 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: stanley
Date: 2001-05-08 16:17
I started playing the clarinet around the age of 50. After a few times I developed a very painful backache. I presume it is because of muscle problems. I could not find any refernce to this in the literature.
If any one has any suggestions in terms of posture or exercises to overcome this problem it would be much appreciated
Thanks
Stanley
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Author: connie
Date: 2001-05-08 17:41
where does it hurt? what positions make it better/worse? have you talked to your doctor?
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-05-08 17:49
Try standing up and moving around more often. Don't sit for long periods of time until you have conditioned your body's muscles for longer endurance. Practice standing up as well as sitting down. Vary the chair you use from time to time. Use lots of stretching exercises and relax more.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-05-08 17:53
Playing bass clarinet, I find that foot placement adjustment is helpful to avoid some pains! Also, on soprano clarinets, adjustments [inversions] of thumb rests makes playing easier and avoids rt hand pains! Luck, Don
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-05-08 19:52
Also, you might get a neck strap for your Bb. That helps carpal tunnel syndrome also. Takes the weight off. Look up some of the online stores for one.
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Author: William
Date: 2001-05-08 21:22
My pain is in back of my right shoulder and sort of in my neck and I always get it after playing clarinet for an extended period, as in a symphony concert, second half. A physical therapist diagonosed this pain as a result of ribs pinching nerves and gave me this streaching excercise: Standing or sitting upright with the head erect and facing forward, lower the shoulder that is in pain and tip your head to its side toward the opposite shoulder. Hold this position for a minute or so and then slowly resume a normal posture. If it is a pinched nerve in the shoulder area, this should relieve the pain. Works wonders for me and no major surgury neccessary!!! However, your own medical experts should be consulted to rule out more serious problems. Good luck.
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Author: Willie
Date: 2001-05-09 00:01
I too have this problem as I have a bad habbit of hunching over while playing. Even though I try to remmember to sit up straight, I resolve to hunching as I concentrate more on the music than my posture. Last night, we went out to the college to preveiw and suggest changes to the video of our last concert for final copy. I got really disgusted when I saw myself hunching during the harder pieces. I may have to start using a 2x4 and some duct tape to cure myself of this.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-05-09 00:11
This fits the description of pain my teacher has described.
Do you, by any chance, tend to hold the clarinet tightly?
How far from your sides do your elbows rest?
A neck strap from claricord may help, and it is only $10. No modifications needed.
I'm a big fan of the Ton Kooiman products and their student (cheapo plastic, but effective) thumbrest is only $25.
I wonder if a trip to the Massage therapist (twice this month, monthly afterwards) would help settle things back into place?
Good luck with this,
anji
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Author: beejay
Date: 2001-05-09 16:24
I don't want to give advice that properly should come from a medical expert, but I would point out that playing the clarinet and reading music require a considerable intellectual effort, which can cause one to stiffen up. I know this happens to me when I spend long periods at the computer or play chess. I get very tense. In other words, if there is no obvious physical reason for the pain, you might consider consulting a therapist about relaxation techniques. Best wishes.
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Author: Danielle
Date: 2001-05-10 02:23
i don't know if i should have started a new thread for this...
i'm only 13, but whenever i play the clarinet for an extended period of time, i get the same sort of pain that some of you were describing, in my shoulder blades and neck. i have extremely straight posture when i play, which can be good, or bad. this has been going on for about a year, and it's killing me as i speak, due to a concert last night (my school conductor dubbed me "benita goodman" because of an incredible jazz solo that i improvised. yay!). i have nyssma this weekend, and if this pain continues on to saturday, then i'll probably end up bombing my solo...a very bad thing. would using a strap help me from being in a lot of pain when i play long concerts, etc (like, all county rehearsals and concerts, and pit orchestras)? or should i go to a doctor or chiropractor or someone?
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-05-10 11:47
Danielle,
Here are some possible causes and solutions:
1. General mental tension tensing the body - learn relaxation techniques
2. Incorrect hand position - Have your private teacher check it. If you don't have a private teacher, get one.
3. The instrument is simply too heavy for your individual body and thumb structure - neckstraps usually take care of this.
4. Physical problems developing from this and other items combined (how much computer work do you do for example). - Check with a specialist in joint and muscle problems and see if there is something developing, what you can do to stop it or prevent it.
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Author: stanley
Date: 2001-05-10 14:40
Please let me thank all of you who replied to me. I have tried to reply to you individualy but if I have missed anyone please accept my thanks.
Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to reply.
When I wrote about my problem I did not expect to receive a reply and so quickly. I
had spoken to other people such as my local Doctor about the backache and playing
the Clarinet but they were unable to relate the two things.
It is very re- assuring to know that through the group I can contact people who can at
least understand what I am on about
I will follow your suggestions and hopefully it will help. But even knowing that I am
not alone with this has already made me feel better
It appears this problem is more widespread than I thought. Once again thanks
Stanley
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