| Author |
Comment |
Lew1870
Registered User
Posts: 10
(8/20/01 6:16:05 pm)
Reply
|
What have I
Done?
After reading all the comments about the joys and frustrations of
cello playing which I find most enlightening I have a few questions
to ask. I began taking lessons 6 months ago and have developed what
appears to be tendonitis in my bowing hand. My thumb began to appear
as if it was jumping out of joint when I moved it, Very painful. I
received a cortisone shot for this which supressed the pain and
reduced the joint problem but I still have wrist pain. I suspect
tension in my bowing hand is causing this problem and would like
suggestions as to how to handle this. I should say that I am 78
years old but I don't feel that this should be a handicap in
learning this instrument. My teacher says I have a very good ear and
I feel I am making good progress. I have just started 2nd position
e,f,g on the a string. I'm enjoying the whole business immensely. I
have never played a string instrument until now.
|
samcn
Registered User
Posts: 18
(8/20/01 9:52:28 pm)
Reply
|
See professional
help...
Hi, I am a Occupational therapist by trade.. I handle quite a bit
of hand-arm injury.. If you have to receive cortisone shot, I can
imagine the severity of your pain..
Thumb position in bow holding
is critical that you should have a relax thumb position in holding
bow -- Flex.(bending) position, not extend position..
People do
experience some orthopedic change in their joints from years of use
-- I mean arthritis..
Tendilitis usually requires REST and avoid
repeat injury.. I believe you must saw a doctor in order to receive
a shot.. I know the frustration of not playing but a little rest
take a long way..
In the mean time, pay attention to your basic
position, from shoulder to fingers.. Plus you daily living tasks --
like using scissors, holding heavy books.. We use thumbs in most
hand function ( besides holding a cigaretts with 2nd and 3rd
fingers) Frequent rests with moving your joints gently can perserve
a lot of overuse..
Sometimes, changing bow can be
beneficial..
Remember, REST and follow your doctor's suggestion
ie medication, splinting, heat/cold treatment to re-condition your
muscle and joint -- then slowly increase your practice time.. Hope
you have a long long life with the joy of cello!!!
Best
wishes
Sam
samcn@yahoo.com
|
boboma
Registered User
Posts: 11
(8/20/01 10:06:01 pm)
Reply
|
Re: What have I
Done?
Congratulations on your new and exciting adventure. I'm sorry to
hear about your wrist pain and discomfort. It seems that whatever
tension you are feeling in your wrist might actually be starting in
your shoulder. Posture is so important when we play instruments and
if your shoulder and elbow is relaxed, this may result in a more
fluid and flexible wrist. Some of the phrases my teachers have used
would be: "Appreciate the gravity of your arm" ; "Let your bow arm
'fall asleep'". Most of all, though, the reminder they'd use a lot
was: "Relax your shoulders".
Good luck - Boboma
|
Andrew
Victor
Registered
User
Posts: 384
(8/21/01 9:08:48
am)
Reply
|
Right hand
pain
When it comes to right hand pain in playing a bowed string
insrument, one of the worst sources can be the teacher.
So
many teachers will force their students to hold the bow "just right"
- which naturally enough is exactly the way the teacher holds
it.
I found my cello right hand position a bit disconcerting
when I resumed semi-serious cello playing about 1-1/2 years ago. But
that was the way I had to hold the bow to enable me to play at the
frog (with the cello angled slightly to the right) and with my right
hand high enough to really bow straight across (relative to the
cello - not to my body). I found that my right thumb was coming out
straight (or rather sticking 'in there' straight) and the right edge
of my right forearm runs straight into the right edge of my right
hand - no angles at all between the two. And ABSOLUTELY NO strain in
my right hand or wrist. Of course I'm not old like you, I'll only be
67 this year (I'm just old like me).
I figured - well - "if
it works for me...!" But then a few months ago, I read the late
cellist, Collin Hampton's new book "A Cellist's Life", which I think
is a wonderful little book - regardless of the STRAD Magazine's
negative review (probably because of the way Hampton panned "modern"
British cello pedagogy). In one scene, Hampton reprises his
attendance at a cello lesson of his second wife, Bonnie Hampton, in
Pablo Casals' bedroom - with Collin forced to be on the bed (the
only space available in the room). From this vantage point he could
view Casals' bow hand from behind and was greatly surprised to see
the STRAIGHT THUMB.
What more could I say!
Andy
|
Victor
Sazer
Registered
User
Posts: 100
(8/23/01 9:34:11
am)
Reply
|
Pain
You might check out home.earthlink.net/~vsazer
for
ideas about how to play without pain.
|
Internet Cello Society
Forums
Email
This To a Friend
Topic Commands (Moderator only)