Right hand tenseness

Claiken · Post by **Claiken** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:19 pm

i have recently been experiencing tenseness in my right hand, only sometimes, when ive been practising for a while. is this normal? or, is this avoidable?

MeLizzard · Post by **MeLizzard** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:48 pm

Tension should be avoided if at all possible. Check your posture and hand and arm position to see what's happening. Also, are you unusually stressed over a piece you're playing? Sometimes, when we're not consciously anxious over preparing a certain piece, our brain sends out the message in other ways.

fluttiegurl · Post by **fluttiegurl** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 3:43 pm

Just a long shot, but check your flute for leaks as well. I have seen players who use a great deal of tension when their flutes are in need of minor adjusting. I think it is a subconscious way to compensate for a leak that you don't realize is there. I have also done this in the past.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:21 pm

I would check your hand position. I had a similiar problem although mine included my joints locking up, and severe pain. Proper hand position can be tested like this.

hold your flute up, and start playing. Then, stop. Dont move your hands at all. Turn your head to look at your right hand, and it should look like a perfect backwards C.

Zevang · Post by **Zevang** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 2:38 pm

Body stretching is part of a healthy warming up.
Do it before practice, giving special attention to your hands and arms.
Remember, playing any musical instrument requires that you perform just like an athlete. So, your preparation must be done according to it.

Zevang

nashvilleflute · Post by **nashvilleflute** » Sun Nov 12, 2006 11:07 pm

Good comment about the "C" shape in your RH, fluteguy18 - never heard that one before...make sure that you don't play with tension - I developed a ganglion cyst in my right wrist in HS because of too much tension in my right hand/arm. All of the muscles are connected. Do some studying of Alexander Technique to help relax you. Also doing stretches makes a big difference. Hold your R arm straight out in front of you, let your hand drop and pull your R fingers down & toward you with the other hand. Hold for a few seconds...then release & flip your R hand over & pull your fingers back down toward you again. You should feel a lot of tension release from your hands/arms.
Also, fit the flute into your hand. Let me explain:
Shake out your Rhand - really shake it! and then let it hang. Now, study the natural resting position of your hand as gravity pulls your fingers down. Look at the relationship of your Rhand thumb to the other fingers (lots of players really get their thumb resting position on the flute improperly to the rest of their hand and this messes everything up with your Rhand). Now put your flute into your hand, slightly curve your fingers & there's your natural playing position. Your finger tips should not really hand off of the keys at all & your fingers should be curved slightly (depending on the length of your fingers) Relax!!! with breathing, holding position, neck, etc. & check out some Alexander Technique!
Happy fluting!