The Disabled Player

Was it Schumann who injured his hand while trying to improve his skill with exercises such that he could no longer play the piano to his former ability? So that he devoted much more time to his composing?

I have a similar problem – a paralysed right little finger from Judo such that I cannot now play the Recorder or the Bassoon properly. My Violin playing was not greatly affected – I would never have been a virtuoso anyway! Even though it is my dearly beloved favourite instrument.

I came up with two solutions

Using only the left hand
Changing to a better suited instrument

Using only One Hand

The upper half of a woodwind instrument provides a limited but workable range of chromatic coverage. Capable of giving quite a lot of satisfactory musical experience for the one-handed player. It can be supported by the other hand if present, or alternatively by the music stand or tabletop.

I have written much (hopefully) entertaining items for the one-handed Recorder player. See the link to 'Publications' and several pieces in my flagship package “Wind In The Woods”, both found on the main menu to the left.

Where appropriate the right hand will have to be used, holding at the upper end of the instrument – with all the mental transpositions required!

My own Recorder compositions often require holding a second instrument under the armpit for a fast change to a contrasting pitch and tone range. I often hum a sustained note as I make the change.

In my own case, I can (more or less) manage the C descant (soprano) recorder, minus the use of the little finger. But I get much more musical satisfaction by playing my Bb descant. Yes, such are indeed available, with a much better tone than the C. If playing with an accompanist you would of course transpose, but if by yourself it does not matter (unless you have Perfect Pitch!).

Changing to a better suited instrument

I chose the French Horn, where there is scarcely a need for the right hand little finger. I am also learning (at age 75) the trombone, primarily to be familiar with its technicalities and more so, to be the better aware of its multiphonic possibilities. While the horn does indeed require fingers on one hand at least, the trombone does not. A strap attached to a forearm would permit adequate functionality.

I will mention here that the recorder firm of Dolmetsch can provide recorders for special needs. Visit the site

Prevention

It is vitally important to catch future problems at the earliest possible stage. I speak as a Therapist, with my speciality the spine and nerve-related disabilities – such as my own little finger.

If a hand is missing, that’s it, of course. Other than straps. But there are many other threats: paralysis, fractures, Dupuytrens contracture where the fingers claw back into the palm, and more. A search on "Dupuytrens" brings up http://www.dupuytrenscenter.com

It is not widely known, but the underlying cause of this contracture is frequently a neck problem interfering with the nerve supply to the tendons of the fingers resulting in this dysfunction. It is most important to visit a competent osteopath regularly to find and minimise developing problems. Just as we keep our motor cars regularly serviced, so we need to with our bodies.

Note: the Danger of Chiropractic

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I cannot recommend a chiropractor for this overall care. In 1992 I visited a chiropractor regarding my neck (= finger problem). He ‘adjusted’ my lumbar spine – in the wrong direction, crushing my vertebrae and partially paralysing both my legs. So that I cannot walk properly and have constant discomfort.

I would add that I qualified as a therapist in 1968, have my own Clinic and have a diploma in osteopathy and other therapies, as well as considerable training in chiropractic itself. So be warned! Many are good, but most certainly there are dangerous ones out there. You won’t know till it’s too late! I sued mine and won.

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I know this is a music site, but while mentioning some health issues let me take this opportunity to remind you that

Every Daffodil Is Yellow!

Genetic factors often run deep. The daffodils in my lawn at the moment will still flower yellow in twenty years time. If you or your partner have any specific illnesses – say diabetes, thyroid, cardiac, high blood pressure, arthritis or whatever - there could be a strong possibility that your children, your grand-children, your great-grandchildren and on down your line could follow a similar inherited genetic pattern. It is so important to find these tendencies at the very earliest stage, long before they become established and uncorrectable. We do this all the time in my Clinic. Medical doctors so often wait till it is too late.

I am not sure whether tinnitus – ringing in the ears – has a genetic background. But it certainly can be very distressing to musicians. Several possible factors (among others) can be a strain of the temporal bone at the side of the head, a strain at the topmost cervical vertebra, and even a strain of the tarsal bones in the foot. These are often the realm of the cranial therapist, and he should be consulted at the very onset of early warning signs.

The therapies we employ include cranial therapy, manipulations, acupuncture, applied kinesiology and iridology. This latter is particularly important as markings in the eye can often indicate the very earliest stages of a future problem.

Every Daffodil Is Yellow!

Today, tomorrow and in twenty years time!