 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Lanie
Date: 2013-10-09 00:13
I am a senior in high school and I play the clarinet. I am going to Sam Houston State in the fall for a Music Ed. degree. I have been practicing much more this year than I have in the past. I have always practiced a lot, but not to this degree. I eat and sleep music practically. Anyways, I started having wrist pain about two weeks ago. I didn't tell anyone until last Friday when I tried to practice before our football game and I couldn't hold my horn. I played for maybe 15-20 minutes and I almost started crying because it hurt so much. I told my director and he told me not to play for a while. I didn't play that night or Saturday. I practiced Sunday night even though it hurt a lot. I shouldn't have though. It hurts more now than it did before. It hurts when I write, text, sleep (it's waking me up at night) and when I'm not even using it. I don't know what I did to it. I have Region Orchestra tryouts in 20 days and I can't even hold my clarinet. I was first chair (4A band) at Region Band last year and I really wanted to make the 5A Orchestra this year. Do I still have a chance? And can someone tell me what is wrong with my wrist- I can feel the pain all the way up to my elbow.
Oh, and I'm not just practicing the All-State etudes, I'm also working on my college audition music. Thanks in advance:)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-10-09 00:31
Lanie wrote:
> ...And can someone
> tell me what is wrong with my wrist- I can feel the pain all
> the way up to my elbow.
>
An orthopedist could diagnose it for you, or your family doctor, and I would recommend you go to see your family doctor right away. He or she may recognize the problem and be able to treat it or can send you to an orthopedic specialist. It could be any of several things - almost certainly caused by repetitive use/overuse. The cure could be anything from rest and soaks to some kind of anti-inflammatory medication.
Your best bet until you can have it diagnosed properly is to rest the hand and arm. That may be hard to do under your circumstances, which is why you should get medical attention ASAP. A brace on your wrist might help, but I wouldn't rely on self-treatment with so much riding on your getting back to playing comfortably.
Once things are under control, you need to consider possible changes in your hand position or your practice habits or both to prevent its happening again. You didn't say which wrist. I imagine we're all assuming it's your right wrist.
Karl
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Author: MSK
Date: 2013-10-09 01:03
I'm a PT by profession and a clarinetist by avocation. I strongly second Karl's advice to get medical help ASAP and to rest until then. Repetitive motion injuries hard to treat if allowed to go on very long, but generally clear up well if caught early. I strongly recommend that you get to an orthopedist (even a hand specialist if available) quickly. Don't rely on your primary care for anything beyond a referral and maybe some meds to tide you over. This really isn't what PCP does best. Your PCP may be an excellent resource in finding the right orthopedist though. By the way, if you get referred for PT try to find a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). They can be either PTs or OTs.
Once you get things calmed down have someone look closely at your technique to help you correct your form in order to prevent a recurrence.
Your need to take this seriously. The director of my community orchestra used to be a professional in a major national symphony but switched jobs due to repetitive motion injuries from playing his instrument.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-10-09 01:22
Overuse injuries don't get better from relatively short rests. If you try to play through the pain, it just gets worse.
It's urgent that you find to a physical therapist, very preferably one who has experience treating wind players. The solution may be as simple as changing your hand position or moving the thumb rest. PT got rid of my pain quickly.
Use a neck strap. Ricardo Morales in the Philadelphia Orchestra and Mark Nuccio in the New York Philharmonic use them 100% of the time. So can you.
For the time being, rest the bell on your knee, or between your knees, and move your right thumb above the rest to get the weight off of it.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Lanie
Date: 2013-10-09 01:36
It is my right wrist. I am in marching band, so I have been holding my horn in carry (in my left hand) for the past few days. Also, I will try the holding it on my knee idea. I usually play standing up because I feel I get better air support that way, but playing sitting down is better than not playing at all. I thought about a neck strap. I asked my director and he looked at me like I was crazy... I don't want people to think I'm stupid because I use a neck strap for a clarinet.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2013-10-09 03:08
You might also try a sports injury specialist. I went to a PT duo (massage therapist and chiro) who also work on and travel with an NFL team, for various issues.
