Dear Karl,

I am a fossil too and fortunately I do not have now any pain in my arms. I would
tell you more - my left hand which was broken at the wrist level stopped
bothering me. This I address to my efforts to find ways of playing piano
physically correct. On the other hand the "right" way of playing gave me some
feedback in terms of my body state. I discovered I had problems with my right
shoulder joint. Now I am trying to do something before it will affect my
playing.
A couple of years ago I was working on a piece of music which was far above my
piano level. I was very stubborn and continued on practicing it. Each time I
could do that for 10 minutes only because of the awful pain in my back. Of
course I had to stop.
I am telling you that because I think it is important to know the source of your
pain. You think it is muscle pain. It might also be nerves or, for example,
elbow joint.
In case that is muscle I would suggest that you should not touch the hurting
part of your arm - it could bring even more problems. You should help your arm
by increasing blood circulation in it. All motions should be done on the
shoulder level - for example rotations. I would also suggest that you should pay
attention to your neck and back. Very slow rotations and stretching would be
good.
If you could tell me what music you have been working on recently....

Victoria Achim

----- Original Message -----
From: klavierneuling
To: musicalfossils@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, October 07, 2006 7:20 AM
Subject: [musicalfossils] arm pain


I am a real fossil and a real beginner and probably beyond the age
where one should try his luck at the piano. Still, I have been with
it for three years now and at times even feel progress. For the last
half year or so I have gradually developed a muscle pain in my right
arm (only the right one) between elbow and wrist every time about ten
minutes after I sit down and practice. It is getting worse and I am
looking for help!

Needless to say that I THINK I am relaxed when I play. I am watching
myself and I keep telling myself to relax. Obviously I am not
relaxed, because my arm gets so tense after a while that I have to
stop playing. I don't seem to be able to control this.

Before I go and see a doctor: is there anybody out there who knows of
such problems and can give advice?

Thanks

Karl-Heinz Isleif





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