@whoever reads this: I got a chronic tendonitis from playing 3-4 hours on the piano years ago but got rid of it. Trust me, if you read this and you have it right now: I know how that feels like and I personally got rid of it with slow, regular stretches with longer duration (it's called "fascia training" = DE: Faszientraining; "Liebscher & Bracht" have some really good exercises on their channel. Why is stretching important? Because the fascia in the hands, around the wrist and the fingers have to be long enough for the tasks they're supposed to fulfill - otherwise they can get stiff or they already hurt when playing a lot without stretching; that just indicates that they are too short at the moment - the solution in this case is as I mentioned: regular stretching to lengthen them .) - also through regular training of the fingers and thumb 1-2 times a week (pressing them against each other, working with the grip trainer and contracting the thumb etc.), massage and acupressure - and applying a relaxation technique in my piano playing; that's also one of the most important aspects - so Josh already explained several relaxation techniques - thx a lot btw, I'll apply these, too - always looking for ways to maximize healthy habits of playing the piano); "Ilinca Vartic" and "Denis Zhdanov" also have some really good videos on this topic on their channels. I can now practice/play the same amount as before everyday: 3-4 hours - and I'm fine. Again: I've dealt with chronic tendonitis, wrist pain and elbow pain already and I know how awful it feels to be not able to do anything. I Even quit piano playing for several years because I thought it made no sense at all then. So you can imagine how it feels now to be free from all that. You can do it, too - these methods work because they are based on natural principles of the human body. (Note: things like too much salt, sugar or extracted oils in your diet will easily get stuck in the fascia and cause pain - an alkaline nutrition is also important) Kind regards, Jerome
@Goscrew12 Жыл бұрын
thank you for this, I'm struggling with arm hand and fingers pain, and feeling stuck with this, I'm trying my best to recover and keep studying. you gave me hope and I think it is the most important aspect for the recovery. big hug and keep with your healthy playing ✨
@hetchu8 ай бұрын
@@Goscrew12how is it going rn?
@jonrubin606 ай бұрын
@cyba9774 thanks! Just found great Leibscher/Bracht video for finger stretching! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mdxdaJp0zr3Sk6c.htmlsi=r24fy9mErSuoQf1G
@tigress1girl3 ай бұрын
Thank you very much for explaining everything in such details! Could you please share a link to the fascia training? I didn't manage to find the right one on the channel you suggested.
@brettmclellan83183 жыл бұрын
Thank you! I have been on the recovery from a left-hand injury and this information is great! I have been using playing the piano as physical therapy benchmarks.
@NoahKellman3 жыл бұрын
Hey Brett, really glad it was helpful. I'm happy to offer whatever advice I can. Never fun having an injury. Hope you feel better soon!
@Sitbon082 жыл бұрын
Hi Noah. Thanks for sharing your story. I had episodes of tendinitis for 10 years as a classical pianist, so can relate. Any sort of pain is horrible. Are you aware of the pedagogy of Dorothy Taubman? If not do check her out. Ms Taubman has now passed with her work championed by Edna Golandsky who has her own YTube channel and webpage, as well as the Golandsky Institute. Things didn’t really changed for me until I incorporated Feldenkrais and Alexander Technique, warming up away from the piano and most of all, sitting balanced on my sit bones and using my torso to support my hands and arms. Years and years of lessons but hardly anything said about the role of the torso. It changed everything for me.
@NoahKellman6 ай бұрын
Sorry I missed this comment. Thanks so much for the valuable advice!!
@musodave3 жыл бұрын
Thanks Noah for specifically addressing healthy piano technique, and your recommendations are great. I think in the heat of the moment and with the desire to play louder & faster technique can go out the window. Playing piano is definitely a whole body experience. I can personally vouch for yoga as a really great total body conditioning practice. Keep up the great work.
@NoahKellman3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment- awesome I'm definitely going to check out yoga myself! And yeah... so easy to throw technique out the window. It's funny, same thing happens with piano, working out, video games... when you're struggling to do something, or in the heat of the moment, good form just disappears. If we want to stay healthy and operate at pro level, we need to keep that good form, regardless of whether it's piano or even Call of Duty ... :p
@damianwilliams26703 жыл бұрын
Noah, I am so thrilled that you took the time to address this issue. As a young musician I use to practice relentlessly, 4 plus hours a day. The pain in my forearms got so bad at one point I could not tie my own shoes. I love the analogy to being a pro athlete. I think its spot on. In fact at one point in my career I use to ice my arms down after each gig to reduce inflammation, similar to an athlete taking an ice bath after a game or rigorous practice. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for putting this out there, I think this is an under appreciated aspect of playing the piano or any instrument for that matter, one that many can benefit from hopefully before the damage is done. I'm loving the channel. So much on point information. Keep up the good work and again, thank you.
