I'll be glad to add the practice tips section later tonight or tomorrow. I think that's a pretty important topic to hit on. Perhaps we should set a deadline (maybe within the next week or two?), and then, whatever state the FAQ's in is the state we stickify it in.Phineas wrote:Chris
I was hoping there would be more contributions, but the well is dry right now. Someone suggested a section on practice tips, and preventing injury. I would go ahead and write something, but have just been swamped altelyh with the new job. If nothing else is added, then I will do one last spell and grammer check, and its a sticky!
Tell me what you think.
Phineas
Flute FAQ 1.1
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
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flutepicc06
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Last edited by flutepicc06 on Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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fluteguy18
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And since I seem to be one of the people on here that has had the most expieriance with injury [ maybe I am wrong, so I would gladly compile a section with a few other people on this subject].
If I may have the honor of at least starting this section, I will work on it tomorrow [it is rather late here and I would like to get to bed].
If I may have the honor of at least starting this section, I will work on it tomorrow [it is rather late here and I would like to get to bed].
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musical_Kat
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- Location: West Palm Beach, FL
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I've had surgery on both hands myself so I have some experience in this area as well. If you would like my input as well i'd be happy to help.fluteguy18 wrote:And since I seem to be one of the people on here that has had the most expieriance with injury [ maybe I am wrong, so I would gladly compile a section with a few other people on this subject].
If I may have the honor of at least starting this section, I will work on it tomorrow [it is rather late here and I would like to get to bed].
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fluteguy18
- Posts: 2311
- Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 3:11 pm
Sorry I havent been able to finish that yet..... between homework, dead week, finals, moving back home, and traveling, I havent had time.
So... lets get started.... because I havent had to have surgery, and havent done the whole 'doctor' thing yet, Musical_Kat, you probably know more about the medical aspect of things. I have been lucky enough to sidestep medical procedures by way of doing extensive research on key extensions, Alexander Technique, hand positioning etc. etc.
So, we could divide this little section into two parts. You [Musical_Kat] could take the medical aspect [ailments, medical procedures, performance health medical centers etc. etc.] as Part One, and I could take preventitive measures such as hand positioning, key extensions, etc. etc.]
So, if that is fine with you Musical_Kat, we could start with a 'rough draft' and send it to each other, then put them together, and edit it. Just send me a PM to let me know.
So... lets get started.... because I havent had to have surgery, and havent done the whole 'doctor' thing yet, Musical_Kat, you probably know more about the medical aspect of things. I have been lucky enough to sidestep medical procedures by way of doing extensive research on key extensions, Alexander Technique, hand positioning etc. etc.
So, we could divide this little section into two parts. You [Musical_Kat] could take the medical aspect [ailments, medical procedures, performance health medical centers etc. etc.] as Part One, and I could take preventitive measures such as hand positioning, key extensions, etc. etc.]
So, if that is fine with you Musical_Kat, we could start with a 'rough draft' and send it to each other, then put them together, and edit it. Just send me a PM to let me know.
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CaperFlutist
- Posts: 18
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fluteguy18
- Posts: 2311
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I actually just got started on that section the other day.... but feel free to send me PM so I can put your stuff in there, then it will be a group effort on the section [rather than just one person]. 
So, because you have had surgeries [whereas I haven't] it would be great to send me info regarding the medical nature and solutions of injuries [and your personal experiances as well].
Hopefully I can have this part finished in a few days if multiple people are willing to send their info.
So, because you have had surgeries [whereas I haven't] it would be great to send me info regarding the medical nature and solutions of injuries [and your personal experiances as well].
Hopefully I can have this part finished in a few days if multiple people are willing to send their info.
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fluteguy18
- Posts: 2311
- Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 3:11 pm
SORRY this has taken forever to get up. Someone else probably could have done a much better job more quickly, but here is what I have.
If anyone wants to add more/ edit this for any inaccuracies, just copy and paste it, then edit away. It wont hurt my feelings at all.
Here is what I have.
OH, and btw, those of you who HAVE had medical procedures done, feel free to add to this. I am only in the beginning of the medical journey unfortunately, and was lucky enough to realize how prestigious my hand doctor is.... [I go to Klienert Kutz and associates, so I added it in at the end of this... not meaning to boast about injury *who would want to?*, but I figured someone might be curious as to who some of the leading hand physicians are].
here it is.....
