stiffness/discomfort in left hand/little finger

[nj61]

Hi all I have just joined to ask about this which has been bugging me for a few months now.  I am about grade 6/7 but havent had lessons for years, after a break of 13 years I got a piano again and can't afford lessons so am just playing for fun.

I noticed as I got more into it that I am getting persistent discomfort in the knuckle/joint of the little finger of my left hand, which stretches up my left hand if I go on too long.  This isnt a problem when playing general music unless it includes lots of scale passages etc, but it is a real issue when doing playing scales and hanon.  I try to watch my technique very carefully, at first I was tensing my left hand a lot which made it worse.  For the last few months I've not played so much (back at uni!) but play a little most days.  I try to play a bit of hanon/scales everyday and keep them light but my little finger soon seizes up and just can't play at the speed it should, it kind of freezes and is very uncomfortable, becoming radiating pain up my hand if I carry on.

Any advice?  I'm guessing its technique as I am not having lessons and have moved on from the standard I was playing at when I had lessons (mostly Beethoven at the mo) so chances are I'm screwing up somewhere.  Its very frustrating as whatever I do it seems the same?  I can't remember whether this was a problem when I did have lessons, but i remember having issues with scale passage technique.

Also I did have some minor cuts on the side of the palm of this hand several months ago, including on the soft side of the joint where the little finger joins the hand.  They weren't very deep so can't imagine they did much damage, but thought I'd mention it.

Thanks for any suggestions

[alfrunner440]

Hi,

Question for you? When you play fingers 4 and 5 how are you approaching the keys? Are you trying to reach past the point of sound on the keyboard? It is most unfortunate that fingers 4 and 5 on both hands are weak and we must all be very careful to not stab at the key.

Try starting on you 3rd finger then role your hand to the 4th using the weight of your arm rather then using your finger strength. Now, continue to the 5th finger the same way. The sensation that you should feel is like your hand is running down hill and you have to force your forearm to move more quickly to keep up.

Give it a try and see how it works out. Let me know if I can help you. Oh, by the way just to let you know I am almost 65, and started playing the piano at 56. I also love playing scales and arpeggios to get things limbered up. Even though, I will practice at times for two to three hours with a slight break in between, knock wood, I have had no problems what so ever.

[mikeowski]

Do you curl your 5th finger up while playing with the other fingers? I've seen a surprisingly big number of people who do this. It creates massive tension and is really bad for your hand and arm tendons. Check if your finger is relaxed when it's not playing.
Btw, I would advise you to trash the hanon and possibly the scales in favor of actual pieces (Bach and Scarlatti are the best substitutes).

[nyiregyhazi]

I'd recommend posting a video. Without that, any advice would scratch the surface at best and could do more harm than good.

Also, curling the 5th is neither necessarily bad nor a source of tension. It depends on the position. If it makes all the knuckles droop it can indeed cause tension. If it serves to get the knuckles elevated, as when Horowitz did it, it can actively improve things. I went through a period of deliberately practising scales with my fifth curled like that, in order to stop the knuckle entering a dysfunctional drooped position. I still find it's useful to deliberately do it on ocassions, to get the other fingers in a better position for productive movement. When I play normally, my hand position is better for having sometimes worked that way. It's very useful to acquire the flexibility to reach the fourth out while curling the 5th, or the two fingers interfere with each other's workings and are restricted in freedom (although you shouldn't abruptly force this).

[nj61]

thankyou both for the suggestions

I will defo try the rolling thing.  Although I don't think I stab at the keys I do try to use finger strength rather than moving hand/arm, (not sure why?) so will try changing that technique.  Probably got into it cos hanon says to lift fingers high etc...hmm must not fetishise Hanon.  I will try some bach and scarlatti, the only reason I've mostly done scales and hanon lately is because I just don't have time to practise properly at the mo and can't bear to hear nice pieces with lots of new mistakes   so have just been sitting down for a bit of scales etc here and there when I can everyday.

I definitely don't do the finger curling up thing.  I think the arm/hand rolling thing may help given that the pain spreads across my hand.  I don't have the means to post a video, and am also cautious about doing more harm than good.  I will ask my ma to observe as it sounds like a technique issue, and she is a great pianist (and also harsh, so I tend not to ask!)
Thanks again will let you know how it goes

[dcstudio]

I had a similar issue--it was my ulnar nerve.  Playing the piano wasn't the cause--just made it worse.  Might want to look into that.  Is there any numbness or tingling?

[nj61]

I am hoping it is technique given I havent played for so long and am not having lessons but am concerned it may be something like this as it feels so odd, and not like the usual pain one would get from doing something funny.  The seizing up tends to happen before I notice the pain and is very frustrating.  I will have ma observe my hanon and if she can't identify an obvious technical issue will maybe ask the dr, altho I don't know how much they care about problems which only crop up when you play scaley things?! I do sometimes notice it when typing etc too, but not nearly so much. 

[dcstudio]

could also be carpal tunnel--yuk...  here's hoping it's just that you are overdoing it at the piano and tensing up your hands...  I was compressing the nerve when I sat at the computer -- leaning my elbow on the edge of the table was the cause...