"their tendons will be flexible..."

Supporting Your Piano Pathway
Reflection by Andrew Eales

The question of why some pianists suffer injuries that are seemingly related to their piano playing is one which has occupied the minds and research of pianists, pedagogues and medics for decades.

The meticulous consideration of “cause and effect” in piano technique by leading teachers and pioneers of performing arts medicine has rewarded us with helpful insights which we must certainly all consider with care.

And we also now have a better understanding of How to Practise, avoiding the many unhealthy, unproductive and obsessive approaches of the past.

But the causes of injury are not merely mechanical, and in more recent years the focus of enquiry has rightly been broadened to include such issues as general health, diet, hydration, sleep, and mental tension.

And allied to this, we simply cannot continue ignoring the link between performance injury and the stressed, anxious mindset that results from and is fostered by today’s unnecessarily competitive approach to piano playing, in which even small children are pitted against each other on stage.

A Holistic Approach

For thousands of years, practitioners of acupuncture and qigong wellbeing exercises have understood that profound bonds exist between our minds, emotions, and physical health. Consider for example this quote from the Guanzi, an ancient Daoist text:

“If people can be upright and calm,
their skin will be relaxed,
their tendons will be flexible,
and their joints will be strong.”

Guanzi, attributed to Guan Yiwu (725-645 BCE), translated Thomas Cleary
The Way of the World: Readings in Chinese Philosophy (2009)

If we accept that there could indeed be a link between our physical condition and a mental state which is “upright and calm”, we need to consider what this might actually mean in practice.

Firstly, and in context, “being upright” is not a question of physical posture, but of personal character. We might liken “being upright” to having a clear conscience, unencumbered by conflict, stress or anxiety.

How about “being calm”? Here we can understand that Guan Yiwu is writing about the individual who is relaxed, focused, at ease with themselves.

There are however many reasons that a piano player might not “be upright and calm”, and little likelihood that any of us could consistently be described as such. Many of these reasons pertain to other aspects of our circumstances, lifestyle, emotional world, and internal beliefs. All the more reason for piano teachers to pay attention to such dynamics.

But some players experience stress, mental anguish and anxieties that relate directly to their piano playing journey, such as:

a fear of ‘going wrong’ or looking bad
competition or exam stress
imposter syndrome
performance-related anxiety
an over-eagerness to please parents or teachers

Any mental tension will invariably manifest as physical tension, at which point the best piano technique and healthiest practice strategies in the world are unlikely to save a player from unwanted musical and physical consequences.

A better outlook

Over the years I have had the privilege of helping numerous players avoid, and in a few cases recover from, piano-related injury. I have observed that technical suggestions are always welcome, bring hope, and can help players rebuild their playing with a healthier foundation.

However, such suggestions must always be given with care, so as never to compound a player’s sense that they have “failed” in some way.

Lambasting anyone, injured or not, for playing or teaching “the wrong way” is hardly helpful or productive. How odd that even among those supposedly committed to a healthy approach, damaging rivalries can sometimes develop, and unhealthy loyalty to one school of thought or another.

I believe that it is actually this same, competitive mindset, expressed in so many excessive, pushy and unpleasant forms, that is the true source of the anxieties that a lot of piano players experience. Performance injuries are more often, I would observe, DONE TO a player than BY THEM.

By transforming our outlook and environment to a less combative one, we can all play a significant part in healing these deeper wounds and scars. An upright, calm approach is a healthy one, and a sure way to avoid injury.

More thoughts on injury prevention