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Hey Piano Teacher forum

I was hoping i could get some help here - you see my problem is:

So over the holiday i have been playing a bit much ( 4 hours each day maybe) and now when i play, my little finger goes out of place...so its like i have to click it back? if you understand. :S Well i just wondered is it my technique that is wrong? Is there anyway i can stop it from dislocating? Or should i just stop playing so much?

Oh and - my little finger (pinky) hurts when i stop playing but then i just twist it and it is ok after a while.
Any help is much appreciated Thanks in advance

I have a pupil who also has this problem. Keep it well curved when using it. I wouldn`t think `clicking` it in and out is a healthy option.

No no, its after i play, it just hurts, then i just kind of twist it around a bit and push it to the side until i hear a click and then it doesn't hurt anymore. :S

Are you straightening it as you play?

I agree, the "clicking" is an indication that something is under tremendous tension and is generally not a good thing. This is different from "popping" or "cracking" knuckles, which is just a release of air in the joints. The increase in time has only exaggerated the problem. It will need to be addressed by a teacher. Are you studying with someone? Now would be a good time to look for one, and in the meantime, don't play as much.

When I read posts like this, I cringe. I feel like screaming STOP, you're abusing yourself, and it's out of ignorance.

Every student I teach, my focus is on their hands, arms, fingers, wrists, that is, their playing mechanism. My ears can hear the music, and I know the literature, so I don't need to stare at the notes. I live in fear that I'll do something to ruin their playing mechanism or nerves (although I haven't yet, it's something I would be mortally ashamed of for the rest of my life).

I can understand how, if you've had one or more teachers who don't have a clue (are they really teachers or just poseurs?) why you and others shy away from paying for teachers, but there really are good, knowledgeable teachers out there, you've just got to find them.

IMO, from what you've told us, you need to stop playing, cold turkey, until you can find someone who can work one on one with you and correct whatever it is you're doing, and probably a dozen other not so obvious problems. This shouldn't be happening.

O.o um... wow.. well can i just point out that it happened just 2 days ago, and the umm piano ?course? doesn't start until 20th august or something, I will ask my teacher then if it hasn't worked out, but i just want to play over the holiday without ruining my hand

Also maybe I'm a bit stupid but... what do you mean by cold turkey?

Nothing happens "just two days ago." The symptoms became obvious 2 days ago. What ever it is you're doing has been going on a long time.

The American expression, "cold turkey" means to stop immediately, without any assistance.

So you're saying i should stop playing until my lessons start again?

...? also I'm confused.. its a bit hard when reading but as i see it ( I'm most likely wrong) but you sound mad? because if my above sentence sounded rude, i didn't mean to be rude

He's not mad, he is simply trying to emphasize the importance. The more you do this, the worse the injury will get. There should never, *ever* be any pain, soreness, clicking, or other irregular behavior as a result of playing piano. The fact that you are having this happen means there is a problem that needs to be addressed by your teacher. Continuing to play through this will only make it worse, which is why John recommended you stop playing until you can have your teacher help you. No one is being rude here or trying to hurt your feelings, we are concerned. This is very important that you stop.

I'm not mad, I write in short, succinct sentences.

I'm not mad either.

But STOP playing until you have someone who can teach you to play without pain!!!

John is 100% right, as are the others who are saying the same thing.

aaaaaaaaauuugggghhh!! (currawong faints)

Hmm maybe I'm not good at explaining. I'm going to make a reconstruction of me playing

- i play
- then my little finger hurts a little
- I wash my fingers in hot water
- click - just like the click you get when you wake up in the morning and you stretch
- the mild pain fades away.

Oblacone, a small problem can turn into a big problem. It may be a sign of something else that you are doing. Anyone who has ever had a music-related injury is going to shudder. Any of the teachers here will have experience in prevention - if they're reacting, I would pay attention.

(student)

Please wait to play until you have someone check this out. Please.

i guess I just have to.. but might i imply that i played today.. and nothig has happened, It may have been that i didn't have a good hand posture before, which i now tried to make better. Well ill take a break for now...

Good

You won't regret a short break, but you might regret not taking one.