@NoahKellman5 ай бұрын
Hey Damien sorry for getting back to you so late. Appreciate your thoughtful, and I’m so glad that you enjoyed this video. Even since this video, I’ve unfortunately gone through more injury and learned quite a bit more, so I will probably make an update somewhat soon. Hope you are well!
@damianwilliams26705 ай бұрын
Thanks for the reply Noah. Honestly it had been so long I almost forgot I wrote you! At any rate I’m so sorry to hear you’ve gone thru more injury recently. I myself have started getting back into my practice regime fairly regularly and have noticed some pain and tightness coming back. I will say that stretching, use of a theragun and alternating heat pad and icing do seem to help. That being said I am still concerned about doing any permanent damage so anything new you have learned will be gratefully received! Looking forward to your follow-up video. All the best.
@NoahKellman5 ай бұрын
@@damianwilliams2670 you should join the discord! I made a channel specifically for talking about pain / injuries. Lots of really good conversation happening there
@MARLONMUSICCHANNEL2 жыл бұрын
I have learned so much when it comes to the appropriate exercises, techniques and even diet for when it comes to playing the piano. I used to have pain in my wrist my playing because I used to play so fast, but now it makes sense. I need to warm up and then do the appropriate stretches to prevent injuries when playing. Thank You 🙏🏾
@maramazone3 жыл бұрын
Great tips Noah and glad you have put this advice out there. I feel like I am not the only one who is experiencing these issues. Also bold to talk about these issues and I am sure there are many professional musicians with these issues but they may not have the courage to talk about them. But thank you for opening up about these things and I will aim to put these tips into practice now in my own playing!
@febilogi3 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for your stories and tips, my friend... I really respect your videos
@NoahKellman3 жыл бұрын
Thanks, Febi. Appreciate the comment.
@facumartig9953 жыл бұрын
This advice is SO helpful and so necessary for all pianists. Last year, in the middle of the pandemic, my time at the piano/computer/phone increased enormously (and I almost stopped working out) and I started suffering some pain or maybe "fatigue" in my right arm (then in the left too). I've visited many doctors since then and they couldn't give me any real solution, so the fatigue kept appearing. I've made a lot of research and these are the methods that have been really relieving my pain/fatigue a lot: - Less phone usage (*specially in weird postures, like using it while lying in bed facing upwards with my hands holding the phone*) - Better posture while using my laptop (Macbook Pro - *I figured out that it doesn't have the best ergonomics.. specially the repetitive movements in the trackpad*) - Sleep well (>=8 hours) - Start my day with some minutes of pouring my hands in warm water (not so hot) followed by light stretches. I think I will have to take a look at the diet to improve my condition even more... and give more importance to working out too (because it's true that you start feeling better while playing when your core is well-trained...) Thank you really much Noah for sharing all of these tips! This issue have been occupying my mind since the moment I started experiencing this things, and it's really soothing to know that a first-class pianist like you also deals with this and manage to keep going :)
@NoahKellman3 жыл бұрын
Hey Facu, thank you for sharing your story as well. Yeah, I actually had a full year where I couldn't play at all! It was scary, but in the long run I came out even stronger with better ears and having learned so much about posture and technique. Following these tips for me really changed my life. I'm really happy if any of this information is helpful to you!
@57Netty8 ай бұрын
I wondered why I was getting pain in my forearm and was worried about having to stop playing for a while, read this and it confirmed a sneaking suspicion - using the phone in bed, lying down and reading upwards. Thanks so much for your post.
@jasonbarrette49803 жыл бұрын
I love this video so much! I’ve been dealing with tendinitis in both of my arms for the past year, and I’ve had to implement every one of these steps throughout the process. I’m so glad this video exists so that people don’t have to learn this the hard way! This is a conversation that is Not getting as much attention as it should be.
@NoahKellman3 жыл бұрын
Completely agree, Jason! Glad to hear your healing process aligns with these tips, and I hope you feel back to 100% soon!
@melodypuddingАй бұрын
Damn … I needed to hear this. Thank you!!
