Piano Injury – Pianodao

Preventing Injury in Pianists

Supporting Your Piano Pathway
Written by Andrew Eales

The problem of musicians developing injuries related to their playing has received much attention in recent years. Happily, we can learn from a growing body of performing arts medicine research, and the insights of respected pioneers who have devoted their expertise to the fields of piano technique and movement retraining.

A systematic review (2018) of existing research into the prevalence of injury makes sobering reading, suggesting that up to three quarters of all keyboard players report experiencing musculoskeletal pain. And sadly we will all most likely have encountered players who suffered injuries such as tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and dystonia.

Avoiding injury is clearly a key concern. However, increased awareness of this important issue has been accompanied by confusion and disagreement between pianists and educators both about the causes of injury, and what constitutes “good technique”.

Dangerous Piano Practice

Fermata • Pause and Reflect

Supporting Your Piano Pathway
Reflection by Andrew Eales

I wish that I could tell you that playing the piano is a completely benign and entirely safe activity. But that would be untrue, because although practice is not inherently dangerous, it can certainly pose challenges and potential dangers to any player, both mental and physical.

Physically, the risks of tension, fatigue and repetitive strain injury are a common concern. Mentally, musicians face fears of inadequacy, self-doubt and performance anxiety, all of which can combine to affect our practice and general well-being.

It is only by acknowledging and addressing these concerns and challenges that we can cultivate a healthy and productive practice routine…

Technique, or Dogma?

Fermata • Pause and Reflect

Supporting Your Piano Pathway
Reflection by Andrew Eales

In his wonderful book Piano Notes: The Hidden World of the Pianist (2002) the American concert pianist, author and polymath Charles Rosen writes:

“There is no agreement on how to hold the hand at the piano: most children are taught to curve their fingers and place the wrist in a middle position, neither too low nor too high, but of course playing rapid octaves generally demands a higher position for wrist and arm. Horowitz played with his fingers stretched flat and José Iturbi used to hold his wrist below the level of the keyboard.
This variety is the reason that almost all books on how to play the piano are absurd, and that any dogmatic system of teaching technique is pernicious. Most pianists, in fact, have to work to some extent in late adolescence to undo the effects of their early instruction and find an idiosyncratic method that suits them personally.
Not only the individual shape of the hand counts, but even the whole corporal shape. That is why there is no optimum position for sitting at the piano, in spite of what many pedagogues think.”

Avoiding injury: a fresh outlook

Fermata • Pause and Reflect

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.

Simple fixes for easing piano pain

Pianodao Wellbeing • Mind, Body, Soul

Supporting Your Piano Pathway
Written by Andrew Eales

Bernice (a real person, but not her real name) is a 76-year-old learner who took up the piano about 5 years ago. She has made steady progress, is now early intermediate level, and particularly enjoys playing traditional classical favourites.

The article which follows is based on Bernice’s true story, her lessons with me, and easy adjustments which have helped her overcome discomfort when playing. She has given permission for this to be shared in order to similarly help and encourage others.