#443 in Arts & photography books
Reddit mentions of What Every Pianist Needs to Know About the Body
Sentiment score: 5
Reddit mentions: 9
We found 9 Reddit mentions of What Every Pianist Needs to Know About the Body. Here are the top ones.
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Specs:
Height | 11 Inches |
Length | 8.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Weight | 1.1 Pounds |
Width | 0.4 Inches |
I'd seriously consider taking a break from playing for a while to let yourself heal. I know it isn't your favorite option, but it is the best long-term solution to tendinitis. I had friends in the piano world who had multiple surgeries, had to take months to years off, and had constant pain/reinjury in their wrists and backs due to stress injuries. It's no laughing matter.
That being said, I understand why you won't/can't take that much time off. Seeing a medical specialist is your best bet, so I'd advise asking for a referral to physical therapy and follow the recommendations. In addition, here are some things that have helped me with my own chronic-use injuries over the years:
Hopefully some of these help! But, again, I'm not a doctor, and talking to a medical professional about these options is definitely the way to go. Good luck!
In addition to a teacher, there are:
Other technique books I haven't read or had a glance at:
Your mileage may vary. These books I haven't read are often very expensive or out of print, so you may need to go to a library.
Definitely get an adjustable bench/chair. Also read this book: What Every Pianist Needs to Know About the Body https://www.amazon.com/dp/1579992064/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6e9uCb201PZ5C
I recently read What Every Pianist Needs to Know about the Body (https://www.amazon.com/What-Every-Pianist-Needs-About/dp/1579992064) for help with proper posture and all that, and it was a really great read. Super important to get posture right to prevent injury. If it hurts after an hour I dare say you're doing something wrong, and I hope you take it serious before it starts to hurt even sooner and impacts your playing!
Even after reading the book and trying to be conscious of all its teachings, when I went to see a teacher for some help she immediately pointed out that I needed to raise my right wrist more (I'm a lefty, not sure if this is a non-dominant hand thing, since you mentioned your left wrist).
So anyway, good playing, but take from someone who's been injured (weightlifting, not piano), it's really important to take form seriously :)
Does the pain begin immediately when you start playing? Are they sharp pains? At specific points or all over?
Assuming your bones healed properly, I would guess that the pain is related to your muscles and/or nerves and not the bones themselves. If that's the case,then some combination of stretching and strength building will probably be your cure. (although you said grade 4 was just four years ago, so your bones are still growing and that may change things).
In any event, you should make sure to start slowly each time you play. Give yourself some time to warm up before you go after a demanding passage.
I would also highly recommend you pick up and read Thomas Mark's 'What Every Pianist Needs to Know About the Body'.
http://www.amazon.com/What-Every-Pianist-Needs-About/dp/1579992064
Glad to hear. This book might give some insight along the away.
Wondered what anybody thought about any of these technique books. Or something else you love?
https://www.amazon.com/What-Every-Pianist-Needs-About/dp/1579992064
https://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Piano-Technique-Russian-McKeever/dp/1495073017
https://www.amazon.com/Art-Piano-Fingering-Traditional-Innovative/dp/1479285277
https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Piano-Technique-Students-Performers/dp/0931340462
I recommend taking a look at this book. Relatedly, you could talk to a teacher of the Taubman Approach, or as someone already mentioned, the Alexander Technique, which is a more general application of healthy motion.
This will require you to rework your approach to the keyboard, which I can attest is no easy feat. It's based on the premise that what you're currently doing is not healthy (given that you're injuring yourself) and that there are more efficient ways to produce the same, or better, musical results.
It's important to stress that unhealthy playing is not an indication of bad musicianship - many of the greatest pianists have experienced related injuries (Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Gould, Schnabel). Regarding the Taubman Approach, I think the most famous beneficiary is Leon Fleisher, who regained the use of his right hand, although there are countless pianists who never get injured in the first place because of this.
The book I mentioned has a quote I like: "Some people believe pain comes from being unlucky. Lucky pianists can play as much as they wish whereas unlucky pianists get injured. But that is also false. Musicians' injuries are not booby prizes in a lottery."
Hopefully this information nets you a better-than-expected Christmas gift!
Probably not. You should consult someone who knows something (I don't) or try this book https://www.amazon.com/What-Every-Pianist-Needs-About/dp/1579992064 which has helped me a ton.