From: basinski@biosci.arizona.edu (Mark Basinski)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar
Subject: Re: RSI (was RE: Fingerpicking)
Date: 12 Aug 92 21:51:00 GMT
Followup-To: alt.guitar,rec.music.makers
Organization: Univ. of Arizona

In article <10154@baird.cs.strath.ac.uk>, cc@cs.strath.ac.uk (Chris Conway)
wrote:
> I have started to feel a little pain in both arms, and am therefore
> concerned about developing Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). In addition, 
> my guitar teacher has been told to give up guitar since he has 
> chronic RSI. He has told me that the vast majority of musicians
> that he knows who have RSI are all classicaly trained. He therefore
> believes that the best way to play now is in the most comfortable
> position that involves as little stress to your hands as possible, as
> long as you can play the music properly.
> 
> I have since consulted a doctor, who also informed me (without prompting)
> that mainly classically trained musicians suffer from this due to
> extreme hand positions.

	It is true that many classically trained musicians develop tendonitis, 
carpal tunnel syndrome, etc., from overuse and from bad use, but this is
not
to say that the majority do. It is extremely important to develop a good
understanding of how your physical mechanism works, especially as applied
to instrumantal technique. I'd say that your guitar teacher does *not* have
such an understanding, seeing as he's developed this himself. Perhaps you
should find another teacher. 
 As a classical guitarist (and teacher) myself, I am quite concerned with 
the development of good technique, which should ideally mean achieving 
maximum results with minimum effort. This is actually pretty hard to get 
a student to do without physical proximity, and this is why you want to be
careful about "the most comfortable position, etc." - what someone thinks 
is most comfortable could be damaging, depending on what they are used to, 
how their body is, etc. The classic example is the use of a footstool by
classical guitarists (to elevate the left leg, to raise the neck of the 
guitar) - this is good for the left hand, but can cause back problems, 
depending on *how* high the footstool is, and also the placement of the 
right foot (Abel Carlevaro has suggested moving the right foot back in 
order to provide a counter force to the raised left foot, to ease back 
strain). The point is, your body is a whole, and often a player may just 
be used to a certain type of position (of the back or shoulders or
whatever) that may place the hands at a disadvantage, and yet still think,
gosh, my 
hands are comfortable, and if you suggest a different body position,
because it is new and unusual, it may at first seem awkward and
uncomfortable.

In any case, if you experience pain, take a break! Playing a musical
instrument
is not like weightlifting, i.e. in our case it should be "pain - no gain!" 
This goes for your practice in general as well as for getting over strain
or
injury. There are plenty of "classically trained" musicians who play
without
injury, and with the proper approach, nearly anyone should be able to do so
as well.  
> 
> One further point. I have only been playing for 18 months. I use a computer
> keyboard during the day, but am certainly not a prolific typist (or guitar
> player). I don't type fast for long periods or anything. I would like
> to hear if anyone has developed RSI with such little cause. BTW I haven't
> been diagnosed as having it yet, I've simply to lay off the guitar for
> a couple of weeks and see what happens.
> 
> 
> Chris.
Make sure that when you are at a computer keyboard that your position (as 
controlled by chair height, keyboard height, etc.) allows you to type with 
a straight wrist, and preferably with wrist support. Also watch for back
strain - that can cause wierdness in any other phyical activity....

M
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Mark Basinski      Internet: basinski@biosci.arizona.edu
Newsgroups: alt.guitar