Hey,
I just started playing trad music about 6 months ago and while I was playing my old flute, a Terry Mcgee, or my silver flute, I didn't have any problems, but I just bought a Desi Seery plastic keyless and whenever I play I'm getting pains down my wrist and the back of my hand. Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong and how to fix it would be lifesaving.
Thanks! : )
Do you still have the McGee? Why aren't you playing it?
I own a Delrin Seery and a blackwood Copley. The Seery feels thicker (bigger in diameter) than the Copley, but I haven't measured them to be sure. Also, it feels heavier, but that's just because the weight is more evenly distributed down the length of the flute--where the Copley carries more of its weight in the headjoint.
Maybe one or both of these factors is causing you to tense up? Or maybe the reach between holes is wider than the McGee?
Desi's flutes (and Mr Copley's) are Pratten-style, whereas the McGee you have is likely to be a Rudall design (Terry makes many different models - which one do you have?).
The Rudalls I've played are MUCH easier on the hands than Prattens - smaller diameter, smaller holes, shorter distance between holes. They're also not as loud, I think, and have a much sweeter, less earthy sound - depending how you play 'em, of course.
Like Will, I play a Copley - and like you I developed RSI / Carpal tunnel pretty soon - largely because the flute-playing stresses were compounded by 8 hours a day of solid keyboard and mousework. It lasted a long time - it was nearly a year before I'd worked out how to keep the pain and discomort at bay by maintaining a routine of stretching excercises, monthly trips to the physio for a head, neck, shoulders and arm massage, and the occasional shiatsu therapy.
Here's a key thing about RSI though: though it might be your wrists and hands that are aching, it's your neck, shoulders and spine that are carrying the stresses and need to be worked on.
Here's a useful excercise:
- stretch out your arms in front of you, palms facing in, flat together. Keeping them straight, elbows locked, spread your arms out backwards into the 'crucifixion' position, and when they're as far back as they can go, let your wrists carry on going in the same direction, bending back as far as they can go. You'll be stretching your tendons on the inside of your wrists, counteracting the inward tension and stresses of the cramped flute-playing positions. Um, consult your doctor or physio before doing this though. Really. Once you've got the go-ahead, and he/she shows you how to do it properly, do it several times an hour if you're at work or school, and during long practice/playing sessions.
Also (and seriously!), Kung fu wrist warm-up excercises are fantastic at keeping this sort of thing at bay.
I had similar pain to what you discribe for a while, in my left wrist, but only when I played in sessions. I figured out that I was twisting my body too far to the right (in order to see some of the players on that side), and that was putting a strain on my wrist. I now always sit so I can face the players who I want to see by turning slightly to my left, in other words, the way you're supposed to turn anyway. Maybe you've been not turning left when you play the Seery? Or could the distance between the blowhole and the top fingerhole be farther than you're used to? I was playing a friend's lovely boxwood Olwell a while ago and the difference between it and my Burns was quite large. Good luch with it anyhow!
I experienced some pretty severe soreness in the upper hand (right for me, actually) about a month into starting flute. I started doing some stretching exercises and they appear to have helped out a lot.
I believe there is also an adjustment period when getting used to any new instrument.
Thanks very much everyone : )
I don't know what sort of flute the Ruddall Rose/ other thingy is, can someone explain it to me, i keep reading it everywhere.
I have an out of line g on silver flute so it could be the stretch that I'm not used to, so thankyou for all your help
Jen
I'm no expert, but the Ruddall design tends to feature a smaller bore and smaller tone holes than the Pratten design (which has a larger bore diameter and larger tone holes). Ruddall style flutes tend to have a smaller outer diameter as well, which supposedly favors people with small hands. Most people argue that the Pratten is louder, with more bite or edge to the tone. Ruddalls are supposed to be softer, with a rounder "home" tone. People who like Ruddalls say they take less air and can produce a wider range of tonal subtleties than Prattens. People who like Prattens swear by their volume (good for noisy sessions) and reedy honk.
But lots of people get plenty of volume and bark out of Ruddall-style flutes, and plenty of Pratten players are capable of a wide range of expressive tones. And there are lots of variations among flutes by different makers.
A late response...
Probably not to worry. Each new wind instrument I've picked up (and there are many) have caused "pains" in my hands and wrist for up to a month or two. They go away with time and conditioning.
However, "severe pains" may need medical attention. I won't comment nore on this aspect of it.
flute players? help?
flute players? help?
Hey,
I just started playing trad music about 6 months ago and while I was playing my old flute, a Terry Mcgee, or my silver flute, I didn't have any problems, but I just bought a Desi Seery plastic keyless and whenever I play I'm getting pains down my wrist and the back of my hand. Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong and how to fix it would be lifesaving.
Thanks! : )
# Posted on June 30th 2005 by flute jen
Re: flute players? help?
Which hand, right or left?
Do you still have the McGee? Why aren't you playing it?
