Hi, I'm a compete beginner (Violin) (2 lessions to date!) but I have noticed that after each practice my hands ache - thumb muscle mostly - I try to shake my hands out regularly, but they still ache - just to note my grip is fairly light

Anyone else had this problem ?

Paul

You're using muscles in ways that they aren't normally used. There is nothing 'everyday' about the way a violin and bow is held. The effect you're getting is the same as someone who's recently taken up regular exercise.

It's important that you relax the hands as much as possible while playing. Even the slightest bit of tension will cause problems.

If you find your hands/arms tiring when you practice, stop, otherwise it could result in forming bad habits to compensate for the tiring limbs.

Hi Paul

You could try soaking your hands in warm water and stretching in the water before playing too, to limber up the muscles before playing. A tip I heard was to also dissolve some Epsom Salts in the water as this helps to relax the muscles.

As Amanda says, it will get better in time, you are just using muscles that have previously not worked to this degree before, and it is VERY IMPORTANT to stop and rest when it starts to ache and not to carry on or you could do lasting damage.

You could also try playing little and often rather than an extended practise session in the early days.

Don't feel too bad about it. I've just started practising viola again after years of just doing orchestral playing, and I can't manage more than about ten minutes of semiquavers before the pain in my left hand, just across the line nearest the thumb, forces me to stop.

I recall having this very same problem when I was working for my diploma.
If I can ever get over this stage then I shall be seriously thinking about having another crack at a diploma - watch this space

Liz

Hi Guys - Thanks for all the advice, its actually what I thought anyway (I've a Ph D in Physical Education) but I thought I would ask the Experts!

I've no doubts about your talents Liz - I'm sure you'll rock n' roll it!

Cheers Paul

Yes, this has been happening to me too, specifically a pain down the line of the L.H. thumb. Now that I don't practice for a few hours a day though, its gone away. It can come back when playing specific pieces, especially as mentioned with lots of quaver/semiquaver runs.
I tend to only play for 10-20 minute sessins now and as soon as my hand starts aching I stop and do some finger stretching. I know why it happens too. There are some pieces where you need more support from your thumb on the finger board, i.e. fast passages, playing with the 4th finger. I have noticed at these moments that my thumb is sometimes pressing really hard up against the fingerboard as a support. The more this occurs in a piece the more chance of the pain afterwards. Some pieces dont require as much support and the thumb is a lot more relaxed.......or maybe I'm just holding the violin wrong?

Gae

The muscles take a time to get used to your new way of holding it, and just like if you're gholding an odd position you may get cramp etc.....

Also........some pieces require slightly odder handshapes. In my experience Violin 1 part for Queen of Sheba is a real killer because of the hand shape, you can try to do what i do and play through it....(not very sucessfully) or take regualr breaks and try to break your hand into getting used the new way of working.

Hi Gae, I know I'm just starting out - but I think I may have the same problem as yourself, ie pressing my thumb to hard against the finger board - trying to hold my violin despite a chin and shoulder rest !

Needless to say I want to try and get out of this habit - I've also noticed that I go to a flat wrist when playing ! - I am trying to correct this by trying to use the shoulder rest more (great advice from JaneXXX here, which has helped me) -

Cheers Paul

Liversidge,
I am a beginner Violinist too and not far behind you in age....I'm 40. Recurring hand aches and pains are probably more common for middle-aged beginners like ourselves, rather than maybe for a younger beginner whose fingers are probably a bit more flexible and still growing?
The shoulder rest made a big difference to me too. Being able to support the violin without having to hold it up not only allows you freedom of movement for the fingers, but also takes the weight off your thumb which would otherwise be constantly pressing against the fingerboard....ouch, thats got to SMART!
On the odd times that I have played a pupil's violin without the aid of a shoulder rest, my thumb has been really sore for a while after!

Gae

When I started I was determined to get things sorted out so with time on my hands I practiced for a few hours a day. I almost brought myself to a standstill with neck and shoulder ache, and aching across my knuckles.

Silly of me, but I'd take an ibuprofin at breakfast to dull the pain so I could practice more. My teacher told me to cut it down! I did for a while but the pains went eventually..........until I started vibrato. I find it better doing two or three sessions a day, the last often in the evening when I am made to use a mute and practice in the breakfast room!

I did "neck-rolling", shoulder circling (and other exercises) and massaged my left hand which I do even now. That helped.

Peggy

Hi guys - thanks again for all your imput - it is helping -
Just wish I'd started much much younger! - like yourself "Thisisus" - I'm quite keen to learn - maybe I'm practicing to much - 2/3 hours a day -

another problem is at home I've a 4/4 violin with a shoulder rest - however where I work there is a 3/4 violin I can practice on but no shoulder rest - and being 48!
I keep forgetting to take along my shoulder rest ! (don't help myself much do I )

Hence the thumb problem! - can't say too much about my neck it seems ok

Cheers, Paul

Well when I have not practiced my violin for days, then my hands ache and cramp. And my shoulder/neck join feels weak too. So I gradually build up the amount of time spent practicing. For example the first day 10 minutes, then I take two minute's break, then practice another 10 minutes. Actually I just take a short break whenever anything aches. But if you continue practicing this way for a few days, you'll soon get into the hang of things and won't ache that badly even if you do one hour at a stretch!

I also do this exercise: slowly clenching very tightly and un-clenching, then stretching all my fingers a few times a day. It helps.

And always be aware of your hand condition when you practice. If you do something on the violin that causes pain or ache, that means you're doing it wrongly and should try different hand postions or ways and use the most comfortable one. I was taught this during my piano lessons, and have only learnt to really relax in the past few years and because of the relaxation, you'll be surprised at how much more you can achieve during a performance!

If you have the chance, you could go for a professional hand/neck massage. It does wonders for your aching hands and muscles! There is this really talented chinese sinseh in my town. One massage from him, and I no longer get the tingles in my hands (which I acquired after learning the violin and when I didn't know how to relax my grip on the instrument!)! Which improved my playing too, eventually.

And fret not, Gae, I'm about 8 years younger than you, and yet I've definitely felt the aches and stuff! I think the kids who don't know how to relax feel it as much as we do!