pain, help!

[sharonlovespiano]

aah I don't know it anymore!
Since 4 weeks I have pain in my right-hand shoulder.. I think it involves with my position at the piano, maybe I put up my right shoulder; then it's tightly stretched I think..
What is the right position for your shoulders/back etcetera? Is it just round or hole?
When I can relax I do relax! My therapist adviced me a hole back, but a student said that your back has to be a bit round?
And I don't do sports for a half year, is that bad?
Can anyone advice me?
Thanks!

Sharon

[thierry13]

Never use a shoulder movement when playing, they must stay inactive. The movement/weight must come from the forearm.

[xvimbi]

Never use a shoulder movement when playing, they must stay inactive. The movement/weight must come from the forearm.

Isn't that a bit rigid (pun intended)?

I think all and any joints between the toes to the fingertips, including the shoulder should be used in piano playing. In fact, when one moves the arm forwards or backwards or the elbow in any direction, the shoulder is involved and it must be, because those are movements of the shoulder joint.

Sharon, I just replied in the other forum where you posted your question. You will now get a bunch of double posts. Quite confusing.

[thierry13]

I didn't mean to stay it rigid, just to try to not use it as a main weight factor. The weight must come from the forearm, the shoulders should only move to help other parts of your arms move correctly.

[vera]

Pain in the shoulder may have something to do with how you hold your head. The neck-muscles may be tense. Do stretching exercises like holding your arms horizontally and straight before you, like you are pointing at something, and stretch the shoulders forewards as far as you can. You may also "hang" from something in that position, like a doorknob or the side of a grand piano. Do not raise the shoulder when doing that. I have had the same problem occasionally, and I know it is caused by slumping, while doing a boring job.  Also, put the music more to the left on the stand, so your head has to turn that way slightly. One more thing: try a lower seat, and even consider using a chair with a backrest and use that occasionally. All these things have been helpful to me, but especially the stretching. One other thing that can cause it, is accompanying and having to look to the right frequently, or sitting on the left of the student, when teaching.
It could be something totally different of course. Pain in the shoulder sounds vague. Can you put your finger exactly on the muscle, that is sore? I can, so if you find you cannot, it may be something else.