 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: vin
Date: 2004-01-06 04:05
I have recently started having hand problems and I was wondering if anyone on the board has had or knows someone who has had the following specific types of problems (not any hand problem). I am going to see some doctors at the Cleveland Clinic (specifically for performing artists) next week but I was just curious if anyone else had had similar symptoms. Before the Christmas holiday I noticed an unusual shaking in my right hand (especially the pinky and ring finger) and in the first finger in my left hand. This was also accompanied by a slight loss of mobility. I took ten days off at Christmas to try to alleviate the problem and the loss of moblility is less, but the shaking remains, and things just don't feel quite right. It comes and goes though- at the beginning of a quintet rehearsal tonight it felt not so great but as soon as the rehearsal started I didn't have any problems- in fact it got better. It seems to respond fairly well to back massage as well, but not 100%. I do lots of stretching and I have never had hand problems before. I don't use a neck strap but resting the clarinet on my leg as I often do during practice- the shaking did not stop. The odd thing about this problem is that nothing ever hurt. Now and then after intense practice, things have hurt and I've stopped for a bit and the problems went away. This shaking doesn't feel painful, it just slowly deteriorated until I noticed it- I've even tried giving up coffee, which was nearly the death of me, but I don't think that was the cause. I look forward to seeing doctors and solving this, hopefully avoid having to take any time off at all, but if anyone has had these specific symptoms (not just any old hand problem) please let me know. Thank you!
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Author: Markus Wenninger
Date: 2004-01-06 06:04
It seems to me, according to Your description, a neurological problem, concerning the plexus brachialis, part of the peripheral nervous system. For Your right hand, the Nervus ulnaris seems to be affected, left hand pretty unambiguously Nervus radialis. Seeing those specialists is the only thing advisable (I don´t think it has anything to do with coffee). The fact that it doesn´t hurt (any more) I think is alarming (because pains often are connected with muscular hypertension, like as if You just forced Your muscles to keep up a tiresome work for too long a time, which results in aches up to inflammation). Shaking, any kind of tremor still might be connected to a distortion of the neural transmitting system in Your arm- and handmuscles; the point is, whether the shaking is constantly there more or less, or just appears when You intentionally want to move Your e.g. fingers whilst playing clarinet (intentional tremor). To be honest I think it´s high time that You consulted a specialist (even when the diagnosis might be something like "hysteria" and the therapy "yoga"...;-)), but neural symptoms are subtle though not to be brushed away).
I wish You all the best for this, that You will get healthy as soon as possible, I hope all will be well!
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Author: Dawne
Date: 2004-01-06 06:49
Don't hesitate to get this checked out...it could be something serious. Let us know what you find out.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-01-06 20:46
I agree with the above. Is it possible that ?some? of you problem is due to our old nemesis, the thumbrest location, prob. too low "for comfort" and rt hand access to the E/B touch. I blame my problems on age-related arthuritis, and just shake my fingers loose and try-try again. Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: vin
Date: 2004-01-07 23:17
I actually have had my thumbrest raised for about 4 years and have found it to be much more comfortable. I have an appointment next week at the Cleveland Clinic, where they work with musicians all the time. Hopefully, it will be helpful.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-01-08 03:24
Strangely enought a fine clarinet playing colleague of mine in a major orchestra has had similar troubles with his shoulders and hands.
It subsided after a good deal of rest from the clarinet.
He also changed his set up to less resistance in order to lessen fatigue to great enhancement and prolongation of his career/etc.
I would give some thought to having Yoga classes and also avoiding the nutty lifestyle consequently that comes with Music. For example, instead of listening to music when not practicing try reading and finding things outside of music to relax you....
sadly some Music type people forget a truly enjoyable life means things other than music
so... alot of players lose contact with the enjoyment of a full moon or even watching cheesy horror films from the 50s which I find great for relaxing....
Sometimes the resistance in your set up can cause what I call peripheral physical tension so if there is any forcing in the sound or technique this can lead to disaster...
Best wishes
David Dow
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Author: CrazyCanuck
Date: 2004-01-08 04:52
I have had many of the same problems.. too late to elaborate too much on specifics. Make a long story short, I couldn't play for about 3 years due to pain, and a lack of feeling in my hand.
I purchased a Ton Kooiman thumbrest in the summer (for about the same price I paid for my first clarinet,) and it is worth every single penny. It allows you to put your hand in an ideal position so the nerves are not compressed in your wrist.
Good luck with your problems. Music is truly the one thing in life that is almost impossible to give up.
Email me with any questions
Nick
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Author: Dawne
Date: 2004-01-08 08:25
That you have no pain with this is a bit worrysome. Are you experiencing any visual problems?
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2004-01-08 13:50
" Are you experiencing any visual problems?"
Only when I try to transpose!.
Seriously, let's stop trying to play 'Doctor' on this BB. If you have medical problems go see your Dr. My RA Doc says, sorry--age is a factor and mild exercise and several medications help but will not solve.
Bob A
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-01-08 15:52
After playing as an orchestral clarinetist for about 18 years, I can say that preventive maintainance has really been the key in my solution to hand/shoulder problems related to the clarinet. If you play as much as I do, I really think this gives a background in understanding how stresses on the body can be such a determining factor in the health of a player...no
I am not a doctor but as an Alexander technique student the primary target is to enable a person to perform without hindering their ability to lead a normal productive career. I also know that advice is advice, but things being considered having played operas that last over 4 hours, etc, this gives a performer sometimes an innate ability to see their own physical limitations. Musicians lament a good deal about their physical problems primarily because this can hit the pocket book pretty hard.
For example, take Karl Leister. Here is a guy who is way up there in age, yet sounds fantastic because no doubt the way and how he plays must be the most effective for him. His career from the outset has been one that is the most stellar of any clarinetist in the world....and if you have seen him live in concert like I have it amazes how well relaxed and confident he plays/....one therefore must consider what is working and what is not. If you don't get pro active, and look for results that are consistent and easy then in my case I would not be working as a clarinetist this day.
In the late 80s I went and studied with a private teacher(fairly famous if that means anything) and his first comment was my set up was defeating my purposes....after a pause I realized playing on 4 and half reed and busting my guts to make a pleasant tone did not work.....it was good advice. No doctor unless a music doctor would ever say this to me. As to how this affected me, well shortly after changing mouthpiece, reeds and even the way I held myself I noticed my sound opened up and then miraculous things happend...passages no longer obtainable came out with ease. So, in my case a private teacher who had a good idea of how the clarinet works and what is easy for an artist had a tremendous influence. There was no way I was going back to the closed mouthpiece I had, or the stuffy response of the mouthpiece previously....it was a revelation and led to my current career being effective as a performer!!
David Dow
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Author: vin
Date: 2004-01-08 19:58
No visual problems, except when I look at most conductors.
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