Re: piano and songleading

[Joel Siegel <jdsiegel...>]

> Yes!  I am a pianist/songleader and soloist (pianist/singer), and have been
> doing it for years.  Obviously the biggest drawback is the lack of
> portability that the guitar has, but somehow I make it work.  Depending on
> where I am and what that location's piano situation is (i.e. what type/size
> of piano/keyboard), I can either be face on to students, or turned to the
> side. In that case, I usually try to sit facing them and twist my body back
> to the keyboard.   I've found a good angle to be at about 45 degrees to the
> students, so you can still see them and the piano.  Note:  this can cause a
> bit of strain to your back if you sit twisted to them long enough!  

It also makes you more vulnerable to repetitive strain injuries (RSI), of
which the best known (but not the only one by far) is the dreaded Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome.  In general, keeping a body twisted and doing repetitive,
small muscle movements for extended periods of time will increase your
vulnerability.  So will poor posture. 

Most of us on the list are potentially vulnerable to RSI, as we're likely
guitarists, pianists and/or computer keyboard users.  Be careful with this,
folks; you can lose your physical ability to play if it gets bad enough.

I've just gone through 3 years of law school where I've done a *lot* of
computer keyboarding (I type my class notes).  I've had some close brushes
with RSI, and I know that while I could probably live relatively happily if
I could never touch a computer keyboard again, I'd probably hang myself if
I was unable to play guitar.  So I'm sounding a warning.  Keep your body
straight, your posture good, have good ergonomics with whatever tools you
use, *stop immediately if you feel any pain, numbness or tingling*, and
maybe get an evaluation from a physical therapist or occupational therapist
*with* your tools.

If you're interested in more info and have Usenet access, check
misc.health.injuries.rsi.moderated and/or misc.health.injuries.rsi.misc. 

You can also point your web browser at www.engr.unl.edu/eeshop/rsi.html for
an intro by a non-health professional to RSI.

The site has a special page for musicians at 
http://www.engr.unl.edu/eeshop/music.html

The person who maintains the pages is Paul Marxhausen, Engineering
Electronics Technician.  <http://www.engr.unl.edu/eeshop/pmx.html>;
<mailto://mpaul (at) unlinfo(dot)unl(dot)edu>

I reproduce a portion of the page below.  The page is very much worth a
trip; there are tons of links worth looking at.  Watch your hands while
surfing!

A final note; there are about 20 links there to articles just for
guitarists and another 13 or so for pianists.


                                   [LINK]
                                      
                           Musicians and Injuries
                                      
                                  [INLINE]
                 [Books][Tapes] [Links & On-Line Articles]
                                      
   Instrumental musicians are a special risk group for repetitive motion
   injuries. Sizable percentages of them develop physical problems
   related to playing their instruments; and if they are also computer
   users, their risks are compounded and complicated. My own
   computer-induced tendinitis was very much aggravated by my guitar and
   violin playing and did not begin to improve until I stopped all
   playing for several months.
   
   Instrumental injuries often include the same conditions experienced
   from computer overuse : Carpal Tunnel Syndrome , Tendinitis ,
   Tenosynovitis, DeQuervain's Syndrome , Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, and
   Trigger Finger/Thumb are particularly common among keyboardists,
   fretboardists, flute, and string players. But the particular demands
   of different instruments produce other problems as well, including
   hearing loss or TemporoMandibular Joints Disorder . Incorrect posture,
   non-ergonomic technique, excessive force, overuse, and insufficient
   rest contribute to chronic injuries that can cause great pain,
   disability, and the end of careers.
   
What Can You Do?

     * INFORM YOURSELF. Take time to read the resources listed below.
       Causes and prevention are a complex topic, as Jónas Sen's
       excellent thesis makes clear.
     * EVALUATE YOUR TECHNIQUE. Again, the materials listed have much
       more information, but in general musicians often need to reduce
       force, find postures that keep joints in the middle of their range
       of motion, use larger muscle groups when possible, and reduce body
       usage that involves fixed, tensed positions.
     * TAKE LOTS OF BREAKS TO STRETCH and RELAX. This means both
       momentary breaks every few minutes and longer breaks every hour or
       so. This may be the single most important thing to remember.
       Constant tension and repetitive motion does not allow the body to
       flush away metabolic waste products and this is traumatic to
       tissues over time. Even in the middle of playing a piece you may
       have a moment to relax a hand or arm to restore circulation. And
       consider: are the marathon rehearsals that we pride ourselves on
       going to hurt us in the end?
     * GET MEDICAL HELP. Therapists and doctors know that musicians are
       notoriously hard to persuade to reduce or stop their playing to
       allow injuries to heal, and some instructors may tell students to
       ignore pain, or accuse them of trying to avoid practice. But "No
       Pain, No Gain" is a disasterous policy for a musician. If it
       hurts, back off. THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF: is it worse to have to not
       play for a few months . . . or to risk a permanent injury,
       disability, pain, and never playing again? Also, I hear of
       musicians with pain who are afraid to see a doctor because they
       may find out they have a difficult injury. It's better to know the
       truth and do something about it. Don't put off seeking treatment
       if you are in pain.
     * EVALUATE OTHER ACTIVITIES. Your problems may be caused or
       aggravated by other things you do frequently. Computer use is a
       notorious example, but sports, carrying children, hobbies, and
       excess effort/tension in other daily things may have enormous
       impact too.
     * PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY. Pain is your body yelling that it's in
       big trouble, but learning what is comfortable or awkward for your
       body before you're in pain may prevent injury. "Physical
       re-education" through The Feldenkrais Method®, T'ai Chi, yoga, The
       Alexander Technique , stretching, or dance classes all may be
       helpful.
       
