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EHAffsprung - Posted - 09/24/2022: 08:13:02
I am finding that after I play a lot (melodic clawhammer) my thumb and index finger won't stop twitching. Has anyone else had this trouble? It sounds like no big deal, but it gets to be pretty annoying, and I worry that it will only get worse. I wish I thought I could get rid of this without going for very long periods without playing. Advice??
Texasbanjo - Posted - 09/24/2022: 11:16:35
First thing you should do is go to your doctor and tell him what's happening and ask why. It may be something that can be taken care of with no big problems. However, if you ignore it, it could get worse.
There are some doctors on here and maybe they'll chime in and give some advice. Other than that, I'd check with my own doctor and not figure a bunch of banjo pickers had the correct answer.
Edited by - Texasbanjo on 09/24/2022 11:16:59
AGACNP - Posted - 09/24/2022: 12:58:14
quote:
Originally posted by EHAffsprung
I am finding that after I play a lot (melodic clawhammer) my thumb and index finger won't stop twitching. Has anyone else had this trouble? It sounds like no big deal, but it gets to be pretty annoying, and I worry that it will only get worse. I wish I thought I could get rid of this without going for very long periods without playing. Advice??
Making music is physically demanding. You may already do simple stretches before practicing or playing...if not, I'd recommend you do so. There are other sites to be found, but this one has some good ideas:
huntington-music.com/blog/hand-exercises
I've found that until the past couple years, practicing a new song or phrase and trying to progress too quickly builds in "tension" that I carry with me every time I play the same song or phrase...since I practiced it that way, it becomes ingrained. Best to practice slowly without tension and build up speed slowy...without tension.
However!!! As Sherry says above, if something simple such as simple pre practice/performance stretching or changing practice habits (slow DOWN) don't help, a visit to your doc is good advice.
EHAffsprung - Posted - 09/25/2022: 19:03:06
quote:
Originally posted by Texasbanjo
First thing you should do is go to your doctor and tell him what's happening and ask why. It may be something that can be taken care of with no big problems. However, if you ignore it, it could get worse.
There are some doctors on here and maybe they'll chime in and give some advice. Other than that, I'd check with my own doctor and not figure a bunch of banjo pickers had the correct answer.
Thank you.
EHAffsprung - Posted - 09/25/2022: 19:04:24
quote:
Originally posted by AGACNP
quote:
Originally posted by EHAffsprung
I am finding that after I play a lot (melodic clawhammer) my thumb and index finger won't stop twitching. Has anyone else had this trouble? It sounds like no big deal, but it gets to be pretty annoying, and I worry that it will only get worse. I wish I thought I could get rid of this without going for very long periods without playing. Advice??
Making music is physically demanding. You may already do simple stretches before practicing or playing...if not, I'd recommend you do so. There are other sites to be found, but this one has some good ideas:
huntington-music.com/blog/hand-exercises
I've found that until the past couple years, practicing a new song or phrase and trying to progress too quickly builds in "tension" that I carry with me every time I play the same song or phrase...since I practiced it that way, it becomes ingrained. Best to practice slowly without tension and build up speed slowy...without tension.
However!!! As Sherry says above, if something simple such as simple pre practice/performance stretching or changing practice habits (slow DOWN) don't help, a visit to your doc is good advice.
Thanks for the reply. As obvious as it seems, it never occurred to me to do stretches (and slow down)! Good advice!