Flute Health
When playing any instrument, the player is at risk of possible physical harm. Musical instruments rarely are held in a fashion that is completely normal to the human body. The Flute is no exception. When playing over the span of months or years, a player can develop many injuries due to poor hand positioning and posture while playing over a period of time. Studies show that of all wind instruments, flutists develop injuries the most frequently [ coming closely to the same figures of violinists and pianists]. These injuries are typically called Repetitive Stress Injuries.
These injuries vary from Tendonitis [a wearing away of the tendons in one’s limbs], to arthritis, all the way to Carpal Tunnel [the pinching of the nerves in one’s limbs]. Symptoms of injury can be anything from swelling and tenderness of your limbs, to stiffness in the neck/arms/hands, to numbness and tingling, to audible popping and cracking of your joints.
How do I know if I have an injury?
If you are feeling any discomfort while, or shortly after you play, you need to take into account that you may have developed an injury. If this is so, then you need to make an appointment with your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
What sort of treatments are there?
There are many ways to solve/alleviate the discomfort associated with repetitive strain injuries. Non invasive ways to solve problems deal with using various approaches of body alignment. The Alexander Method and Body Mapping are common methods to lessen pain and discomfort by individuals, and are particularly useful. These methods in the most basic sense instruct an individual how to align their body properly so they are not using excess strain/ causing themselves injury.
Another method is taking a break for a period of time. However, these periods of time can be as short as a few weeks to as long as several years, or complete retirement from playing your musical instrument.
One can also adapt their flute. Flutes are built in a fairly standard design. People however come in all shapes and sizes. Thus, different individuals will need different adaptations to their flute. These adaptations can be as cheap as 2 USD, or as expensive as a new handmade flute built to fit your hands. However, most modifications are not that pricey.
If you have large hands and your hands are cramping, you can purchase additions that will make the barrel of the flute feel larger in your hand. The most popular are the Bopep [a plastic piece that snaps onto the body of the flute to make it feel larger], the Thumbelina [a piece of cork glued to the back of the flute to act as a shelf for your thumb] and the Thumbport [a removable rubber item similar to the Thumbelina].
If you have small hands and you are straining to reach keys, you can purchase key extensions. The Brannen Brothers Flute Company sell sterling silver key extensions that fit most flutes.
If purchasing items to modify your flute is outside your budget, there are several ideas at the following website:
http://www.larrykrantz.com/cambiat2.htm
and
http://www.larrykrantz.com/alexaart.htm
If you have tried these methods, discomfort still persists, and your doctor recommends medical treatment, do not fret. There are many non-invasive methods of healing for many problems. Most would include taking specific vitamins, wearing arm/wrist braces, and using a therapy regimen of stretches and applying heat/cold to the affected area. Some procedures actually use injections of various medications, or even adult stem cells [not fetal] to help repair any damage.
Unfortunately, these may not be able to solve everything. Sometimes surgery is needed to solve the problem. It used to be believed that surgery was a death sentence to the practicing musician, but with modern medicins and technology, this is no longer so. However, surgery must be treated as a last resort.
I have to have surgery. How do I choose a surgeon?
If you are very serious about your flute career [amateur or pro], then take as much caution as you can in this area. Meet several surgeons, and look at their resumes. If possible, find a competant surgeon who specializes in ailments of the upper limbs. Try to go to the best in your area. If there is a medical center for the performing arts in your state, try to make an appoinment with them to get their suggestions.
If you are in a situation where you have the money to travel, and you play flute/piccolo for a living, then try taking a look at world class hand care centers. Currently, Kleinert Kutz and Associates located in Louisville Kentucky [with small branches in Indiana as well] are considered to be the world’s best hand care physicians. They were the first to perform successful FUNCTIONING hand transplants, and have held many other world firsts in hand/wrist surgery. However, unless you absolutely want the best, there are no problems with going to the many competant surgeons in your state/country.
For more information, many articles related to Flute Health can be found at:
http://www.larrykrantz.com
and
http://www.johnlunn.com/lunnflutes/ho.htm
If anyone wants to add more/ edit this for any inaccuracies, just copy and paste it, then edit away. It wont hurt my feelings at all.
Here is what I have.
OH, and btw, those of you who HAVE had medical procedures done, feel free to add to this. I am only in the beginning of the medical journey unfortunately, and was lucky enough to realize how prestigious my hand doctor is.... [I go to Klienert Kutz and associates, so I added it in at the end of this... not meaning to boast about injury *who would want to?*, but I figured someone might be curious as to who some of the leading hand physicians are].
here it is.....