@hshlom3 жыл бұрын
Great video! I've played piano off and on my whole life, but the last maybe 10 years, the day after I play, the back of my neck gets sore and I get a headache. If I have a gig coming up, I need to slowly build up my stamina, build my piano muscles back. It's very frustrating because I always thought I would retire and play lots More piano, but this may prevent me from doing so!
@Blondesax3 жыл бұрын
I don't know why there aren't more videos about this. Same as lots of other people here. Left hand injury for me playing piano and guitar. I put a lot of pressure on my pinky and thumb while at the piano. Gotta slowly get back after injury.
@mathis.lucasmusic24185 ай бұрын
very good insights... thanks for that, it's been about two years now that whenever i play my little finger and my elbow hurt a lot, i've sometimes stepped away from piano for weeks and months... But i soon as i come back playing even following thoses advices the pain is still ther and i'm really desperate about it... I c'ant even try or think about learning new challinging technical pieces anymore
@NoahKellman5 ай бұрын
Man I hear that! We just started a big discussion about this in the discord server. Feel free to join if you want some more tips
@DojoOfCool3 жыл бұрын
When I was a music school guitar performance we had a talk from a doctor who was a guitar player on how to care for body. Things I still do that might help on piano too it to get blood into the fingers before playing. Simply squeezing ends of the fingers one by one helps draw blood into the fingers. Also LIGHTLY stretching finger back. Hold forearm up in front of you tilted out a little so hand flops open. Now take one finger from other hand and use it to LIGHTLY push down a couple times on end of finger from other hand. Then do each finger, then switch hands and repeat. Now this time pull that arm up so hand flops back so your looking at the top of your hand. This time you're going to LIGHTLY pull down on each finger a couple times. This help loosen up the hand and wrist. Also when I feel tight before playing I just go to bathroom and wash my hands in warm water it helps get the blood flowing into the hands. But the most important this is learn to listen to your body slight pains or discomfort are sending you signal you're doing something it doesn't like. Better to catch those things before body decides to really send to a wakeup signal. Also when having a problem regular doctors aren't always good at helping you can find some that work with musicians. If you can't find a doctor who understand musicians Sport injury doctors are you next best choice. Also there have been book by musician doctors on helping with warmups and avoiding injury.
@NoahKellman3 жыл бұрын
Really interesting, thanks so much for these recommendations! I can imagine this helping as long as you do it extremely carefully. I've always found that it's really easy to overstretch, or get too excited and cause problems. Stretching should definitely (in my opinion) be something done very, very gradually, slowly and carefully. I like that you said "LIGHTLY" because the carefulness is so important!
@marksderberg70433 жыл бұрын
Really nice video. I've been having pain in my right hand for the last two months, and also thought I might never play piano at full strength again. Will definitely take your tips into consideration. Thanks!
@astrogersunited5389 Жыл бұрын
Same here any tips I started noticing these while playing fast octaves. The hands are so stiff. Any advice?
@balladin9200 Жыл бұрын
@@astrogersunited5389 use the energy from pressing into the keys to bounce out of it going to the next octave. So what not to do is press the keys then *manually* and only move your hands with your muscles (your fingers stay the same ofcourse). Spring out of it like a trampoline with as much use of the previous energy. If you don't do that the tension can't release which causes stiff and damaged fingers. Advice I got when playing Chopin octave etude from my teacher. Just like a diminished chord that just wants to resolve it's tension, you reset when going to the next octave instead of racking up fatigue and injuries like I am doing
@axeldeeker56443 жыл бұрын
Very helpful video! I usally don't think about these subjects because I've not had any problems so far, I will certainly think about them more often to prevent any future injuries
@NoahKellman3 жыл бұрын
Hey Axel, you're really lucky not to have had these issues! But agreed-- definitely worth thinking about in advance to prevent them.
@sergioandresnavarrogomez74127 ай бұрын
Thank you Noah for sharing your experience with tendonitis, I'm currently changing my habits and I hope to come back playing soon.
@erikgoodman379610 ай бұрын
I´m one year in - and I really love to play and exercise to play the piano. I was used to push through from my gym training and tried the same with some piano drills - but I learned through pain that this will not work with our sensible muscles that are used when we play the piano. So from now on, the moment I feel a slight pain in a workout drill in my wrist or forearm I will stop immediately and shake my arms.
