red spot on my finger

flute_forever · Post by **flute_forever** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:24 pm

why do I get a red spot on my left hand index finger when I practice?

flutepicc06 · Post by **flutepicc06** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 3:06 pm

Most likely it's just from holding the flute for an extended period of time. If you only practice in short sessions, it could mean that you're pushing the flute down into your hand at the joint of the first finger and the palm, in which case I would have the flute checked for leaks (leaking flutes often cause us to press harder to compensate), and then focus consciously on releasing some of the tension that you're using. It may be that some small changes to hand position will do the trick. Some people develop calluses where the fltue rests, and if you do so, the redness wn't be an issue. I've never gotten a callus myself, despite many, many hours (sometimes as much as 10) of playing each day. In any case, the redness should disappear shortly after you put your flute away, and is not a problem in itself, but what it could indicate might be.

remnantpark · Post by **remnantpark** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 6:43 pm

Thanks, I also have a problem with that too.

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:56 pm

This is normal. go on james galway's webpage, [galwaynetwork.com I think] or his online message board. [Flute chat or something like that.... it is a yahoo group] and on there, there is a picture of Sir James's hand after about 1 hour of playing. There is the red patch that you describe, and he also has little red rings on the pads of his fingers....

Needless to say, he pushes down quite hard....

So, this is normal.

finallyflute-ing · Post by **finallyflute-ing** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:57 pm

Yup, I get one of those for a bit after playing, but it goes away.
The only semi-permanant thing I've noticed is that that particular patch of skin is more sensitive now.

concertino · Post by **concertino** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 12:19 pm

None of the things listed have helped my problem, and my teacher says I have near perfect hand position. I just don't understand. And it goes through phases where it hardly turns red at all and then goes back to being red again. Has anyone had this problem and figured out how to fix it?
(It's definitely not my flute --a brand new Brannen).

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 1:11 pm

You can try having less tension in your left hand. If you are playing a new Brannen [very nice by the way

] then you shouldn't be compensating for leaks if it is set up properly. I get this 'red spot' all of the time. It is normal.

One thing you can do, is to put moleskin on your flute [it doesnt harm the finish at all- I have some on my new Miyazawa]. It will act as a cushion, and will help you grip the flute so you wont have to squeeze so much.

Otherwise, don't worry about it.

When James Galway plays for about an hour, he has the red spot, plus little red rings on his fingertips from the holes in his keys.

This 'red spot' is normal. If it worries you, then go to the doctor and have them look at it.

concertino · Post by **concertino** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 12:53 pm

okay. Thanks, fluteguy, you're always so helpful!

fluteguy18 · Post by **fluteguy18** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 2:51 pm

no problem!

Also, on a side note, is that a callus does develop, but not in the usual sense that you think of a callus. The skin there will retain it's smoothness, but beneath the surface, the skin becomes more tough. Much like the calluses that harpists get, and the calluses you get from writing with a pencil at school. So, while it wont look like a callus, it is one.

Otherwise, enjoy your Brannen!

kflutist · Post by **kflutist** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 6:20 pm

Yeah, don't worry about the callus. I hold a pen/pencil funny so I have one on my left ring finger. When it was developling it would occasionially peel. If that happens put some neosporin on it and a good bandaid. Now you can hardly tell that mine's there. Don't worry a bit.