Flute Health
When playing any instrument, the player is at risk of possible physical harm. Musical instruments rarely are held in a fashion that is completely normal to the human body. The Flute is no exception. When playing over the span of months or years, a player can develop many injuries due to poor hand positioning and posture while playing over a period of time. Studies show that of all wind instruments, flutists develop injuries the most frequently [ coming closely to the same figures of violinists and pianists]. These injuries are typically called Repetitive Stress Injuries.
These injuries vary from Tendonitis [a wearing away of the tendons in one’s limbs], to arthritis, all the way to Carpal Tunnel [the pinching of the nerves in one’s limbs]. Symptoms of injury can be anything from swelling and tenderness of your limbs, to stiffness in the neck/arms/hands, to numbness and tingling, to audible popping and cracking of your joints.
How do I know if I have an injury?
If you are feeling any discomfort while, or shortly after you play, you need to take into account that you may have developed an injury. If this is so, then you need to make an appointment with your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
What sort of treatments are there?
There are many ways to solve/alleviate the discomfort associated with repetitive strain injuries. Non invasive ways to solve problems deal with using various approaches of body alignment. The Alexander Method and Body Mapping are common methods to lessen pain and discomfort by individuals, and are particularly useful. These methods in the most basic sense instruct an individual how to align their body properly so they are not using excess strain/ causing themselves injury.
Another method is taking a break for a period of time. However, these periods of time can be as short as a few weeks to as long as several years, or complete retirement from playing your musical instrument.
One can also adapt their flute. Flutes are built in a fairly standard design. People however come in all shapes and sizes. Thus, different individuals will need different adaptations to their flute. These adaptations can be as cheap as 2 USD, or as expensive as a new handmade flute built to fit your hands. However, most modifications are not that pricey.
If you have large hands and your hands are cramping, you can purchase additions that will make the barrel of the flute feel larger in your hand. The most popular are the Bopep [a plastic piece that snaps onto the body of the flute to make it feel larger], the Thumbelina [a piece of cork glued to the back of the flute to act as a shelf for your thumb] and the Thumbport [a removable rubber item similar to the Thumbelina].
If you have small hands and you are straining to reach keys, you can purchase key extensions. The Brannen Brothers Flute Company sell sterling silver key extensions that fit most flutes.
If purchasing items to modify your flute is outside your budget, there are several ideas at the following website:
http://www.larrykrantz.com/cambiat2.htm
and
http://www.larrykrantz.com/alexaart.htm
If you have tried these methods, discomfort still persists, and your doctor recommends medical treatment, do not fret. There are many non-invasive methods of healing for many problems. Most would include taking specific vitamins, wearing arm/wrist braces, and using a therapy regimen of stretches and applying heat/cold to the affected area. Some procedures actually use injections of various medications, or even adult stem cells [not fetal] to help repair any damage.
Unfortunately, these may not be able to solve everything. Sometimes surgery is needed to solve the problem. It used to be believed that surgery was a death sentence to the practicing musician, but with modern medicins and technology, this is no longer so. However, surgery must be treated as a last resort.
I have to have surgery. How do I choose a surgeon?
If you are very serious about your flute career [amateur or pro], then take as much caution as you can in this area. Meet several surgeons, and look at their resumes. If possible, find a competant surgeon who specializes in ailments of the upper limbs. Try to go to the best in your area. If there is a medical center for the performing arts in your state, try to make an appoinment with them to get their suggestions.
If you are in a situation where you have the money to travel, and you play flute/piccolo for a living, then try taking a look at world class hand care centers. Currently, Kleinert Kutz and Associates located in Louisville Kentucky [with small branches in Indiana as well] are considered to be the world’s best hand care physicians. They were the first to perform successful FUNCTIONING hand transplants, and have held many other world firsts in hand/wrist surgery. However, unless you absolutely want the best, there are no problems with going to the many competant surgeons in your state/country.
For more information, many articles related to Flute Health can be found at:
http://www.larrykrantz.com
and
http://www.johnlunn.com/lunnflutes/ho.htm
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flutepicc06
- Posts: 1353
- Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 11:34 pm
I have only one suggestion to make...The health section you posted seems excellent, Fluteguy, but relates mostly to the hands/wrists. However, flutists are also at risk for TMJ and other ailments. I would suggest adding a section relating to such injuries. I would do it myself, but my personal experience of playing related injury is almost nil. Perhaps someone else on the board could help broaden the health section?
Also, I seem to have forgotten my promise to write a practice tips section, but I will have it finished and ready for revision/editing by the end of the weekend. I'm very sorry for the delay.
Also, I seem to have forgotten my promise to write a practice tips section, but I will have it finished and ready for revision/editing by the end of the weekend. I'm very sorry for the delay.