Sweaty Hands -

[kilimanjaro]

Hello,

I have a strange, but troubling problem.

When I was young, I had a nervous disorder called hyperhidrosis that makes your hands sweat terribly.  I couldn't do anything with my hands and was overjoyed when computers came out and I didn't have to write on paper and smudge the ink in school!

Anyway, I finally had a surgery that is quite dangerous, but I had success and my hands were sweat free (although feet started sweating terribly).  A year after the surgery, however, my right hand started sweating again (only with 50 percent intensity and 50 percent of the time it used to before, but still bad).  Now that it is summer, it sweats more often and I m much more comfortable playing the chords with my left hand than playing them with my right hand.  Playing melodies is not too bad.

Anyway, I haven't told my professor this and she never touches or rarely sees my palm and bottom of fingers so I doubt she knows.  I am a bit shy of telling her since she might feel that I am spoiling her piano!  What should I do?

[chopinetta]

hey, i have sweaty hands during recitals so my fingers slip off the keys and make horrible sounds!

[julibug]

If you think this could develop into a more serious problem, you should go ahead and tell your professor.  It would be easier for you to explain it now and avoid an even more awkward situation later.

[pianomagic]

Hi killmanjaro -

I have a feeling your teacher already notices, whether he/she admits has mentioned it or not.  I had a friend with a similar problem, though I don't think it was quite as severe as yours ...

Perhaps you could try some talc powder?  That would keep your fingers from slipping as much, and also would absorb some of the fluid.  Or if it's really moist, keep a rag to wipe and some talc powder?

Also, are you playing on new keys, or an old piano with ivory keys?  Ivory keys tend to be more slippery ...

There's always a way where there's a will, so don't let a little sweat keep you away from the piano!

[jlh]

While I don't personally suffer from this, I occasionally get sweaty hands before a recital or competition.  One thing I've done in the past is put a paper towel or napkin in my pockets.  No one will know it's there, and can be a quick solution when things get a little wet.