I own a Delrin Seery and a blackwood Copley. The Seery feels thicker (bigger in diameter) than the Copley, but I haven't measured them to be sure. Also, it feels heavier, but that's just because the weight is more evenly distributed down the length of the flute--where the Copley carries more of its weight in the headjoint.
Maybe one or both of these factors is causing you to tense up? Or maybe the reach between holes is wider than the McGee?
# Posted on June 30th 2005 by Will Harmon
Re: flute players? help?
Desi's flutes (and Mr Copley's) are Pratten-style, whereas the McGee you have is likely to be a Rudall design (Terry makes many different models - which one do you have?).
The Rudalls I've played are MUCH easier on the hands than Prattens - smaller diameter, smaller holes, shorter distance between holes. They're also not as loud, I think, and have a much sweeter, less earthy sound - depending how you play 'em, of course.
Like Will, I play a Copley - and like you I developed RSI / Carpal tunnel pretty soon - largely because the flute-playing stresses were compounded by 8 hours a day of solid keyboard and mousework. It lasted a long time - it was nearly a year before I'd worked out how to keep the pain and discomort at bay by maintaining a routine of stretching excercises, monthly trips to the physio for a head, neck, shoulders and arm massage, and the occasional shiatsu therapy.
Here's a key thing about RSI though: though it might be your wrists and hands that are aching, it's your neck, shoulders and spine that are carrying the stresses and need to be worked on.
Here's a useful excercise:
- stretch out your arms in front of you, palms facing in, flat together. Keeping them straight, elbows locked, spread your arms out backwards into the 'crucifixion' position, and when they're as far back as they can go, let your wrists carry on going in the same direction, bending back as far as they can go. You'll be stretching your tendons on the inside of your wrists, counteracting the inward tension and stresses of the cramped flute-playing positions. Um, consult your doctor or physio before doing this though. Really. Once you've got the go-ahead, and he/she shows you how to do it properly, do it several times an hour if you're at work or school, and during long practice/playing sessions.
Also (and seriously!), Kung fu wrist warm-up excercises are fantastic at keeping this sort of thing at bay.
HTH
# Posted on June 30th 2005 by Q
Re: flute players? help?
I recommend amputation.
# Posted on June 30th 2005 by Eliot
Re: flute players? help?
Eliot! That's terrible!
I find also that my left arm tends to get tingly from playing silver flute (open hole, in-line G in case that matters) in the wrong position.
Hope you avoid Carpal Tunnel as best as possible!
--Nomi
# Posted on June 30th 2005 by nomithegnome
Re: flute players? help?
I had similar pain to what you discribe for a while, in my left wrist, but only when I played in sessions. I figured out that I was twisting my body too far to the right (in order to see some of the players on that side), and that was putting a strain on my wrist. I now always sit so I can face the players who I want to see by turning slightly to my left, in other words, the way you're supposed to turn anyway. Maybe you've been not turning left when you play the Seery? Or could the distance between the blowhole and the top fingerhole be farther than you're used to? I was playing a friend's lovely boxwood Olwell a while ago and the difference between it and my Burns was quite large. Good luch with it anyhow!
# Posted on July 1st 2005 by seisflutes
Re: flute players? help?
Not good "luch," good luck! Sorry.
# Posted on July 1st 2005 by seisflutes
Re: flute players? help?
I experienced some pretty severe soreness in the upper hand (right for me, actually) about a month into starting flute. I started doing some stretching exercises and they appear to have helped out a lot.
I believe there is also an adjustment period when getting used to any new instrument.
# Posted on July 1st 2005 by wormdiet
Re: flute players? help?
Thanks very much everyone : )
I don't know what sort of flute the Ruddall Rose/ other thingy is, can someone explain it to me, i keep reading it everywhere.
I have an out of line g on silver flute so it could be the stretch that I'm not used to, so thankyou for all your help
Jen
# Posted on July 1st 2005 by flute jen
Re: flute players? help?
I'm no expert, but the Ruddall design tends to feature a smaller bore and smaller tone holes than the Pratten design (which has a larger bore diameter and larger tone holes). Ruddall style flutes tend to have a smaller outer diameter as well, which supposedly favors people with small hands. Most people argue that the Pratten is louder, with more bite or edge to the tone. Ruddalls are supposed to be softer, with a rounder "home" tone. People who like Ruddalls say they take less air and can produce a wider range of tonal subtleties than Prattens. People who like Prattens swear by their volume (good for noisy sessions) and reedy honk.
But lots of people get plenty of volume and bark out of Ruddall-style flutes, and plenty of Pratten players are capable of a wide range of expressive tones. And there are lots of variations among flutes by different makers.
# Posted on July 1st 2005 by Will Harmon
Re: flute players? help?
A late response...
Probably not to worry. Each new wind instrument I've picked up (and there are many) have caused "pains" in my hands and wrist for up to a month or two. They go away with time and conditioning.
However, "severe pains" may need medical attention. I won't comment nore on this aspect of it.
# Posted on July 15th 2005 by laridee