Forearm Tension

[rovis77]

I am wondering how any of you deal with this issue, or better yet, avoid it. I started playing 5 hours a day recently and I find that my forearm becomes tense and fatigued, a similar feeling I get if I am lifting weights and I feel that "burn.

Am I using the wrong muscles, how can I avoid this?

[brogers70]

The muscles that control your fingers and wrist are mostly in the forearm, so that's where the ache is likely to be. The thing is, normally your wrist and fingers should not be working against much resistance, so, unlike the case of weightlifting, you should not feel a burn.

Here's a possible explanation. Whenever you use a muscle, say you flex your arm, if you want to make the motion of flexion smooth and precise, you (unconsciously) activate the opposing extensor muscles. That's normal - whenever you move, the muscles opposing the motion are weakly activated to help you control the motion. The thing is that a variety of things, mental stress or cold, for example, can lead you to (again unconsciously) activate the opposing muscles more than necessary, but that means the original muscles have to work harder and you can get into a bad cycle in which you end up with opposing muscles working too hard against one another, so instead of a smooth precise motion you end up just wasting energy in an isometric contraction. That could give you a burn.

Interesting, maybe, but not necessarily helpful. You still have to find a way to relax the tension. Take breaks, practice slowly, practice in rhythms - long-short-short-short-short-short-long, and try to fully relax on the "long"s. There are tons of videos about reducing tension on-line. I've found Josh Wright pretty helpful, so I'll link to one of his - there are lots more you can find by poking around.

[lelle]

Yes, with the right technique your forearms will not be burning after playing difficult music. Physically it should feel pretty good, not strenous, to play.

[pianistavt]

Here are some suggestions:
- do some warm up away from piano:
- - arm/wrist stretches
- - do a rapid shake out movement of the arms, here's a YT example:
- - -

- - - (do even more vigorously)
- keep the practice room warm / wear warm long sleeve shirts
- keep your hands warm - periodic hot water
- rest after a period of intense practice

Epsom salt baths are good for muscle and joint issues (as it says on the packaging but I also know from experience)

[dizzyfingers]

I am wondering how any of you deal with this issue, or better yet, avoid it. I started playing 5 hours a day recently and I find that my forearm becomes tense and fatigued, a similar feeling I get if I am lifting weights and I feel that "burn.

Am I using the wrong muscles, how can I avoid this?

Rovis77.   Are you still having issues?  Did you try any of the above suggestions?

[pianos-galore]

It sounds like you’re engaging muscles more intensely than needed, which is a common issue for pianists, especially when increasing practice time. Tension often builds up when we use the larger muscles in the forearm rather than focusing on the smaller muscles in the fingers and relaxed movements in the hand and arm.

To reduce this tension, try these tips:

Frequent Breaks: Take short breaks every 30–45 minutes. This will give your muscles a chance to rest and reduce cumulative strain.

Mindful Relaxation: Between pieces, consciously release any tension in your arms, hands, and shoulders. You might even try shaking them out gently to reset.

Arm Weight Technique: Rather than pressing down with your fingers alone, try to use the natural weight of your arm to depress the keys. This way, the force is shared rather than isolated in your forearm muscles.

Finger Independence: Spend a few minutes on finger exercises that encourage independence and control. Hanon exercises can be useful here, but make sure to play them slowly and with minimal tension.

Stretching and Warm-ups: Gentle wrist, hand, and forearm stretches before and after playing can help. Warming up your hands with a few gentle scales or arpeggios can also prepare your muscles for longer practice sessions.

If the tension persists or worsens, consider working with a teacher or a physical therapist who can help you adjust your technique to prevent strain.
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Pianos-Galore www.pianos-galore.com: The Resource Site for Piano Enthusiasts

[rachmaninoff_forever]

1.  You’re playing too much
Or…
2.  You’ll just get used to it
Or…
3.  You’re not using the rest of your body when you play

[lostinidlewonder]

It sounds like you’re engaging muscles more intensely than needed, which is a common issue for pianists, especially when increasing practice time. Tension often builds up when we use the larger muscles in the forearm rather than focusing on the smaller muscles in the fingers and relaxed movements in the hand and arm.

To reduce this tension, try these tips:

Frequent Breaks: Take short breaks every 30–45 minutes. This will give your muscles a chance to rest and reduce cumulative strain.

Mindful Relaxation: Between pieces, consciously release any tension in your arms, hands, and shoulders. You might even try shaking them out gently to reset.

Arm Weight Technique: Rather than pressing down with your fingers alone, try to use the natural weight of your arm to depress the keys. This way, the force is shared rather than isolated in your forearm muscles.

Finger Independence: Spend a few minutes on finger exercises that encourage independence and control. Hanon exercises can be useful here, but make sure to play them slowly and with minimal tension.

Stretching and Warm-ups: Gentle wrist, hand, and forearm stretches before and after playing can help. Warming up your hands with a few gentle scales or arpeggios can also prepare your muscles for longer practice sessions.

If the tension persists or worsens, consider working with a teacher or a physical therapist who can help you adjust your technique to prevent strain.
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ChatGPT strikes again. Funny when people use it and don't quote it.