Bruise?!?!

[JustBreathe]

I just started playing again. I don't remember feeling bruised at the base of my left first finger when I played years ago. Is this normal? Am I doing something wrong?

[flutepicc06]

I can't say I remember ever developing a bruise there either. Are you sure it's because of the flute, and not something else? If it's definitely the flute, most likely you are tensing your left hand (and maybe using some pressure from your right hand too) in such a way as to force the flute against the base of the finger. Try to relax your hands. You should be using only a minimum of pressure to hold the flute and close the keys. If you are having to push to get the notes out, likely there are leaks, and a visit to the local repair tech is in order. Getting any leaks fixed should mean you need less pressure to get the pads to seal, and might help your bruising.

[fluteguy18]

yeah, there should be very little, or no tension in your hands. And certainly not enough to get a bruise. Can you actually see a bruise, or does it just hurt like one? I would understand a little aching in the muscles if you have been practicing a lot lately ( seeing as how you just re-started). But, this wouldn't cause a bruise.

Hmmmm. yeah, I agree with having it looked at too (the flute) if you really have to push.

[JustBreathe]

Can you actually see a bruise, or does it just hurt like one?

I can't really see a bruise. I get the bruise feeling when I first pick up my flute to play. It is right on the far left edge of my hand/finger joint (when looking at my left palm)....it is a little boney right there. Once I'm going, I don't notice it, but the intial touch by the flute is a little stinger.

[flutepicc06]

Well, the flute holding position isn't the most natural thing in the world, so very likely (since there's no visible bruise), the muscles in your hand are just a bit sore from starting up on the flute again. I wouldn't worry about it too much in less it doesn't get better. You might also consider practicing less, but more often in an attempt to prevent the tenderness.

[angiepea]

i've been doing a lot more playing recently and my finger hurts in the same spot like yours. i've put it down to being a little tense but more likely the extra playing, therefore i now do 20 minute sessions and rest for 5 minutes, concentrating on relaxation in those 5 minutes (cos my left shoulder is giving me jip too !!) :0

[Meredith]

FWIW, I used to have a bruise in the spot I think you're talking about--base of the first finger, on the part of the flesh that's in contact with your thumb when your fingers are held together. It took me nearly two years of not playling the flute <i>at all</i> before that nasty thing went away.

I think it comes from either how you hold the flute, or, how long you're spending holding the flute. I practiced for many hours a day at that point in my life, and also was not known for the world's greatest finger positioning, so I'd imagine that either's a likely culprit.

If the bruise doesn't bother you (either physically in terms of pain, or mentally in terms of aesthetics) I'd say just play through it, and your body should adapt once you get back into the swing of practicing again.

Also, if you're friends with any occupational/physical therapists, they may be able to give you some pointers.

[Band_twink_14]

I get the bruise you are talking about every once in a while, but it usually goes away after an hour or so. It's more red then an actual mark.

[Meredith]

Mine was an actual indentation in the skin, in addition to the red coloration.

My other battle scars included an indentation in my right thumb, as well as disfiguration in my finger tips (i.e., they were crooked and not evenly rounded). But, as I said, I was never known for fabulous positioning.

[monikar]

I read an article about something similar to this, so best to get it looked at. It could be the start of something bad, always best to be safe than sorry.
Check out the article at: http://www.angelfire.com/folk/ajflute/injurytips.html

I found it to be a very informative article and site. I found this article, and the lady's site, through a google search since I am just starting to learn the flute. I had decided to see what was available online pertaining to tips and tricks.

It does sound like you may be getting some tendonitis in that spot. Be careful, reduce your play time, and get it checked out be a doctor as soon as you can. It might be the difference between just backing off on practices and going through months of therapy, like in the article.

Monika

[flutepicc06]

Monika, I've run across that site before, and while parts of it are very informative, others are not quite correct or have some important omissions. I would take anything from that site (just like any other) with a grain of salt.

[cflutist]

I had a ganglion cyst removed from my left index finger where it makes contact with the flute. That coupled with the cortisone shots left me with a divot there. I normally wrap my finger with 3M tape (at least it is flesh colored) so I can play.

BTW, hand surgery is much more painful than it looks because there are a lot of nerves there. I've had surgery on other parts of my body that were a piece of cake compared to this. It took months before I could play my flute again.

[nashvilleflute]

I've noticed students having the indentation on the Lhand first finger joint base, where you're talking about when they're pressing the flute too hard up against their chin, or because they're not allowing the Lhand first finger to get far enough up underneath the flute - I tell my students to think of it as a "shelf" that the flute sits on... Could that help???