Ragtime and pain in the biceps region

[indespair]

Can extended ragtime practice lead to pain in the biceps region? Other than taking breaks, what other ways are there to avoid it?

[bronnestam]

Play a lot with separated hands, and when the working hand/arm signals fatigue, you let it rest and work with the other one instead. If you always stop when you start feeling tired, you will not get any tiresome injury that might take weeks to heal.   
I know what I'm talking about because this happened to me ... So take fatigue seriously, you will gain nothing and lose a lot by proceeding when you muscles signal that they need some rest.

Also, if you feel tired, remember to play silently and lightly and to decrease tempo. There is no need whatsoever to play with force when you learn a new piece - save that for later, when you know exactly how to play and therefore can do it in a relaxed way. 

Finally, a gel with diklofenak is good for muscle pains.

[ted]

Pain in biceps from ragtime ? I have always played lots of ragtime and that  issue is new to me, but I suppose anything is possible. I assume you refer to the left arm ? Maybe you are trying to play too heavily and uniformly. It is not necessary to push the lower octaves (notes, tenths) down, and even less so the chords higher up, particularly on a heavy action grand and at fast tempo. A light, clear, detached movement is easiest. Observe the easy, fluid action of Stephanie Trick - not a trace of heaviness, belting or tension, even in large jumps.

[indespair]

Yes I figured I should take breaks. I do play very lightly with my left hand though.