|
Welcome to the Piano World Piano Forums Over 3 million posts about pianos, digital pianos, and all types of keyboard instruments. Over 100,000 members from around the world.
Join the World's Largest Community of Piano Lovers
(it's free)
It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!
|
|
72 members (accordeur, BWV846, Animisha, benkeys, Anglagard44, brdwyguy, 16 invisible),
2,323
guests, and
438
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 12
Junior Member
|
OP
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 12 |
Hi everyone
I'm sort of new to the list (and this business) and want to first say thanks to everyone for making this such a great resource.
I'm in my 40's and as I progress I'm starting to notice a few aches and pains in my body, and I've heard many techs speak about the benefits of strength training to help with this. At this point I'm feeling a bit of trouble in my shoulders, lower back and wrists. I know there are some techniques to employ while tuning to help, and I'm trying to incorporate those.
Once business gets to a certain level I think a hot tub is in order but right now hot baths are helping.
With respect to weight training, does anyone recommend any specific exercises that benefit areas mostly likely to affect piano techs? Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere but a search through the forums didn't help.
Thanks,
Paul
Paul Clement Certified Piano Technician - UWO 2008
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 961
500 Post Club Member
|
500 Post Club Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 961 |
All I can suggest is what I do. I work with dumbells at various weights (10, 15, and 25lb actually) and do curls, pulls, and I do bench work by laying on the floor and pushing dumbells up....pretty much daily, five days a week anyway.
I was a martial arts instructor for years, and after trying many things in the studio with students from all walks from lawyers to factory workers to big strong farmers, we eventually opted for light weights and LOTS of stretching. It won't really build bulk, but it will keep you toned and stretched and strong.
That said, even with tai chi and yoga and weights etc., I began to have some minor shoulder issues (right shoulder) during my Thanksgiving to Christmas schedule, which is VERY intense...so, I'm still learning as to tuning posture etc etc.
But I think most folks these days recommend stretching the tendons and at least some kind of resistance training. YMMV
Welcome to the Forum, by the way...RPD
MPT(Master Piano Technicians of America) Member AMICA (Automated Musical Instruments Collector's Association) (Subscriber PTG Journal) Piano-Tuner-Rebuilder/Musician www.actionpianoservice.com DEALER Hailun Pianos
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,263
4000 Post Club Member
|
4000 Post Club Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,263 |
Strength or resistance training is a good idea but why not a complete program for the whole body? Because piano tuning requires specific muscle groups, those groups are built up while the rest of the body is ignored. This can lead to “stress injury†or what is called “repetitive strain injuriesâ€. So just like tennis can build up one side of the bodies’ structure, you need to compensate for this by building up the rest of the body to prevent injury. Right now you are feeling sore because only certain muscle groups are doing all of the work. There are many programs available at your local gym, for your age group the minimum is 40 minutes of aerobics that take your heart rate to 108-145 beats per minute, light free weights(10lb.), some light weight machines of the same, would be a good way to get started. A complete program for the whole body will also help to relieve the stress of tuning, (because it can be nerve-wracking sometimes: oh and so can the customers ) and also teaches discipline and a healthy lifestyle. Best to find a fitness trainer by recommendation from a friend and consult with them. www.silverwoodpianos.com
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,481
2000 Post Club Member
|
2000 Post Club Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,481 |
Changing the angle your positioned, the distance from the tuning hammer, overhand/underhand, sitting/standing and posture will spread the forces over different muscle groups or hit the same muscles from different angles and reduce repetitive stress injury. There are several good weight training books available that show detailed anatomy illustrations that highlight the muscle or muscle group that an exercise concentrates on. The idea is to mix tuning positions and training enough that you allow specific muscles to rest and grow stronger if they are not developed enough. Extending the tuning lever to different lengths can also help if you have that option. I have learned to tune with my other hand over the years and it divides the strain in half and helps keep the balance. It seems awkward at first but is not as difficult to learn as you might think.
Piano Technician George Brown College /85 Niagara Region
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,018
2000 Post Club Member
|
2000 Post Club Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,018 |
Echo what Silverwood says. A complete program. The importance of flexibility is constantly being upgraded. Yoga is about the only complete workout. We were doing handstand in a class not too long ago. I sure am glad I don't weigh much. I don't know if I could hold 200# over my head.
Keith Roberts Keith's Piano Service Hathaway Pines,Ca
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 12
Junior Member
|
OP
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 12 |
Thanks gents. I have been doing yoga myself for a few years and enjoy the benefits of it, and also try to get in as much time with general overall conditioning as possible.
My specific question was sort of brought on by the piece in the January PTJ 'Q&A Roundtable' by Ed Foote about the stretches he does for in his forearm.
Emmery, I'm sure you're right about using both hands (and sometimes you have no choice when the upright is in the corner), but heck, I can barely do it with my right at the moment!
Paul Clement Certified Piano Technician - UWO 2008
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,677
2000 Post Club Member
|
2000 Post Club Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,677 |
If you have one, a wood pile is great exercise, and there are no annoying gym fees and no awkward hand stands involved. The cutting, stacking, toting and carrying is a great antidote to sitting in a vehicle and standing in front of pianos all day.