The typical specialist's goal is to get you to walk, climb stairs, play a musical instrument without pain, or with a tolerable level. These guys, in contrast, have to keep people in good enough condition to handle a tackle from a 350lb linebacker. They cleaned me up better than anyone I'd seen for any issue in the preceding several years, by a large margin. They generally wouldn't even work in the area that was bothering me. Mid back? They worked on my glutes. "Do you want us to make it stop hurting for an hour, or do you want to actually solve the problem?" was the question.
Sometimes wrist pain is due to something in the wrist, sometimes it's referred from a trigger point in the brachialis or elsewhere (you ARE holding a light isometric hammer curl for a couple hours a day. it adds up). Find someone sensitive to body mechanics who can properly suss it out. IMHO, anyone who works on high-level athletes, with good recommendations, should be at the top of your list.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2013-10-09 03:10
Don't see your GP - see an Orthopedic specialist first. You could get an injection that could nip this thing in the bud.
A GP will initially waste your time with anti inflamitories, or send you to a physical therapist before it is time.
The Ortho will be able to help you the quickest with a shot if he deems it necessary.
You might end up not being able to play for a while.
When you do, get a Clarinet Neckstrap to reduct strain on your hands, and work with a teacher on hand and arm relaxation. There are specialists in that as well.
I write from a LOT of experience with this.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: little red hood
Date: 2013-10-09 03:50
Where exactly is the site of pain? Besides pain, do you get any swelling or redness around the area with pain?
Seven years ago, I got swelling and pain over the extensor tendon of my left thumb (that is at the wrist) due to overuse with typing. The position of pain is quite similar to what I have with my right hand if I practise the clarinet for very long time. At that time I took anti-inflammatory drugs regularly and put on a brace for a month without any improvement. In the end my friend, who is an orthopedic surgeon specialised in hand surgery, gave me steroid injection and the problem was gone within few days. The pain did have mild recurrence once or twice over these years, but it subsided spontaneously.
Mind you there is risk with use of steroid injection. The worst situation is tendon rupture. There may also be hypopigmentation of the skin over the injection area. Try to get a good hand surgery specialist to do the injection for you.
And before you seek medical advice, stop playing or your problem will just get worse.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-10-09 07:33
DavidBlumberg wrote:
> Don't see your GP - see an Orthopedic specialist first. You
> could get an injection that could nip this thing in the bud.
>
Depending on his (his parents') insurance, he may need to go through his GP to get a referral.
Karl
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2013-10-09 10:30
"I asked my director and he looked at me like I was crazy... I don't want people to think I'm stupid because I use a neck strap for a clarinet."
This says a lot about your music director. Ignore him, he's an idiot. Your prognosis without a strap isn't good, so get a strap and get used to it, but in the short term your best course is to find a good PT who knows about musicians problems. Supporting it on your knee is good advice.
Tony F.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2013-10-09 12:46
Remember that while you're resting (i.e. NOT PLAYING) you can still practice by listening to the material you're prepping. You can sing sections to work on phrasing. You can imagine how you want the pieces to sound and take notes. You can listen to as many different recordings of each as you can find.
Take the time to practice away from the instrument anyway even when you're healthy.
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2013-10-09 13:36
I agree with the other suggestions--try a neckstrap (there's no shame in using one), rest the bell on your knee, practice away from the instrument and sing,
and get medical advice.
One thing nobody mentioned is texting. There are some who can't make it through the day without doing it constantly, but texting can take a terrible toll on your hands and wrists. I know it might be hard, but stop doing it for a few days and it might help. I'm an oldtimer and seldom text, so you can do what I do and make a phone call instead.
If you play video games, stop those as well. As little red hood mentioned, overdoing it with typing/keyboarding can also cause problems.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-10-09 14:03
Lanie -
Show this to your band director http://curiousclarinetist.blogspot.com/2011/01/moba.html. It's Ricardo Morales, principal clarinet in the Philadelphia Orchestra. By the way, he plays Backun clarinets, which are much lighter than Buffets.