@giroudsandstorm29232 ай бұрын
thank you very much. you are very knowledgable
@karenstephens20473 жыл бұрын
At last! Somebody who answers these questions! Bursitis has been a major issue for me and Yoga every morning helps so much, as well as some back and shoulder strengthening. I can now play my baby grand without fear ! In moderation! Great to hear your story Noah. Very encouraging!😀🎹
@NoahKellman3 жыл бұрын
Hey Karen, your story is encouraging too! Really glad you're able to play. I'm considering making yoga a more normal part of my routine as well. Appreciate you sharing your experience.
@davidwhite29493 жыл бұрын
Another super video, Noah! One other tip I can share with chat: the wrists should not be too high or too low Either can cause tendinitis Thanks!
@tracyvick34842 ай бұрын
I am new to keyboarding. I was looking for some tips on hurting hands, shoulders, and neck. Thank you for the advice and to know I'm not alone. I'm going to try these techniques
@MathieuPrevot6 ай бұрын
I think you provided many excellent pieces of advice. I reached the same conclusions after years and several "injuries". I wonder: for the workout: what specifically do you do ? Do you also do something else (eg., yoga) physically ? and massages ?
@idk-lf3dh6 ай бұрын
I have been getting back into playing and for the longest time I had muscle pain on the back kf my right shoulder for the longest time . I finally did some stretches today and some warm up and it's gone down a lot
@NoahKellman6 ай бұрын
Oh that’s really great to hear! Stay consistent 👍
@davidd7738 Жыл бұрын
So being a pianist is singlehandedly making me want to be healthier all around
@NoahKellman Жыл бұрын
100% 💪💪💪
@samrogers95153 ай бұрын
thank you!
@copernicus99 Жыл бұрын
Hi Noah, love your channel and greatly appreciate you sharing your wisdom. I believe my tendonitis developed from my hand being bent to the side relative to my wrist. Any thoughts on how to keep the hands positioned so that they are maintained roughly perpendicular to the keyboard and wrist across all registers? Thanks!
@fatestarne26943 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for this! This past school year I've been struggling so much with random pain and issues, and really working on my posture and working out has improved it steadily. Thanks for the advice and I will definitely try these out to see what works!
@NoahKellman3 жыл бұрын
Of course. Hope you get over that pain, and please let me know how it goes!
@abariska Жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing your experience!
@marcopepe40463 жыл бұрын
Hi Noah, many thanks for your precious advice.
@NoahKellman3 жыл бұрын
You’re welcome, Marco!
@jillwofsey5903 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing this video. Very helpful!!
6 ай бұрын
Thank you
@sonicacoustics91763 жыл бұрын
Awesome content! Really helpful! :)
@adriandiaz72613 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much for your recommendations. They are all so useful!!! Thanks again!!!
@NoahKellman3 жыл бұрын
You're welcome, Adrian!
@lingling32992 жыл бұрын
Great tipps! Thanks so much.
@maritovl113 жыл бұрын
!Gracias por compartir esta información! Es de gran ayuda. Saludos desde Argentina
@NoahKellman3 жыл бұрын
De nada! Me alegro que te ayuda.
@sanfran224 Жыл бұрын
wonderful , informative video thanks for the effort
@bobsmitj51363 жыл бұрын
Loving the videos Noah. Make more collabs with Chad!
@hockeyrd996 ай бұрын
I kept getting left hand injuries from stretching to reach 10ths. Then I wouldn't be able to play for a month. Now, if I can't reach it, I'll invert or leave a note out. I'm also finding that I'm getting bulging veins on my hands... looked it up and all I could find is "good news is there's nothing wrong with you, it's just a sign of age"! lol
@tribodaterra46802 жыл бұрын
Awesome man!!!!!!
@sysmch3 жыл бұрын
Great advice!!
@TheFir1963 жыл бұрын
No. 6 also applies when using mouse for a long time.
@SelectahPegman3 жыл бұрын
Yeahi, I appreciate this
@bracenetwork3 жыл бұрын
appreciate this video it's on time for me at least, thanks dude
@NoahKellman3 жыл бұрын
For sure, glad to help.
@theoooms72773 жыл бұрын
Interesting; I especially liked de “Sophia Rosoff” “reaching the extremes exercise”. And also the importance of good quality sleep is so overlooked
@NoahKellman3 жыл бұрын
So true! Thanks for the comment, Theo.
@douglashearne2902 ай бұрын
My wrist flexors are really painful right now .How long does it take to heal?
@cianspills78983 жыл бұрын
This might sound weird but I also had the same issue for over a year, couldn’t play guitar or piano at all with my left hand. After a year of no improvement I thought I had to get surgery... then i fasted for 3 days only lots and lots of water, and the pain completely went away and never came back... very strange but that’s how I fixed it!
