Advice on Sleepy Finger

[cmybliss]

Hello all you knowledgeable and helpful flutists,

I'm a complete beginner at the flute (a week in!) and am having an issue with the index finger on my left hand getting pins and needles. This doesn't surprise me, as the same thing happens to my right hand when I use my heavy dressmaking shears or the tiny kindergarten size scissors at work. My question to all of you is, is there some sort of pad I can get to put on my flute to cushion it so it doesn't press so hard at the base of that finger? I'm seriously loving learning this instrument and would hate to have to scale back my practice time (which is already limited) because I can't feel my finger.

Thanks in advance,

Anie

[Rossweisse]

I've not had a similar experience but wonder whether your flute has an off set or inline G key. People with smallish hands sometimes position their hands uncomfortably on inline keys or the flute is not a good fit (there are differences amongst flutes, some are comfy others not so much). Just a WAG but maybe you can make small changes in hand and/or wrist position? Another idea is just one lesson to check out what you are doing and make corrections before you develop habits.

In general, if there is pain or numbness or odd sensations, stop what you are doing immediately. To do otherwise may make things worse.

[cmybliss]

I've not had a similar experience but wonder whether your flute has an off set or inline G key. People with smallish hands sometimes position their hands uncomfortably on inline keys or the flute is not a good fit (there are differences amongst flutes, some are comfy others not so much). Just a WAG but maybe you can make small changes in hand and/or wrist position? Another idea is just one lesson to check out what you are doing and make corrections before you develop habits.

In general, if there is pain or numbness or odd sensations, stop what you are doing immediately. To do otherwise may make things worse.

Thanks for your reply. My flute has an offset G, and I'd say my fingers are fairly long. I think I'll play around with changing my hand/wrist position tomorrow.

I'd love to take a lesson or two, but with my busy schedule, (work and shuttling my daughter to and from school/lessons) I just don't have time right now. Maybe this summer......

Thank you again

Anie

[saxhorn]

Something you might try is to add some material to your left index finger key...{the c key}
I have large hands and noticed that my left index finger did not want to keep the key pressed down.
{i use a real light touch!} I added a sax key pearl{glued it to my c key }and voila the extra material helps me keep the key down with the most minimum effort.

[cmybliss]

Thank you all again for your very helpful advice! I have changed the alignment of my flute. I'm now using the Rockstro method and find I am having less problems with my sleepy finger. I did consult with a flute playing friend of mine, and my Dr., regarding this problem. My Dr. said I have nerves that run unusually close to the surface of my fingers, so they are more prone to be smooshed and causing the tingling. My friend suggested the Bo Pep finger saddle. Supposedly its will help distribute the weight of the flute more evenly across my finger. I've got one on order with my local music shop. It's cheep enough that if it doesn't work I won't be too disappointed. I'll let you guys know how it works out.
Saxhorn, the idea of adding something to my flute is intriguing, but as a complete flute noob, I'm terrified of making such an alteration myself! What if I glue something shut?! Yikes. Do you know if repair guys will do this? Is it reversible?

Thanks again,
Anie

[Rossweisse]

No worries, Cmybliss, use the least possible amount of glue, apply it to the pearl not the key, be sure to not get any on pads, and you will be fine. My teacher glued a tiny piece of sandpaper to my oboe and, once my finger placement improved, took it off without incident. If you are apprehensive, maybe see if double sided tape is strong enough to hold a sax pearl in place?

[cmybliss]

No worries, Cmybliss, use the least possible amount of glue, apply it to the pearl not the key, be sure to not get any on pads, and you will be fine. My teacher glued a tiny piece of sandpaper to my oboe and, once my finger placement improved, took it off without incident. If you are apprehensive, maybe see if double sided tape is strong enough to hold a sax pearl in place?

Oooh, sticky tape! Great suggestion. I'll have to see if I can find a sax pearl and give it a go.

[saxhorn]

Yes, try it with some tape first to see if you like it.
I also use the Bo pep finger LH rest as well.
Good Luck!

[cmybliss]

Yes, try it with some tape first to see if you like it.
I also use the Bo pep finger LH rest as well.
Good Luck!

I'll give it a shot.
Do you find that the Bo pep helps in distributing the weight? Mine hasn't come in yet. I was looking through Jennifer Cluff's website and saw that she uses those squishy pencil grips slit down one side and stuck on with that blue sticky putty you use to hang psters and what not. I might give that a shot as well.

Thanks again,
Anie

[Bo]

You could also try some hand gymnastics away from the flute, just to strengthen your hands. When I first started the piano I used this http://theptstore.com/index.php?main_pa ... a6t42hjui3 to strengthen my left hand, also away from the piano, and it worked!