I've seen him play live many times, and he always uses a neck strap. If he can, you can.
Ken Shaw
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2013-10-09 14:13
Backun's do not weigh any less.
I've held Ricardo's Clarinet numerous times.
They are at least as heavy as Buffets.
A wrist, hand injury can be a career ender for some. Protect your injury, and ignore your clueless Band Director. You can bet he's a Brass player or Percussionist.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: wesrice
Date: 2013-10-09 15:52
After a cursory read through the post, I didn't see any suggestions for a particular neck strap. As far as I know, BG is the only company that makes an elastic neck strap. This is beneficial because it provides upward pressure into the mouth. As unbelievable as it sounds, I get better sound with a neck strap than without. I would highly recommend this particular brand over others.
You will definitely want to consider relocating your thumb rest as well. I don't want this to come out as being commercial, but I've had several people come to me with hand/wrist issues that were alleviated by relocating the thumb rest. Take your clarinet in with you when you see the specialist. Determine the ideal position for your thumb with a piece of tape, and have your technician relocate your thumb rest.
An adjustable thumb rest is beneficial too, as you can fine tune the position after relocation. The buffet adjustable thumb rest only allows a few distinct positions. I've milled out the notches before to allow infinite adjustment of the thumb rest height.
Good Luck
Wes
www.Clarinet-Repairs.com
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2013-10-09 17:56
Claricord also makes an elastic neck strap and they're great too. You don't need a place to hook it. It has a flat leather strip through which you put the thumb rest.
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Author: Musickim1022
Date: 2013-10-09 18:03
Please, please, PLEASE! You must go see a doctor soon, especially if the pain is up to your elbow. Believe me, I ignored the first signs of my injury, pushing it my right arm even harder. That is the worst thing you can do to yourself, because pain is your body's way of saying that something is not right. Because of my ignorance, I now have nerve damage and occasional flare-ups of tendinitis to contend with. I have been playing the clarinet for over 8 years, studying music performance and education in college. So, no matter what level you're at, injuries can happen to everyone. What it comes down to is owning up to it, and go see the doctor. No one is going to understand your injuries better than you, and a doctor can't help what you don't tell them. You are NOT weak, you just need to re-adjust some things. And there's nothing wrong with a neck strap, it takes the pressure off your right arm, which can be such a relief. I especially like one person's suggestion for propping. Taking short breaks when practicing can help too, just let everything relax back into place. Just, please, if there is one thing I can ask you to do, just take it slow and listen to your body.
Wishing you all the best, and please feel better.
MK
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-10-09 20:20
David, Ken and others, re: neckstraps:
I've experimented with them and the one thing I've found to be a real headache is making instrument changes (e.g. between A and Bb). For that matter I have the same issue with sax neckstraps. It adds enough time to the instrument change (unhooking from the old instrument and lining up the hook and receiver or that slotted strip on the Claricord straps on the new instrument) that some of those quick changes in Mahler and Dvorak are just too dangerous. I've never really paid attention to what Morales (whom I watch regularly in the Philadelphia Orchestra) does in those situations. How do you manage this problem in the real world? Do you just get better at it with practice, or do you play without the strap when a quick change is coming up?
Of course, it isn't an issue for band clarinetists who only play a Bb clarinet.
Karl
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Author: Lanie
Date: 2013-10-10 00:19
I don't think I will be able to go to the doctor. I can't write with my right hand anymore though because it hurts too much. I have 19 days till Orchestra. Will I be able to play by then?
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Author: AAAClarinet
Date: 2013-10-10 00:40
If necessary maybe a free clinic can refer you. Please try to be seen by a qualified Dr.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2013-10-10 00:41
Lanie, you don't really have a choice.
Your wrist absolutely will not get better in the next Month unless you get an injection, if that is what the Doc. deems.