   I'll be putting more information here as I am able, but for now I
   highly recommend looking at some of the resources listed below. If you
   have pointers to similar literature, especially ergonomically oriented
   instrumental methods, or just have a tip or two of your own on safer
   techniques and injury prevention/recovery, drop a line so it can be
   added here. Please note that authorities in this area of study have
   differences of opinion about points of technique, treatment, or
   prevention: read as much as you can for the balanced view. -Paul
   Marxhausen 
   
                 [Books][Tapes] [Links & On-Line Articles]
                                      
     _________________________________________________________________
                                      
Books . . .

   Books contain far more useful information than can be easily presented
   on-line. I strongly encourage you to read some of the following
   titles. The publishing information and Web links to the publisher or
   distributor are included where they are known. In addition, in
   association with Amazon.com Books you can purchase many of these
   titles on-line by clicking the Order from Amazon ... link after each
   listing, which will take you directly to that particular catalogue
   item. If you buy from Amazon, they will handle all billing, shipping,
   etc. and inquiries should be directed to them.
     * [INLINE] THE MUSICIAN'S SURVIVAL MANUAL:
       A Guide to Preventing and Treating Injuries in Instrumentalists.
       Richard Norris, M.D. 
       International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians, 1993.
       ISBN 0-918812-74-7
       MMBMUSIC,INC. Tel: 314 531-9635; 800 543-3771 (USA/Canada) ST262
       $16.95 Web Site here.
       "The book is aimed at an audience of performers. It has chapters
       on recognition and prevention of injuries, thoracic outlet
       syndrome, some of the nerve entrapment syndromes, tendinitis, also
       "therapeutic exercise for musicians" and "returning to play after
       injury", among others. Very readable." (quote from Ann Chukurian)
       It had important insights for me as a musician, and much also
       applies to computer users. Musicians who are computer users need
       to read it. Here's the Table of Contents 
       Appendix B (a list of performing arts clinics) from this book is
       included on my FindADoc list.
       Order from Amazon . . .
     * [INLINE] "My current all-purpose recommendation for physical
       issues is Julie Lyonn Lieberman, YOU ARE YOUR INSTRUMENT, which
       covers all the mental/physical side of music, with lots of
       suggestions, physical exercises, and references to everything from
       chiropractic to yoga - she has done a lot of work with doctors on
       the physical side of musical performance. worth the money."
       (quote: Dave Sanderson)
       Huiksi Music, PO Box 495, NY NY 10024-3202 ISBN 1-879730-20-0
       [Note: I'm reading this book now. This is maybe the single best
       single book a musician could read, with great breadth and
       accuracy, funky but superb illustrations, and references for the
       additional reading musicians will want to do. - PMx]
       Order from Amazon . . .
                                     
[snip]
 
   
    Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln / Music Injuries Web Page /
    mpaul (at) unlinfo(dot)unl(dot)edu [INLINE]

********

End of quote. 

B'vracha,

Joel
-- 
Joel Siegel <jdsiegel (at) 
ucdavis(dot)edu>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is:     +
I only know that I am called a feminist whenever I express sentiments      +
that differentiate me from a doormat." -Rebecca West, 1913                 +
"We'll add creationism to science textbooks just as soon as you add Darwin +
to the Bible." -Author unknown                                             +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



-- 
Joel Siegel <jdsiegel (at) 
ucdavis(dot)edu>++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is:     +
I only know that I am called a feminist whenever I express sentiments      +
that differentiate me from a doormat." -Rebecca West, 1913                 +
"We'll add creationism to science textbooks just as soon as you add Darwin +
to the Bible." -Author unknown                                             +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++