Cold fingers and ability to play

[rovis77]

I've found that having cold fingers when playing piano does nothing but cause trouble for me. Can't flex the fingers as well, can't get them upto speed etc, hence messy playing ensues. Does this also happen to you?

[outin]

I've found that having cold fingers when playing piano does nothing but cause trouble for me. Can't flex the fingers as well, can't get them upto speed etc, hence messy playing ensues. Does this also happen to you?

Only when I come in from below 0C and try to play immediately.
 
It might take a while to get the fingers "waken up" for fast accurate playing (which I think is actually an issue of synchronising the mind and the body), but it has nothing to do with finger coldness. Bigger issue for me is the upper body and wrist stiffness. On a bad day it can make playing difficult at first.

Since you don't really use finger muscles to play, I think you should look into other parts of your body for reason of this stiffness as well as your technique and what you are trying to play.

[louispodesta]

I've found that having cold fingers when playing piano does nothing but cause trouble for me. Can't flex the fingers as well, can't get them upto speed etc, hence messy playing ensues. Does this also happen to you?

Yes, I have answer to your situation.  It is not a problem.

Please respond to me by PM.

Thank you for your inquiry and its associated honesty.

[leemond2008]

Yes, I have answer to your situation.  It is not a problem.

Please respond to me by PM.

Thank you for your inquiry and its associated honesty.

I was just about to say that my flat gets terribly cold in the winter and I sometimes suffer from this, I was just wondering why you only wanto reply via PM, is the answer to warm fingers a secret or would you be able to sahre it in the main forum?

[jimroof]

Since you don't really use finger muscles to play, I think you should look into other parts of your body for reason of this stiffness as well as your technique and what you are trying to play.

Ummm... when I play the piano I am pretty sure my fingers move quite a bit.  Trombone was a different story...

The muscles that move the fingers are not all IN the fingers.  There are flexors all throughout the forearm, both opening and closing the fingers.  Cold is a definite issue with velocity.  If I sense cold in my hands and arms it affects my playing.  

And, do not forget that all muscle movement comes to us courtesy of chemical reactions and electrical impulses.  When cold, chemical reactions are slower.  That is why one of the signs of hypothermia is slurred speech and a loss of coordination.  I have been so cold in the past that I could not sign my name.  I used to do aerial photography out of a helicopter and one time I flew for 4 hours in what would be the equivalent of going 115 MPH in a Volkswagen Beetle with THE DOOR REMOVED when the temperature was about -6 celsius and a brutal wind chill from the open door.  Did that for 2.5 hours, gassed up at an airport, then went for another 1.5 hours.  Came back to write the pilot a check and I had to wait ten minutes before I could sign my name.  

[outin]

Ummm... when I play the piano I am pretty sure my fingers move quite a bit.  Trombone was a different story...

The muscles that move the fingers are not all IN the fingers.  There are flexors all throughout the forearm, both opening and closing the fingers.  Cold is a definite issue with velocity.  If I sense cold in my hands and arms it affects my playing.  

Exactly and this is why one should look at the whole playing mechanism instead of just the temperature of the fingers. Right now it's -20c here and my fingers are really cold, but when one lives in warmer climate the finger temperature is usually not the main issue...

[tenk]

Simple solution: fill a large bowl or basin with hot water and soak up to your forearms for 5-10 minutes before starting your practice session. Dry off and and begin.

If your house/flat is cold that even playing does not keep you warmed up, just repeat every 30-45 minutes, which is about when you should take a concentration break anyway 

[pianoguy711]

I have this problem.  My fingers get cold very fast and this does affect my playing i.e. I can't play as fast, lack of control. 

tips for this are running hands under warm water, wearing gloves, and if you need to warm up your hands quickly  try putting your hands directly on your core (chest/abdomen area) for a few minutes<-- I know this might sound ridiculous but it works! your core will always be warmer than your extremities on cold days.

[louispodesta]

THERE ARE NO MUSCLES IN YOUR FINGERS!!!

Telephone/contact any MD, DO, or Chiropractor on this planet, and they will concur.  Accordingly, your problem is no different than any other athlete, which is what you are.

Except, they are dealing with ligaments, tendons (which you do have in your fingers), and also muscles (which you do not have in your fingers!).  In regards your problem, this is what I do, and it all depends on the outside temperature and your inside associated internal temperature and humidity.

That means:  1)  How do your fingers feel after your daily morning or afternoon exercise routine.  Oh no!  What does that have to do with how your fingers fee before practicing? . . . a lot!

2)  After this analysis, if your fingers are still cold, the you can run them under very warm water, or sometimes a blow dryer.  Whatever you utilize, do not over do this process because it can dry out the hands and fingers and result in cracks or fissures in the tips of your fingers which is not good.

3)  Once again, the coldness of your fingers is directly related to the outside and inside environment of where you live, and also what you have done directly before your practice session.

[louispodesta]

My apologies for this omission.  The first paragraph my first sentence should contain the second, which is:  "They consist exclusively of bone, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage."

[bernadette60614]

Are they always cold? Or cold just recently?

I"m in the Midwest and our piano is in my office in the lowest level.  It can get very cold down there.  I turn on a space heater 3 hours before I play.  I also wear fingerless gloves.

If you have cold fingers all the time, this may be a circulatory issue.  I am not qualified to address this on the medical level, but 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise at a moderate level helps me keep my circulation in good shape.

Take care.