Article 4502 of rec.music.makers.bagpipe: Path: magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!ddaye From: ddaye@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (David C Daye) Newsgroups: rec.music.makers.bagpipe Subject: Re: Hand Problems Date: 17 Jul 1995 14:37:32 GMT Organization: The Ohio State University Lines: 57 Message-ID: <3udsjc$od6@charm.magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu> References: <199507171230.IAA20443@shotts.sratech.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: top.magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu In article <199507171230.IAA20443@shotts.sratech.com>, Chris Hamilton wrote: >>Have any pipers out there had any experience with tendonitis in the >>thumbs? As a beginner, I've been working on the practice chanter for >>around one and a half to two hours a day for about five months. I'm also a >>pianist, and the piping hand position (which I've developed over 40 years) OK, an adult beginner with other musical skills. First, adults don't always benefit from prolonged practice the way kids do. Is all this practice in one big lump? You might advance just as quickly with 2-3 much shorter daily sessions, totalling 45 min to an hour. People vary a lot esp as adults, it's just something to try. Oh, do you use the computer a lot? There seem to be limits on tendon- hours-per-day, maybe this is a factor too. Anything with computer keyboard or mouse technique you can improve or minimize? Often I find keyboarders using a lot more force than they ought to. Chris Hamilton's comments were important. Since you're experiencing pain it's clear that either you're squeezing something way too hard, or at least you're trying to use force to get speed or a smart motion beyond the true coordination level you have established. First finnesse, *then* power. This is a big problem (as I'm finding out on keyboard and uilleann pipes) for adult musicians because some of your muscles are fully ready while others are nearly unskilled. To a musician this is always scary, it feels like you've had a minor stroke or something. You feel the need to fix it instantly so you end up forcing. >> persistent soreness deep inside the base Every time this comes up with our highland dancers the sports-med people insist on a *total* layoff. Quit completely. If you've done no damage you'll recover in a few days. If it takes longer, well, that's telling you something important. >sure why it happens. The only workaround is to alter one's >technique (different hand positions), Surely, since the pain is a clear signal of doing something fundamentally wrong. After the layoff, count on a slow-progress period and possibly some meticulous self-examination. If this is beyond the experience or interest of your teacher, ask if there is a known "finger mechanic" in the area who could get you past this obstacle. I bought a lovely uilleann pipe from a programmer on the net with carpal tunnel. Fix this now so you don't suffer the same fate. Good luck and keep us posted on your status. -- David Daye http://www-bprc.mps.ohio-state.edu/~bdaye/bagpipes.htm scot & uilleann Pipe & reed modification diagrams, sound files of GHB Columbus Ohio USA a440 & UP trad/silly. Beginner tips & Sounds of Extra ddaye@daye1.com Terrier-Estrial Intelligence. Revised 7 Jul 95.