When I practised this morning - just playing scales - I noticed that the ring finger of my right hand felt strange - strained and slightly painful. I thought about why this suddenly happened, and I wondered if it had anything to do with using the computer mouse - or was I overstreching myself?

Like many people nowadays, I have to use a computer at work. Normally I use the mouse with my left hand. But several months ago I became aware that my left hand and wrist ached, and even had discomfort going up the arm. I contacted the personnel person about this who immediately put me in touch with Health and Safety. (I should say I work for the University of Cambridge, and everyone has been most efficient in dealing with a potentially serious problem.) I had to see my GP first, who diagnosed "inflammation." Then I was sent to see a physio-therapist, a remarkable young woman who sings and plays the violin and has the most sensitive hands. She gave me exercises to do, told me to stop using the mouse with the left hand, to change to another mouse model, and use the right hand instead; and she also advised me to change regularly mouse use from right to left and back to right every couple of weeks. I asked her if I could play the piano during this period, and she said yes but to take things easy. (I know there are ways of using the keyboard instead of the mouse, and I really should look into this. I get stuck in my ways and the mouse is so quick!)

I read somewhere in this forum (I think!) about someone who had pain in the left hand from practising difficult exercises. I have become extra sensitive to discomfort in my hands, but should I stop immediately on feeling the pain? Perhaps the "pain" just indicates that my muscles are weak and needing building ("no pain, no gain")?

And have other people had RSI or inflammation from computer-use that affected playing?

All the best, Sterling

Sterling

The symptoms you describe may well mean that you have RSI or more specifically CTS (carpel tunnel syndrome) which does affect keyboard users/players of all persuasions. Take it easy on any scales and exercises, especially the weak finger 3/4/5th fingers left hand, in the Tankard book.

I don't think there is any need for you to stop playing the piano altogether, unless the pain is unbearable.

Your GP will give you something if there is inflammation but basically all you can do is to rest the affected part as much as possible as there is no specific treatment for this type of problem.

Good luck (Roger GP)

Sterling, I am sorry to hear you are having problems with your arms. You absolutely must stop on feeling pain if you are playing. However, frustrating it is to take a day off from playing, the result if you do not is you end up unable to play for much longer than a day. Also because you work with computers it means your arms are taking a lot in their fragile state and so it is quite a good idea to do other activities such as Pilates and swimming, which are really beneficial. If you are getting pain in the elbow, it is best to avoid breast stroke. I do not know how bad your arms are but playing staccato is best avoided until you are much better. I am sorry if I am being a bit scary. I do hope you feel better soon.

Many thanks for the replies!

I did a foolish thing on Saturday. I was so happy to have time to practise and so excited to start Tankard that, after playing scales, arpeggios, and 2 Hanon exercises, I opened Tankard and after reading his instructions tackled the first 6 exercises. And then the pain kicked in. I stopped and wandered through the house shaking my arms and hands, and then decided to go for a walk. No more practising that day, I fear! However, I did on Sunday but took it easier!

The trouble is, coming back to the piano after so long and being so thrilled by the idea of playing again, I suppose I am running before I can walk! But I know it would be foolish at this stage to injure my hands and so jeopardise the ability to play at all. I have been warned and - I hope! - have learned that lesson!

Sterling

Sorry Sterling, I didn't mean to send you a quote. Must have pressed the wrong buttons. I was just writing to say I hope your arms have improved.

I hope your hands are feeling a bit better. You're quite right - you musn't push it at all, even though I know it's frustrating. I had a similar experience and was banned from cello for 5 months, so if you want a rant to someone who knows how it is, PM me

It is a myth in piano playing that there is 'no pain no gain', the minute you feel a pain it is a message that something is wrong and to stop playing. I would counsel to never play through the pain.

Do you have a piano teacher to guide you?

An adjustable piano bench is an essential pre-requisite to a healthy technique, and set at the right hight and distance from the piano for the individual. Get a technician to check that the piano is properly regulated and not too heavy in its action.

Try and find an Alexander technique teacher in Cambridge, and ask their help so that you can sit properly at the instrument.

There is also a society , the 'International Society for the Study of Tension in Performance', that might be able to offer further advice.

You can also try practicing without playing! Read through your music trying to hear the sounds in your head. If you are playing repertoire where there is a recording, listen to the recording and follow the music in the score.
Good luck and a swift recovery.!

Please please please stop doing so many exercises. Tankard suggests doing an hour of exercises a day. This is far too much and pretty boring to boot!

You don't need 'fingers of steel' as a pre-requisite to piano-playing. You should never have to 'play through the pain'. Depressing a piano key does not take a huge amount of muscular power - someone's suggestion of Alexander Technique lessons sound like a great idea as a basic premise of this way of thinking is to minimise wasted energy in actions. Pianists using the 'fingers of steel' approach with lots of exercises tend to put much more energy into playing each note than is necessary. As you are prone to RSI/CTS then it is essential that you are as relaxed and efficient as possible when playing.

I have just started practising regularly again after a few years' break. I am just pracising pieces and only (very rarely) reverting to particular exercises if a particular bit of a piece is proving tricky when the piece gets up to speed. My fingers are getting plenty of exercise just playing the pieces and I am enjoying practising more than ever without the bordem of loads of exercises getting in the way (you have to listen hard and think hard when you play pieces - keeps you interested!).

My take on playing at the moment is that piano playing isn't about who can do 400 mph triple forte 5-finger workouts straddling 4 octaves...surely spend the most time enjoying the pieces - exercises can too easily become an end in themselves.

Blah blah sorry went off on a rant!

Anyway, have fun, relax, enjoy the music.

Kovich