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Tremor in hands

Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-05-29 19:06

I have developed a tremor in my hands recently and during my last rehearsal on Tuesday, it began to prove problematic relative to clarinet playing. I did a BBoard search and the topic hasn't come up recently--I'd like to know if anyone else here has dealt with this and what strategies proved effective for mitigating it.

In the meantime--I did see my GP regarding this yesterday and they referred me to a neurologist straightaway; am waiting to get an appointment.

I will probably take a few days off from playing and try using a neck strap when I resume.

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Re: Tremor in hands

Author: ChiTownClarinet
Date: 2015-05-29 19:32

Hi Ursa,

I'm a physician assistant (PA), and I practice internal medicine. There are many types of tremors with various causes. If you are an adult and it is new onset, then evaluation by a neurologist is definitely indicated. There are multiple reasons and different medications that can cause tremor, too many to get into here, so my best advice is see the neurologist for consultation.

You could end up getting far too much incorrect information on a forum such as this by people presenting anecdotal experience rather than vital facts and information.

I, too, have a mild tremor that affects my playing if I don't treat it properly, but sharing my experience would not be appropriate as we could have vastly different etiologies.

The good news is most tremors can be controlled with medications or certain adaptations. Sometimes it takes a few trials to see what will work best for you, but your clarinet playing should not be severely impacted!

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Re: Tremor in hands

Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-05-29 20:29

Just an anecdote.

I had a tremor in my left index finger recently. It lasted about two months. The WHOLE time I'm thinking....."well, it's been a good run." But it seems to have gone away on its own.

I do highly endorse the idea of consulting a medical professional. If it gets in the way, you should address YOUR issue and find out what it it, and what can be done for it.

...........Paul Aviles

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Re: Tremor in hands

Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-05-30 06:24

Thanks for the responses! Having already suffered through a lightning strike and a stroke, I fully realize this is nothing to dink around with and am anxiously awaiting to hear back from the neurologist's office. I guess I was just casting about for some ideas on how best to manage until the situation is professionally addressed.

I have absolutely no idea how at my last rehearsal, after losing my grip on my best mouthpiece after removing it from my clarinet for a quick swabbing, I was somehow able to grab it with my other hand in mid-air before it hit the tiled concrete floor. What a close call!

Paul, after suffering through some paralysis following a stroke, I've certainly been through the "Well, it's been a good run" woes. A brasswind player at the time and left unable to manage any brasswind instrument, out of a mixture of boredom, frustration, and desperation I dug my little-used Vito clarinet out of the closet--and discovered that I could still able to play the clarinet! What sheer joy it was to be able to play a wind instrument again, and such good therapy for my weakened right hand and diaphragm, too.

This is just a minor bump in the road. Keep calm and carry on.

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