 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Tired
Date: 2001-07-30 21:50
I need some advice!
I have a lot of pain in my right hand, and my teacher very much insists that I don't use a necktrap. I used to use one, but he says if I fix how I hold the instrument, it won't hurt anymore. I have tried to do it like he says, but I still have a lot of pain. (He is not the type of teacher you argue with.)
I also used to have major embouchure problems which prevented me from playing for quite a while, and my embouchure is still weak, and he insists that I warm up with long tones, and it makes my chops burn and then they are shot for several hours. What does it mean when your muscles burn? I am afraid of starting my practice time with long tones because I don't want to mess up my embouchure up again. I can do long tones better farther into my practice time, when I have warmed up on scales, but he says I need to do it first thing so it will strengthen me. Is this true?????
I am feeling a bit frustrated, because I need to be careful with my body. (Changing teachers is not a viable option for me right now for a ton of reasons that are not worth typing out here.)
Help??!?!!??
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Pam
Date: 2001-07-30 22:10
My 2 cents, for what it's worth.
For your hand, have you considered consulting your family physician? That would be the first place I would go with that problem even if it is related to your playing. Maybe take your horn with you to the doctor to show him/her how you hold it.
About the long tones. I think that doing them is definately a good thing to build up your lungs as well as your embouchure. Personally, as long as you are doing them, I don't know that it matters when you insert them into your practice routine.
Best,
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: connie
Date: 2001-07-30 22:47
The way to strengthen a muscle is to work it till its tired, let it rest, then work it some more. The burning comes from a buildup of lactic acid in the muscle, which comes from the unaccustomed activity. What I have done is to play long tones till I get tired, then go do something else for five minutes. Then when I come back I start the rest of my practice.
If you are a frequent visitor here, you know how common wrist problems are. I don't understand your teacher's reasoning about the neckstrap. People's hands and wrists come in different sizes, and thumbrests, unless moveable, are not necessarily in the right place. When your teacher shows you the correct hand position, does it relieve the pain? If so, then he may have a point; otherwise, if it's anatomical, you may be doing more harm than good. I second the suggestion to consult your doctor.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kirk
Date: 2001-07-31 00:20
You may wish to visit your doctor to make sure carpal tunnel syndrome isn't creeping up on your hands.
When I resumed playing after a very long hiatus, my thumb and wrist would ache too. What helped me was this: try to practice for 10 mins, then rest your hands and flex them as if reaching for something overhead. If they feel better go for another 10 mins. Make sure you let your teacher know about the problems also. In time, you will be able to practice longer with no pain.
For your embochure problems, try to blow in the palm of your hands as if you had the mouthpiece in your mouth, this will help build up your embouchure endurance as well as notice how your airstream changes.
Hope this helps like it helped me .
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Anji
Date: 2001-07-31 01:26
I use the Ton Kooiman and love it.
You could easily rest the horn on your knee while you play.
You may readily move the thumbrest up, so the thumb and first finger oppose.
If you have pain, STOP. Rest is the first remedy for this sort of thing.
It does NOT improve buy playing through (no matter what your teacher says).
When there are many professional players using straps (and playing in top form),
abrogating the use of a strap is more than conservative.
Bottom line, any teacher, in any venue, in any endeavor, that pushes you toward a crippling injury deserves to be fired.
But hey, it's just your future in music.
If you take time away from the horn, you may find another instructor.
anji
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2001-07-31 06:47
IMHO, Tired, you'd be better off practicing on your own. Anyone who would push someone to the point of continuing pain is hazardous to your wellbeing. Teachers are supposed to guide you to play better, not to hurt yourself by the macho approach. You're better off in the long run to stop it... now. Don't wait 'til you're forced to quit because of injury to your chops or your hands.
Why do you think they make neckstraps anyway? It's no sign of weakness to use assists.
- ron b -
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2001-07-31 06:51
IMHO, Tired;
If you can't change instructors, quit. You'd be better off practicing on your own. Anyone who pushes someone to the point of continuing pain is hazardous to your wellbeing. Teachers are supposed to guide you to play better, not to hurt yourself by the macho approach. You'll be better off in the long run stopping it... now. Don't wait 'til you're forced to quit because of injury to your chops or your hands.
Why do you think they make neckstraps anyway? It's no sign of weakness to use assists.
- ron b -
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2001-07-31 13:51
Although Anji suggests resting your clarinet on your knee as an alternative to the neckstrap, I doubt that an instructor who won't let you use a neckstrap would let you rest your clarinet on your knee either.
I agree that it would be advisable to get an instructor who allows you to take actions, such as using a neckstrap or resting your instrument on your knee, that could prevent you from permanently damaging your hand.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Meri
Date: 2001-07-31 22:18
Like others have said, I would first rule out carpal tunnel syndrome.
Some ideas:
Use one of those thumbrest covers, or cut a piece from pencil grips and place it over the thumbrest.
Experiment with different placements of the thumb on the thumbrest to find the one that gives you the most freedom of movement.
Has your instructor mentioned that your thumbrest could be too low? Until I got an adjustable thumb rest put in, it was extremely difficult to keep my right hand in the correct position; now, it is not a problem at all.
Remember to stretch your hands every so often.
Pay attention to whether tension is developing there, or in other places. Then, practice releasing the tension.
Then, if all else fails, consider using a neckstrap.
Meri
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tired
Date: 2001-08-01 21:10
Thanks everyone for your suggestions, I have already been to an Arts Physician about my embouchure, and I have already had my thumbrest moved, I think it is more of an issue of my teacher not respecting the fact that I need to be careful with my body. I think I am just going to have to play his game, do what he wants during lesson time and do what __ I __ need during my practice.
Thanks everyone for helping.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 2001-08-05 02:49
There are some people who will need a neckstrap even if their hand position is perfect. The thumb simply isn't intended to bear this type of loading. That so many clarinettists are able to get by without using them is a matter of luck.
If a neckstrap is good enough for Ricardo Morales, principal clarinet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, it should be good enough for any one.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
