Monday, February 9, 2015

Drawbacks To Incorrect Violin Wrist Position

By Beryl Dalton


Violinists are one of the most classy instrumentalists of all time. They place the violin right under their chin with the support of their left shoulder and grip the instrument. Then they use a bow to run across the strings to create soothing music.

When it comes to techniques in playing the instrument, the posture is always noted. It is also important to follow the correct and recommended violin wrist position. If the player is not able to do so, there is a danger in acquiring injuries that are either temporary, or worse, permanent. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition most common to stringed instrument musicians.

The carpal tunnel is the space near the wrist formed by carpal bones and ligaments. The median nerves and flexor tendons pass through this space. Flexor tendons are responsible for finger movements necessary in playing the stringed instruments. On the other hand, the median nerves send message to the fingers to feel sensation.

Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve is not functioning well, especially when it is trapped in the carpal tunnel. This may cause excruciating pain and numbness of the fingers, disabling hand and finger movements. Players of stringed instruments, like violinists, need their hands and fingers to function properly in order to grip the instrument properly as well as hit the chords well.

This condition can be triggered with wrong posture and wrist position. The left part of their body is very useful in playing the instrument. Their shoulders will serve as the support of the instrument and their left hands and fingers are used to grip it tightly while they play it. They also need the right amount of strength to perform without mistakes.

There are positions that need to be avoided. The collapsed position, for instance, must be corrected. This position allows the wrist to be bent and the fingers uncomfortably positioned. The proper way is to straighten the wrists instead with the fingers slightly bent nicely.

Professional violinists are often seen as if what they are doing is very easy. They look absolutely graceful and effortless, but before they arrived at that level, they also suffered a great deal of frustrations and failures, or perhaps injuries, muscle strains, or conditions similar to carpal tunnel syndrome. They may also have experienced pain on different parts of their body like shoulders, the back and neck.

To prevent all negative effects to health, proper posture, relaxation, and warm up exercises are recommended. For starters, there are professional and health aware musical instructors who can teach the best techniques from holding the violin to producing beautiful music. It is just a matter of patience and perseverance.

Precision in playing the violin can be acquired with a lot of patience and dedication, taking into consideration physical health. Injuries or even diseases like carpal tunnel syndrome may be experienced without proper adherence to techniques, recommended posture, and exercise. Always remember that the most melodic of all music is produced by a healthy mind, body, and spirit.




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