If you need more exercise, move and restack the pile periodically. If you don't have one, well ... never mind.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 32,060
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
|
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 32,060 |
Carry your tools on the opposite side from the one you tune with.
Semipro Tech
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 8,453
8000 Post Club Member
|
8000 Post Club Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 8,453 |
Originally posted by David Jenson: If you have one, a wood pile is great exercise, and there are no annoying gym fees and no awkward hand stands involved. The cutting, stacking, toting and carrying is a great antidote to sitting in a vehicle and standing in front of pianos all day.
If you need more exercise, move and restack the pile periodically. If you don't have one, well ... never mind. Great advice! I enjoy working on the wood pile on a cold day; you stay warm, too.
Close only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, and nuclear weapons.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,983
3000 Post Club Member
|
3000 Post Club Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,983 |
Originally posted by Horowitzian: [Great advice! I enjoy working on the wood pile on a cold day; you stay warm, too. Perhaps you didn't read correctly - this thread is about weight training for piano servicing. I am not sure you are qualified to answer that question.....
JG
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,983
3000 Post Club Member
|
3000 Post Club Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,983 |
One thing that hasn't been addressed enough is ergonomics: posture, seating height etc. What kind of tuning hammer are you using, Paul?
I found that a ball end tuning lever can do wonders. A number of years ago, I smiled politely at the ball end that the late Carl Meyer was trying to sell me. He finally GAVE it to me, bless his soul.
I had almost grown accustomed to the chronic tightness in my shoulder and the painful knot between my shoulder blades. It turned out that the way I was gripping the tuning hammer, my hand and fingers resembles a tense claw. The ball end allowed my hand relax into a more natural position, like loosely holding a tennis ball.
After using the ball end for a while, my discomfort decreased by 70 - 80%.
JG
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 8,453
8000 Post Club Member
|
8000 Post Club Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 8,453 |
Sorry, good mate. I was coming from the angle of "good exercise for the whole body". I read and understood the subject of this thread. Personal experience with woodpiles backs up my assertion. I may not be a piano tech, but I do happen to know a few things about exercise... Cheers!
Close only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, and nuclear weapons.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 12
Junior Member
|
OP
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 12 |
I recently acquired a Fujan hammer Jurgen, and I can see what all the accolades are about. I have noticed that some of the discomfort is gone from my wrist and forearm since the switch. Not to mention better quality tunings.
Aside from general muscle stiffness that I can usually stretch out, mostly I have what seems to be joint pain in both shoulders. I tune about 75% uprights I guess, and mostly new ones at that - working for a dealer. I typically stand unless it is a smaller piano, and I've found I can minimize the shoulder trouble if standing slightly with my right side to the piano and my elbow on top for leverage. This is of course harder on the back but seems easier on my shoulders, especially with the tight pins in those new pianos.
Jurgen you mentioned seating height. Is there some method for this I should consider?
Paul Clement Certified Piano Technician - UWO 2008
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,018
2000 Post Club Member
|
2000 Post Club Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,018 |
Hey, Horowitzian, if you know Jurgen, that was one of his funniest posts to date. You should gave gotten indignant like everyone else...... You were much too nice.
Keith Roberts Keith's Piano Service Hathaway Pines,Ca
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,555
4000 Post Club Member
|
4000 Post Club Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,555 |
Originally posted by Silverwood Pianos: There are many programs available at your local gym, for your age group the minimum is 40 minutes of aerobics that take your heart rate to 108-145 beats per minute, light free weights(10lb.), some light weight machines of the same, would be a good way to get started.
www.silverwoodpianos.com Most trainers will start an inexperienced person out with high repetitions of light weights. I suspect that is risky. Piano tuners are already at risk for repetitive strain injury, as are people in your age group. I have a feeling (no data to back it up) that you are safer with moderate to heavy weights, moderate to low repetitions, lots of rest between workouts, and focus on core strength (compound multijoint exercises rather than isolation type). For sample programs I'd suggest looking at HIT (high intensity training) and Hardgainer sites. I know this is not conventional wisdom but it makes sense to me, and is what I do.
gotta go practice
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,983
3000 Post Club Member
|
3000 Post Club Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,983 |
As for sitting height - I like to sit as high as I can, or as high as the bench will go. I am not particularly fond of tuning while standing - it seems that my left arm gives me problems - reaching diagonally out & down while the right is diagonally up and out...
We are all built differently, and usually our bodies tell us what is good or not so good for them...
JG
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,018
2000 Post Club Member
|
2000 Post Club Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,018 |
Exactly Jurgen. If the bench is adjustable, the first thing I do is wind it up as high as it can go
Keith Roberts Keith's Piano Service Hathaway Pines,Ca
|
|
|
|
Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:34 PM
|
Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:23 PM
|
|
|
|
Forums43
Topics223,405
Posts3,349,434
Members111,637
|
Most Online15,252 Mar 21st, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|