question about cuticles?

[chopin2015]

Hey yo, whoa! So i know all you pianists cut your fingernails. Do you trim your cuticles? I have a habit of cutting them really deep and sometimes to the point of where the finger tips or corners are raw and sensitive to touch and hurt! I have an audition in less than 2 days. It hurts to touch things right now! What can I do?

[p2u_]

Hey yo, whoa! So i know all you pianists cut your fingernails. Do you trim your cuticles?

Yes, with a special nipper for that purpose.

I have a habit of cutting them really deep and sometimes to the point of where the finger tips or corners are raw and sensitive to touch and hurt! I have an audition in less than 2 days. It hurts to touch things right now! What can I do?

Go to your local pharmacy, explain the problem, and let them recommend you the best cuticle oil/cream they have. This should at least releave some of the pain and speeds up the healing process. This oil/cream is usually also available in the nail care aisles of most department stores. Not very cheap though.
P.S.: If you've cut off the seal, then there is the risk of infection. Be more careful next time!

Paul

[chopin2015]

It doesnt hurt as bad on other pianos, but playing on ivory with raw fingers is completely unbearable! Seriously

[p2u_]

It doesnt hurt as bad on other pianos, but playing on ivory with raw fingers is completely unbearable! Seriously

You could try band-aids. I remember Alfred Brendel playing the piano with Elastoplast band-aids on his fingertips. He did it supposedly because of weak fingernails that tended to split or break, but I can imagine it may also help in your case.

Paul

[chopin2015]

Ill go try that right now! Lol

Thanks!

[outin]

Hey yo, whoa! So i know all you pianists cut your fingernails. Do you trim your cuticles?

No, why do you do that? I used to bite my nails really bad as a kid and I can remember how painful it is. It used to help me to soak them in cold water. And then used plasters.
I do have to cut my nails really short, or I cannot play at all. And the more I play the harder they seem to get...
Before I started playing my nails didn't grow much, they were really soft and usually just wore/broke off. Now they are really hard and grow too long to play in just a week or so 

[p2u_]

Do you trim your cuticles?

No, why do you do that?

My wife does this for me (I just let her because I don't really care), but then she knows how to do this properly. She claims that uncared-for cuticles are "prone to hangnails and dryness". I hear it's part of the standard procedures in beauty parlors. I suspect, though, that it's generally better NOT to touch them at all.

Paul

[outin]

No, why do you do that?

My wife does this for me (I just let her because I don't really care), but then she knows how to do this properly. She claims that uncared-for cuticles are "prone to hangnails and dryness". I hear it's part of the standard procedures in beauty parlors. I suspect, though, that it's generally better NOT to touch them at all.

OK.... Here comes the shocking revelation:
I have never in my life been to a beauty parlor of any kind...I don't even go to a hairdresser anymore, I really hate those, my friend cuts my hair 

[p2u_]

OK.... Here comes the shocking revelation:
I have never in my life been to a beauty parlor of any kind...I don't even go to a hairdresser anymore, I really hate those, my friend cuts my hair 

Good for you. I keep telling my wife she doesn't need it either, but she doesn't believe me. Poor wallet of mine...

Paul

[chopin2015]

The bandaid didnt work it confused me!

[ahinton]

Wasn't he the Greek god of fingernail maintenance, just as Spectacles was the Greek god of vision?

Best,

Alistair

[j_menz]

Wasn't he the Greek god of fingernail maintenance, just as Spectacles was the Greek god of vision?

Best,

Alistair

 



On topic, my own nails grow so fast, and so strong, that my laziness means they are often waaay to long and quite lethal.

[chopin2015]

ever have your nail get stuck between the keys? It happens! It hurts!

[drazh]

You could try band-aids.

Paul

1 cm 3M  porous paper adhesive is the best option i suppose.