Shaking hands during practice

[immortalbeloved]

Hey all,

Firstly, I tried to find this topic on the forum but found nothing, but if there is one, than I am sorry for opening it up again.

My question surrounds my hands. When I practice, not during a live performance, they sometimes tend to shake. It is not too bad but noticeable and sometimes it makes practice difficult. It comes and go's and usually starts up early--but no one I ask says shaky hands stem from not being warmed up. I was wondering if anyone has any experience or knowledge on this.

Thank you all.

[kawai_cs]

Oh, that is too bad I have not come across or heard about anybody having similar problem. My hands would only shake a little bit at times when I am stressed.
Can you think of any particular circumstances when they start to shake? Like do they tend to shake rather in the beginning of the practice session or after hours of practicing?
Is it just hands that shake? Or do you notice some muscles in your body shake at times (eg. a muscle in your eyelid?) In such case it could be due to not enough potassium in your diet (bananas have a lot of it).
Or maybe your position at the piano is not optimal? Like if you do not have enough support thru correctly positioning your legs? Well, not sure what it could be...

[immortalbeloved]

It tends to occur when I start. Furthermore, I feel it most when I am playing a chord, not usually when I am running scales. Maybe I will try sitting closer to my piano? I like that suggestion and will give it a try!

Thank you

[keypeg]

There are many stories of hands shaking during performances.  You just happen to have the same thing when you start to practice.

[dcstudio]

well the problem doesn't sound like it's neurological which is good.  Happens when you play a chord, huh...  IDK but you may be straining your hands to play them.   Both hands shake though... ?   that sounds like nerves... but again IDK without seeing or hearing you play.

would you be opposed to posting a video that shows this?   It would help quite a bit.

[immortalbeloved]

DC, my video quality would be as shaky as my playing, however, your playing of the Charlie brown Christmas song was so soothing and wonderful!

[dcstudio]

why thank you so much...

I have the composer of all the Peanuts music...the late. Mr. Vince Guaraldi to thank for my success on YT.   I am a jazz pianist and he was my very first "jazz love."   Linus and Lucy has landed me more gigs than I can count. 

Although I truly do love the master composers and their music...  none of them have paid my bills like Vince has...

[outin]

Hey all,

Firstly, I tried to find this topic on the forum but found nothing, but if there is one, than I am sorry for opening it up again.

My question surrounds my hands. When I practice, not during a live performance, they sometimes tend to shake. It is not too bad but noticeable and sometimes it makes practice difficult. It comes and go's and usually starts up early--but no one I ask says shaky hands stem from not being warmed up. I was wondering if anyone has any experience or knowledge on this.

Thank you all.

I don't know your age, but maybe it would be good to visit a doc to rule out any medical conditions. It does sound a bit strange. Do you have a proper bench when you practice, could it be an ergonomic issue maybe that is not present when you perform? Bad lighting or sitting position that causes you to be uncomfortable? Or maybe it's the material you practice, you are straining more when you learn as opposed to performing more familiar material? Do you drink too much coffee before practicing or take any medication? Do you try to practice when physically tired?

I think you should keep notes of when the shaking occurs, which pieces, how often exactly, how long does it last, what time of the day and so on. That would help diagnosis.

[dcstudio]

I don't know your age, but maybe it would be good to visit a doc to rule out any medical conditions. It does sound a bit strange.

I agree with Outin.. I am no doctor.. and it certainly could be a medical condition.. except it only happens at the piano..? is that right? 

[immortalbeloved]

It does not happen only when I play piano but the problem is quite bad when I do. I remember once they were just shaking so much in front of my piano teacher it was quite odd.

I had an x-ray and all seemed fine--I feared I had a carpal problem--but I wonder if an x-ray can even identify anything. I would imagine, I think this is the name, a CT scan would help identify a problem--if there is one.

I can barely write with a pen for too long without my hands just giving up (yet I still do good on exams thank goodness!). I sadly have the chicken scratch penmanship (without the medical degree to justify it).

[louispodesta]

Hey all,

Firstly, I tried to find this topic on the forum but found nothing, but if there is one, than I am sorry for opening it up again.

My question surrounds my hands. When I practice, not during a live performance, they sometimes tend to shake. It is not too bad but noticeable and sometimes it makes practice difficult. It comes and go's and usually starts up early--but no one I ask says shaky hands stem from not being warmed up. I was wondering if anyone has any experience or knowledge on this.

Thank you all.

In that I have had tremors my entire 64 years, I am not going to degrade your post by the usual website policy of sharing it with others (when it involves a physical problem), which is what you have - no shame, just reality.

Therefore, I will talk with you over the next couple of days by private message.  With my recent horrific psoriatic arthritis flare-up, it is all I can do to get my four hours of practice in every day.  Otherwise, I would get back to you today.

[dogperson]

It does not happen only when I play piano but the problem is quite bad when I do. I remember once they were just shaking so much in front of my piano teacher it was quite odd.

I had an x-ray and all seemed fine--I feared I had a carpal problem--but I wonder if an x-ray can even identify anything. I would imagine, I think this is the name, a CT scan would help identify a problem--if there is one.

I can barely write with a pen for too long without my hands just giving up (yet I still do good on exams thank goodness!). I sadly have the chicken scratch penmanship (without the medical degree to justify it).

Since your hands are shaking at other times and become weak when writing,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Please go see a doctor, and do not rely on internet advice, no matter how well intentioned.  No one can diagnosis the cause without proper testing.

[outin]

It does not happen only when I play piano but the problem is quite bad when I do. I remember once they were just shaking so much in front of my piano teacher it was quite odd.

I had an x-ray and all seemed fine--I feared I had a carpal problem--but I wonder if an x-ray can even identify anything. I would imagine, I think this is the name, a CT scan would help identify a problem--if there is one.

I can barely write with a pen for too long without my hands just giving up (yet I still do good on exams thank goodness!). I sadly have the chicken scratch penmanship (without the medical degree to justify it).

An x-ray will not be useful if there's no hard tissue damage.

You do need to be examined by a neurologist. It does not sound normal and seems you are still young, since you have exams so it's not something to do with age.

[dcstudio]

Please GO TO A  NEUROLOGIST

I was under the impression this was something that happened at the piano only...

it could be carpal tunnel... but it doesn't sound like it.

well meaning members here--no matter how long-suffering--are not doctors.