@karenstephens20473 жыл бұрын
I’m going to try this one!
@NoahKellman3 жыл бұрын
Wow, that's really interesting. I wonder if it did have to do with some kind of inflammation or reaction to food? In any case, really glad you were able to solve it!
@balladin9200 Жыл бұрын
I swear every topic that focuses on improving an aspect in our lives gets the "sleep well, eat well and workout" copout answer, yes they do affect a lot of things positively, but if you're focusing on preventing then show the right technique in this video
@NoahKellman Жыл бұрын
There’s nothing cop out about that answer, especially in the context of music. Speaking from personal experience, a lot of musicians who experience piano don’t think about how their overall physical health affects them until it’s too late. Additionally, there are plenty of other tips in this video, including a chapter on posture. Hope it helps
@balladin9200 Жыл бұрын
@@NoahKellman compared to the root of the problem which is technique all that stuff is rudimentary. Moving your torso in alignment with the area of playing was a good tip though thanks, better than having sideways wrist. I was just hoping you delved deeper in that Alexander the great technique
@heifie25402 ай бұрын
6 ) lay your phone on the table, while texting. It helps a lot .
@malcolmkogut3 жыл бұрын
I had bilateral long flexor tendonitis and was paralyzed with pain for two years and Dorothy Taubman had me pain free in one hour.
@NoahKellman3 жыл бұрын
Hey Malcolm, I'm not surprised. That's awesome to hear! Her methods are fantastic.
@theofficialdowbrain3 жыл бұрын
I have some of the Taubman and Golandsky material. Tell me more about this one hour! What was the motion you were doing that made your tendonitis so bad?
@kaareej Жыл бұрын
How? Please share
@malcolmkogut Жыл бұрын
@@theofficialdowbrain It was long flexor tendonitis and I was pressing into the keybed. She showed me how to depress the keys with gravity. That was the first of MANY errors she corrected over a year.
@malcolmkogut Жыл бұрын
@@kaareej It is too complicated to explain by text. You need to work with a knowledgeable teacher who can see you, hear you and listen to your descriptions of what you feel. I suggest contacting Edna Golandsky in NYC and find out if she has any student teachers in your area. She teaches a week long seminar and has videos but I suggest personal lessons for a few years before you consider those.
@goldmund2902 Жыл бұрын
How have you overcome the year in which you could play the piano? I am in that situation and desperate. I threw myself into my piano practise after suffered a brain hemorrhage. it enabled me to cope with the situation. then tendonitis hit me and now i couldn't make any music in a year. i am worried that it just wont get better. Is there anything i can do about this??
@NoahKellman Жыл бұрын
Hey, please send me an email I’d love to help if I can!
@goldmund2902 Жыл бұрын
@@NoahKellman I send the mail tomorrow, as its late here in germany! Thank you so much for answering!
@nenakkuallrac Жыл бұрын
Hi, what is the name of your nerve condition?
@NoahKellman Жыл бұрын
Hey it’s called Paramyotonia Congenita
@augustbramming4926 Жыл бұрын
what is the condition called?
@augustbramming4926 Жыл бұрын
and thank you so much for the video, lets just say i have dealt with this problem as well!
@benninmann42873 жыл бұрын
The posture part is very important, not just for our playing health but overall health too. We all love Bill Evans but no one should try to emulate him to the degree of copying his famous slouch over the keyboard posture.
@karenstephens20473 жыл бұрын
I always think that too when I see his profile !
@NoahKellman3 жыл бұрын
haha very true, Ben very true!
@speelbergoMF11 ай бұрын
i didn't see any tips for fixing pain if you already have it
@hurricane_hazel7 ай бұрын
He’s not a doctor. Go see one for that.
@speelbergoMF7 ай бұрын
No reason for being flippant
@speelbergoMF7 ай бұрын
@@hurricane_hazel The video literally says steps for fixing pain and the whole video was just talking about avoiding it.
@hurricane_hazel7 ай бұрын
@@speelbergoMF well, if you avoid the pain in the first place- it has been fixed.
@samsouthworth63643 ай бұрын
so all i gotta do is become a vegan gymrat and stay off twitter and my tendonitis gone be aight?
@jorgemariduena19783 жыл бұрын
subtitulo spanish please for latinos
@debsilver45359 ай бұрын
You don't need the distracting jazz in the background .. you are enough