advice

[penguinlover]

Hey all, I have a question.  I am just recovering from cancer, and chemotherapy.  I made it through the treatments fine, but now my fingertips are sore, and my fingers, especially 3,4,5 are weak.  How do I recover my strength here, and my endurance for playing as I once did?  Anyone out there have the same experience?  My doctor just says that is the way it is suppose to happen, but I am ready to change that.

[Steffen Fahl]

Sorry I never had your experience and I sincerly wish you to overcome your central problem which at least becomes more and more probable as the research progresses.

As far it comes to get devellop the strength of your Fingers, I would think the most important aspect would be to just practise daily what means regulary, but all the time trying not to touch the limit, when the Fingers become tired.

So I would expect slowly they would develop the muscles again they need for the abilities, you proably have had before.

As it was in general my opinion the good pianist do "play" with his fingers but not let the "work" hard. As far your finger could enjoy what they are doing, I would expect they will find the most direct way to recover.

best wishes for you
fahl5

[pianowolfi]

Hi Penguinlover, good to see you back here I just recently asked myself why you might have stopped posting.

Usually I start practice routine after a long break very slowly. No pressure. No huge amounts of practice time. I play slowly through my repertoire, don't do many repeats but try to feel every note and put special emphasis on relaxation. Usually I practice daily certain pieces (Chopin etudes in my case) that will bring back strength and dexterity of the fingers. It certainly takes a few weeks to get back to the old shape but you will not have lost anything for good.

[penguinlover]

Thanks, but it has been much longer than a few weeks.  I dont seem to have the stamina I had before.  I am glad I gave my recital before cancer, I could never do it now.  I don't practice as much now because my fingers are sore.  Maybe the more I play the easier it will get.  The sensations in my fingers are different than before, so playing feels a bit weird.

[gyzzzmo]

I suppose you have to start practising intensively again for getting that finger-control and strength back, just as you did before you had the chemo. People usually have a bad health and feel weak long time after the chemo, since you destroy someone's resistance with it too.

[prongated]

In addition to keeping in mind what had been said, may I suggest a little exercise?

RH: 345 345 345 345 345 345 etc.
LH: 543 543 543 543 543 543 etc.
      c     d    e    c    d     e

...going up one note on the scale of C major every groups of 4 for 1 octave, and then going back down in reverse...i.e. RH will be 543 and LH 345.

The purpose is not so much to strengthen (it will, but only to a very limited extent) as it is to regain fine control of those fingers. With that purpose in mind, it is to be done very slowly and softly, feeling every movement, the fingertips and the knuckle joints. Hands and arms relaxed too of course. And stop if anything hurts.

And you know, I remembered there was a very lively discussion about the 4th/5th finger strength years ago; I think it's worth looking at.

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=24109.0

And my best wishes to you...!

[Steffen Fahl]

In addition to keeping in mind what had been said, may I suggest a little exercise?

RH: 345 345 345 345 345 345 etc.
LH: 543 543 543 543 543 543 etc.
      c     d    e    c    d     e

I also first thought about somthing Hanon or Cortot-like, but I fear mechanical exerzises may fatigue already weekend fingers before being motivated by the joy to play, especially as we all know the problem of the weak combination of third and fourth finger which share the same sinew. In so far perhaps little but meaningful pieces like schumanns "Von femden Ländern und Menschen" or similar pieces might bring back the fingers likewise back to musical movements, than they might help to recreate the musical thinking of the mind.
Meanwhile it is just a thought.

so all in all
my best wishes for you to recover soon....!
best
fahl5

[richard black]

A friend of mine had a very serious industrial accident after which doctors said he was unlikely to get back the full use of his fingers (the ones he still had). He exercised them by carrying around a squash ball for weeks and squeezing it, gently at first and later harder, with his fingers and doing similar exercises which he thought up himself. Most of his fingers recovered far more strength and mobility than anyone had expected. It can be done, but it takes a lot of determination to overcome the boredom!

Best of luck with it all. Wouldn't wish all that on anyone.

[penguinlover]

Thanks everyone, you are an encouragement! 

[pollydendy]

Try to get your MD to prescribe Physical and Occupational therapy.  Meanwhile, try slow movement in  warm water. Best wishes.