Just lately I have been getting this numbness in my LH index finger from where it supports the flute, running from that spot all the way up the right hand side of the finger (as I look at it palm down). Is there a nerve being trapped or something? It's not painful, just annoying, and I'd like to know how serious it is.... Has this happened to anyone else?

Well, my hands in general just hurt randomly after I play. I haven't found out why yet. I think it has something to do with the cold weather we've been having and my fingers are just stiff. Maybe that applies to you as well? Maybe your hand position is slightly twisted so there's not enough blood running into your finger? Or there's a certain point that you're putting too much pressure on? Is the numbness like pins and needles? I'm sorry, other people will give you more qualified advice!

Hi July! I don't think it's the cold because I've had this problem before when the weather was warmer. I'll see if changing my hand position - if I can! - makes any difference. Lucky old you in Berlin, BTW.

I've been getting pins 'n needles in my right hand recently when playing the clarinet for more than about 20 minutes. I think it must be blood flow being restricted from being too tense. I reckon July got the diagnosis correct!

Where are you in Italy? I'm up north on the banks of Maggiore and it's ?**!! cold here!

Steve

The nerves to all fingers run along the sides, so if your flute is resting on the side of the finger, it is likely to be a squished nerve complaining a bit from pressure - providing you rest it intermittently during practice, it shouldn't do the nerve any lasting damage, I think. I used to get the same in my right thumb when I played the oboe, where the thumbrest pressed on it. Circulation problems would be more likely to give you a cold finger...thinking about it, though, the little finger arteries also run along the sides of the fingers. No, no, I'm fairly sure it's the nerve which is giving you trouble! A bit like sitting on your feet for too long. ( But just as harmless)

astrakhan, two questions...no make that three!

Does your flute have an offset G key or an inline G key (does the G key stick out like a tadpole?)

Exactly where on your left hand does the weight of the flute rest - thumb, side of index finger joint, palm-side of index-finger joint?

Do you have long or short hands/fingers?

I don't play the flute, but it may be worthwhile getting a second opinion. Anything causing that level of discomfort is trying to tell you to stop.

HAve you tried visiting someone like an Osteopath? Alexander lessons might be a good idea too.

I had my right hand thumb rest on my oboe moved to stop a similar problem.

It's offset.. in fact I was thinking if it was inline maybe I wouldn't be having this problem.



sort of half-way between the side of the joint and the palm side, if that makes sense



average to short, I'd say. Not long.


For stevensfo... I'm between Bologna and Modena, a place called Monteveglio, lovely Romanesque abbey with alabaster for windows and a crucifix crafted by students from the school of Leonardo. Very pretty. Hope you warm up soon !

Another thing to condider posture, in particular the head, neck and shoulders. Problems with numbness/pins and needles in fingers can be due to a trapped or compressed nerve in the neck area.

Thanks! We've had even more snow, don't know when it's going to stop! Very pretty, though!



Sounds very nice as well!!

Hope your finger gets better soon!

Brian Pickering's flute hold
Jennifer Cluff on LH finger pain

If your fingers are not very long, I think you are much better off with an offset G key, and it seems that inline G keys are not as popular as they used to be anyway, precisely because of hand and finger problems.

Sounds as if your flute is resting in a pretty good position - I find that the further the weight of the flute is to the SIDE, the more pain I get. I have very long fingers, and found that I was holding my LH very slanted to avoid curling my index finger so much. It actually worked better to hold the flute (as much as possible, anyway!) square on to the palm side of the base of my index finger joint rather than sitting it on the side of the joint.

What about your RH? The "modified Rockstro grip" which seems to be the bees knees at present tells you to bring the THUMB of your RH further to the back (your body side) of the flute to support it, rather than having it kind of hooked round the front. When I learned to do this, I found that immediately the flute was lighter on my LH finger joint - my RH thumb was holding the flute UP more than pressing it in and down.

Another tip - Scholl corn plasters stuck on the underside of your flute are often used to take some of the pressure of your index finger joint! I've even heard that a little patch of medium-grit sandpaper is effective, because it "holds" the flute better, and you don't have to throttle it in a tense, sweaty, death-grip.

And yes, shoulders and neck! You may have much less strength in those areas than you would expect! Belly-dancing shoulder shimmies are great for relieving stress in the shoulders, and swimming is great for upper body strength too. Failing that, how about "push-offs" (push-ups done against a wall, instead of off the floor)?

Best of luck!

Wow - what a load of good advice!!! I appreciate it so much... I'll let yuo know how I get on. Thanks heaps.