Wrist pain is nothing to pretend it doesn't exist, as it will take you down before it heals. A Specialist can get you well quicker than a GP, though as Karl wrote, you may need a referral.
Cortisone is not used that much, as there are better meds to inject with.
I've had them in my wrists, fingers, Elbows, and Shoulders - not a single one hurt at all.
Mine were completely non playing related.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
Post Edited (2013-10-10 00:46)
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-10-10 10:33
Lanie -
Double what David Blumberg says. Suppose you were run over by a bus. You'd take at least one sick day, right? This threatens your career. Go to your doctor today!
Write with a #2 pencil or a gel ballpoint pen. Lay it between your index and middle fingers or even between your middle and ring fingers. Bunch your fingertips together as though you were taking a pinch of salt. Let the pencil or pen press on the paper by the weight of your hand. Then write by moving your forearm from the elbow.
Ken Shaw
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Author: GeorgeL ★2017
Date: 2013-10-10 15:31
Lanie writes: "I am a senior in high school and I play the clarinet."
"I don't think I will be able to go to the doctor."
If you are living with either of your parents or some other person with legal responsibility for you, do they know about this wrist problem? If not, TELL THEM.
If your parent or guardian is the reason you cannot see a doctor, and you would like to see a doctor (which people whose advice you sought say is the only way you will get better), you should be seeing either a legal aid lawyer or discussing this matter with a counselor at your school. You have rights when it comes to your health.
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Author: gsurosey
Date: 2013-10-10 17:18
This sounds similar to something that I went through when I was early in undergrad (pain from my wrist all the way up to my elbow). Tendonitis was the diagnosis. For now, I recommend rest, ice, and anti-inflammatories (Advil, etc) until you can see a doctor.
Do as little as possible for the next couple weeks and see how your wrist responds. You don't want to risk permanent damage. Besides, if you're well-prepared for the audition, losing practice time now may not hurt and it could actually be helpful. Think of it as tapering for a marathon.
When I play now, I wear Hand-Eze gloves on both hands (I think they're marketed for people that do repetitive crafty stuff like knitting, etc). They provide a small amount of support to my wrists and they don't get in the way of playing. The one on the left is because I have a ganglion cyst in my wrist (it was injected over a year ago with no change, and it's not bad enough for me to risk letting someone cut it out). Trial and error and medical people can help you figure out what is right for you.
Good luck, and let us know how everything turns out.
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Rachel
Clarinet Stash:
Bb/A: Buffet R13
Eb: Bundy
Bass: Royal Global Max
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-10-10 20:25
gsurosey wrote:
> When I play now, I wear Hand-Eze gloves on both hands
Are your fingers covered when you use these?
Karl
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Author: gsurosey
Date: 2013-10-10 22:16
Nope. They go as far as the large knuckles, so my finger movement is totally free. The ones I have also have the extra wrap-around that goes around the wrist and can be adjusted.
This link shows a picture (feel free to delete this part if it isn't allowed). They aren't black in the picture like the description says (the ones I have are black; gotta match concert dress ya know).
http://www.domeproductsonline.com/handeze-flex-fit-glove-single-black-size-6/
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Rachel
Clarinet Stash:
Bb/A: Buffet R13
Eb: Bundy
Bass: Royal Global Max
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Author: Lanie
Date: 2013-11-12 15:23
I did end up going to a hand specialist. He told me I had tendonitis. I went to orchestra auditions on the 28th. I got 19 out of 55. I'm content with that result. The other people in my section from my school got 37 and 40. They were able to play though (I hadn't played in over three weeks) and they take lessons. I haven't been taking lessons since July. So, with all of those factors weighing against me I still did fairly okay. Also, I did get a neck strap and I used it for the first time at my orchestra auditions. Thanks for all of the help you all provided for me!
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2013-11-12 18:05
Thank you for reporting back that you went to the doctor. Truly it's important to take care of your body so that you can continue to make music.
And congratulations on your audition result!
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