tension

concertino · Post by **concertino** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 4:10 pm

I have been having some trouble with squeezing too hard with my left index finger. When I am done practicing, it turns red and painful.
People have suggested for me to try the Bo pep thing, but I tried their right thumb rest, and found it very useless. Besides, they scratch the silver on my flute. What else can I do? Professionals usually have calluses on the index finger. How can I get a callus instead of a bruise-like thing? I am worried about messing up my hand.

Thanks

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 4:47 pm

There are other similar items to the BoPep, but I agree with you that they are not very useful. Others swear by them, though, so to each their own. Anyway, one thing that might be forcing you to squeeze extra hard is a leak in that pad, which requires extra force to seal. I would ask a tech to check this for you, and see if that might be the problem. If that's not the issue, you should consult a teacher who does Alexander technique. It may be that something about the way you are holding the instrument is causing that tension, and changing a few things could help reduce the stress. Excess stress can lead to carpal tunnel or RSI's which may end your flute playing permanently, so this is something that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. As for developing calluses, these come with time, and the flute rubbing over the skin. Calluses won't protect your hands from injury in any case, though they may make it slightly more comfortable to hold your flute. Keep practicing, and you'll probably start developing a callus.

remnantpark · Post by **remnantpark** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 4:48 pm

Hey, I have that same problem too. But sometimes, the tension goes away. But it comes back once in a while. My teacher said to just hold the flute lighter instead of just gripping it really hard. I have no clue either though...

remnantpark · Post by **remnantpark** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 4:51 pm

Would callus affect playing on the piano? (Sorry, I'm just worried losing good hand position on the piano from bad hand position on the flute)

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 4:55 pm

remnantpark wrote: Would callus affect playing on the piano? (Sorry, I'm just worried losing good hand position on the piano from bad hand position on the flute)

Calluses shouldn't affect your ability to do anything else. They're just areas of toughened skin, and I can't imagine any way they would inhibit piano playing.

remnantpark · Post by **remnantpark** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 5:01 pm

Thank you, I know it's a bit of a 'weird' question...

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 7:33 pm

Well, I agree with flutepicc's suggestion, but also consider other methods of treatment for the problem. At http://www.larrykrantz.com/ There is a page/ link that has dozens of articles about tension and other forms of injury, and how to cure it. These cures go from having your flute altered, to doctors, to going out and buy Dr. Schol's sort of pads. I definately reccommend going and reading these. I had a somewhat similiar problem in high school.

Because I had started playing when I was little, I started with good hand position. As I grew, my flute did not, and my hand postioning became horrid. I eventually started having pain in my right hand that would go from my pinkie, down to and across my wrist, and down my right arm. 1/2 of playing caused about 4-5 hours of pain. So, I told my teacher, and she repositioned my hands, and we started learning from the ground up [ half notes, etc.] to make the new positioning permanent. Now, my technique has become 100x better and I have no pain whatsoever.

Everynow and then I get a twinge, but then I realize that I need to take a break, but that is only because I have spent far too long practicing [if there is such a thing

]

So, try that webpage. Besides those articles, there are a lot of very interesting things on there: x-rays of people playing, robotic flutists, etc.

remnantpark · Post by **remnantpark** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 9:44 pm

Cool...Sometimes, I noticed that my hands may start to feel a little numb. Could that be caused by tension, too?

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 9:58 pm

It could be a sign of tension...It's really quite difficult to know without being able to see you in action. If you're concerned, have a talk with your teacher.

concertino · Post by **concertino** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 4:40 pm

I think that the problem is that the key has a major leak in it. If I don't put any pressure on it, then it gets a thin and horrible sound.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 9:33 pm

That definitely sounds like a leak. You should be able to play with just enough finger pressure to overcome the spring, without having to push harder to get the pad to seal. A visit to a tech sounds like it's in order.

shortandsilly · Post by **shortandsilly** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:57 am

sir james galway talks about this briefly in one of the recordings on his website.. you are right, it is due to tension..but he also says it has something to do with the level of control on the flute. a looser more relaxed position has less control i think. as for the callus, it will come with time. i have one and it is the ugliest thing in the world but i can't imagine the pain i would have otherwise. i think it is perfectly normal.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 12:16 pm

Yes, not having a callous { sorry about spelling, but I tried for about 5 minutes

] is not fun. I recently purchased a new piccolo, and the exterior is slightly different [bigger] from the one I was using before [ plastic to wood]. So, the piccolo sits differently in my hands, and I am having to toughen up a new portion of my hand.

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 12:54 pm

I don't have much in the way of a callus, and I don't experience pain. I would say that the hold you have on the flute, as well as hand size, size of the tube, key height, and any number of other variables play into whether you actually need a callus at to avoid pain. Personally, I would be concerned if it hurt to play without a callus.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:24 pm

With me, it is just adjusting to having the ring around the end of the bulb. My other picc doesnt have that ring, so, despite having been playing it for several months now, it is still sometimes annoying and uncomfortable. Today it didnt bother me at all. Some days it is really a pain, but most days it is fine.