rather deal with that than a muscular injury from stiffness or bad technique that really could develop into something more serious.