Klarinet Archive - Posting 000330.txt from 1998/02

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: tendonitis
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 21:39:52 -0500

On Thu, 5 Feb 1998 vjupton@-----.edu wrote:
> Last week my professor told me to stop
> wearing the braces and not to use the neck strap. Her reasoning for the
> latter was that if I use it now I will have to use it the rest of my
> playing career. Wearing the neckstrap doesn't bother me as I would
> rather be able to play than have to quit. I was wondering if anyone out
> there has experinced this and can give me some suggestions to help me
> get through it. I have been using a heating pad to relax the muscles and
> trying some flexing exercises. I am concerned because the pain is with
> me for most of the day no matter what I am doing. Thanks for your help.
> -Victoria

Victoria,

I had a very good student experience nearly an identical situation.....and
she had braces, finger braces, etc...... Bass clarinet really did enhance
the pain.

My advice is to wear all of the braces and to try to figure out where the
tension in your playing is. It could be hand size, it could be
back/neck/arms/shoulders.......the bottom line is that the pain will not
go away without figuring out where it is coming from.

Eventually, if you do not figure out what the cause (specifically) is, you
will need to give up the activitiy that is causing it.....or experience
pain and severe debilitation.

See a specialist and get another opinion. Do not stop wearing the braces
just because some teacher says to stop.....your future and career depend
on it.

Good luck!

Roger Garrett
IWU