Techniques for counteracting RSI/inflammation from piano playing?

[savantgarde]

I'm not sure which is the right forum to post a question pertaining to piano technique, but it looks like people tend to post that sort of questions here.

Of late I've noticed some pain/stiffness in the back of my left hand, when playing a particular piano piece. This piece puts a lot of strain on the left hand due to requiring the fingers to be splayed all the time. As such, I'm wondering if anyone can point me to some good advice on technique/exercises that may aid me in avoiding inflammation/RSI from playing the piano? Thanks!

[Nystul]

Hard to give general advice on this. It's something that should be discussed with your piano teacher if you have one. That said, try to limit the amount of splaying or extension required as much as possible. For example, someone might try to play a big arpeggio by really stretching for all the notes at once when he could pivot through each note and slide his hand to get the top notes much more easily.

[Ogg Vorbis]

My piano teacher in college had tendonitis as a young man and had to completely re-work his technique. He came up with a way of playing which uses arm weight rather than finger muscles to generate energy. He also taught this so that his students would not burn their fingers out.

The natural curve of the hand will provide the movement for runs and arps so that you don't have to stretch and splay your fingers. Finger muscles were not really designed to do all the pushing and pulling...it's not sustainable in the long run. In fact you could do some major damage if you have a fingery technique.

A teacher is a must to show you how to play so that you don't hurt yourself over time. It's not something you can simply read about or watch a youtube video about.

If you are in pain from playing, please go get some good coaching.

[aciddose]

dehydration can lead to aches very quickly. try some gatorade or similar. seriously, it seems to work for me.

you can combine that with a NSAID like ibuprofin (advil) or acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).

the technique thing is sort of a "duh" type of solution. of course, try to change your technique to find comfortable positions and movements. you might find though that muscle strain is temporary and that if you try to relax more, remain hydrated and minimize exertion while you're getting into "shape" for the action you're trying to use it will gradually become more comfortable in time.

[savantgarde]

My piano teacher in college had tendonitis as a young man and had to completely re-work his technique. He came up with a way of playing which uses arm weight rather than finger muscles to generate energy. He also taught this so that his students would not burn their fingers out.

The natural curve of the hand will provide the movement for runs and arps so that you don't have to stretch and splay your fingers. Finger muscles were not really designed to do all the pushing and pulling...it's not sustainable in the long run. In fact you could do some major damage if you have a fingery technique.

Thanks. I've found some advice online that sounds similar to this, basically to make sure you push downwards on the keys rather than making the fingers do the work. I haven't studied these instructions in-depth yet, but I plan to.

[Ogg Vorbis]

My piano teacher in college had tendonitis as a young man and had to completely re-work his technique. He came up with a way of playing which uses arm weight rather than finger muscles to generate energy. He also taught this so that his students would not burn their fingers out.

The natural curve of the hand will provide the movement for runs and arps so that you don't have to stretch and splay your fingers. Finger muscles were not really designed to do all the pushing and pulling...it's not sustainable in the long run. In fact you could do some major damage if you have a fingery technique.

Thanks. I've found some advice online that sounds similar to this, basically to make sure you push downwards on the keys rather than making the fingers do the work. I haven't studied these instructions in-depth yet, but I plan to.

Yes, but it's not really "pushing down" at all. The weight of the human arm falling from a distance of 30 cm is enough to produce a fff.

I disagree that this technique is "duh." It's a habit that must be established and maintained with long-term effort to overcome old habits. And it pays to know precisely what TO DO instead of what NOT to do. So a teacher can really be the quickest path to where you want to go.

Good luck and don't play in pain.

[aciddose]

i only meant it should be "duh" that if you experience pain you're probably doing something wrong.

the technique definitely isn't completely obvious, although i've always used it. if you move your arm including shoulders, elbows and wrists it means that each stage adds a greater level of control and adds to the already existing force.

if your arm is already moving at a certain speed, you move your wrist downward and then extend your finger, you're going to get arm speed + wrist speed + finger speed when the tip of your finger hits the key.

if you use only your finger, obviously you'll be filling the place of an entire arm which is quite a lot of ask from those poor little guys.

[savantgarde]

I'm thinking of purchasing Michael Furstner's Piano Technique course. It was the first thing that came up when googling for piano and RSI, and from the information on the site, it looks like he teaches scientifically-backed technique which should allow the player to avoid putting unhealthy strain on the physique. What do you guys think, should I go for it?

[Kavarer]

Do not play the piece that is causing the pain/stiffness. That is a sure-fire way to counteract RSI/Inflammation

Nystul (original response) gives good advice.

If possible, get help from a good teacher.

I haven't witnessed the course you mention so I cannot really advise here...