Hand Pain

[jme]

Hello All
Just to start with, a quick thanks for many useful comments and resources on this forum and website.
My question concerns pains in my hands and wrists. I have done a search on the forum for this and found this useful topic regarding the Hanon exercises:

http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-forums/vi ... f=7&t=6324

I am a 41 year old male and I am a complete beginner and have only been playing the piano for a week or so. I am using a digital Yamaha YDP140. I have a copy of Kenneth Baker's book 1 and have tried to make sure my position, posture and hand/wrist position is correct as per page 1. I have however started with pain in my fingers and wrists. I was just wondering if this was normal for a beginner. I think I read somewhere that as a beginner you should limit yourself to 30 minutes of practice. I think I may have forgotten about the time and been spending at least an hour or more each day. I think I may have also been a bit over zealous with the key pressing force, if that's possible. I am intending to get some lessons as soon as I possible just to make sure I'm on the right track. I also play guitar and I know how important it is to make sure you have good technique from the beginning so you don't get into bad habits - a bit like learning anything I suppose. Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

[chrisg]

Just wondering what you are doing in your "day job".If it is something using your hands and wrists - say resulting in RSI?

[jme]

Hi there, yes I'd thought about RSI but I'm not sure. For a day job I'm a web developer so using a keyboard and mouse all day but never really suffered from any hand pain until I was hit by car whilst on my bicycle a couple of years ago and injured both hands since when I have experienced peculiar pains on and off. I suspect it is this more than anything. I suppose I was just wondering if it is normal for people to experience some pain when they first start playing, thanks.

[chrisg]

Maybe it does have something to do with your work and your previous accident. It was so long ago when I started to learn the piano that I can't remember if my hands hurt. Perhaps they did. I was lucky as I started at age 7/8 and I've been playing now for almost 30 years so the bone structures in my hands have gotten used to the piano stretches etc.

[MDJ08]

Hi jme,

I've just started playing and i'm having the same problem so there is a good chance it is normal.

The fact that you have damaged your wrists or hands though may have brought on CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome). Google it and check the symptoms with your own. Nothing to really worry about if it is that, but you should definitly see your doctor about it because it could just end up causing you more problems down the line.

[jme]

Thanks to both of you for the useful info. I guess I'll just have to see how I get on and get it checked out with the doctor if needs be. It's a bit frustrating at the moment because I'm having to resist playing the piano to try and give my hands a rest - it's just so tempting when I walk past the spare room and see it sat there!

[DT611]

Thanks to both of you for the useful info. I guess I'll just have to see how I get on and get it checked out with the doctor if needs be. It's a bit frustrating at the moment because I'm having to resist playing the piano to try and give my hands a rest - it's just so tempting when I walk past the spare room and see it sat there!

I know how that feels. You might be really feeling sad whenever you see your piano, or if you hear a piano playing

Well, MDJ08 and chrisg are right, you really need to consult a specialist with regards to what you are feeling on your hands. A doctor could give you recommend you some medications that could somehow relieve the pain.

[yokewong]

It’s important to warm up before you start practicing, just like an athletic has to warm up before his/ her training. We tend to overlook the fact that our body has to be in tiptop condition before we can perform to our potential. I recommend that you make stretching as part of your warm up routine. Here are some of the stretching ideas; neck rotations, shoulder rotations, bending your hand back, touching your toes, etc. Stretching reduces muscle tension and help avoid injuries.

Having a teacher will help with proper techniques. It will also reduce the chance of getting injured. He or she will help correct any bad habits developed previously.

You should always stop and take a break when you start experiencing pain or discomfort. If pain persists, you should go see a specialist.

Yoke Wong
Take Your Piano Playing To The Next Level
http://www.pianomother.com