Part 85
Bit over 15 years a go I was playing Bouzouki in a folk/trad
band called Tre. This was my first band that actually turned in to a
full time job. It was also the first time I found my self playing
live at least four days a week, every week. I am sure if you take your
music seriously, you practice most days of the week, but there is
something completely different about playing live two hour gigs. It
does put lot of stress on your hands (and legs if you're a drummer).
Back in those days, I was young and eager. I didn't pay too much
attention on things like how relaxed my muscles where in my hands and
arms, shoulders, neck and even lower back. Thinking back now, I'd say
they were pretty stiff :-D. After the bands quick success, we all
went our separate ways. I joined Sliotar and swapped over to guitar.
As a result I got lots of session work in the Dublin trad scene. This
was great, I was playing most days of the week. But eventually I
found my self playing between four and six hours a day, six days a
week. At this point I had to become more aware of taking care of my
body as part of my tools. Most of the sessions, musicians would sit
down while playing tunes. For a guitar player this can be a bit of a
problem, without most of us even noticing it. It did took me a while
to realize that when ever possible I'd be better standing while
playing. Sitting down playing acoustic guitar you end up hunching
over the instrument, and definitely put your back in a very unnatural
position. Of course playing classical guitar is completely different
story, where the players are seated in a position with a foot rest
that wont put as much pressure on your back and wrists, but for me
standing up is still the best position. Now in the past three years,
I have concentrated more playing with Sliotar and JPKALLIO.COM. Over
the years I have had few times pains in my wrists and occasional shooting pain in my left hand fingers. I must say I have calluses in
the fingers that by now go quite deep, and what I think causes the
shooting pain is actually the underside of the callus pressing nerve,
not fun... But one thing I have learned, if you have pain, take a
break! Now I don't mean actual muscle pain in your fingers from practicing, this is bit like having sore muscles after a session in a
gym, and is only sign of your fingers getting an exercise. But if you
get any sharp pains in your fingers, joints, wrists or along your
arms, take a break. Maybe even for a few days, until the pain goes a
way. If it does not, or keeps coming back regularly, go to doctor!
Your hands are your instruments, you need to take care of them! Never
play through pain, this is a sure way to early retirement. Also you
might think practicing a difficult piece some times does hurt. The
fact is, if you get a sharp pains, that is your body's way of saying
something is wrong. And another thing, this can really escalate, if
you have a pain lets say in your wrist and you keep on playing, there
are other muscles that will try to compensate for this, and they will
get stiff and sore, which in turn slows down your development as a
player. Playing through pain does not prove you're a man, it proves you are an idiot who does not care about their most important part of
their playing, your hands! The most fanciest instrument can't make
your hands play better if they are in pain, but healthy hands can
make even cheap instrument sing.
So here are few practical tricks. Play in front of a mirror, or
video your self playing. Pay attention on how you sit, how tensed your
muscles are. If you play guitar, you don't need to press the strings
down with crazy amount of force, that puts pressure on your fingers,
hands, wrists and arms. Figure out how little it takes to get a clean
note and pay attention to this while you practice. For drummers
holding on to a stick is bit of a same thing, you don't need to squeeze them to death, just enough to hold on to them:-) Also gently shake
your hands between songs, this will help them relax. Warming up is essential for avoiding injuries. Stretch your shoulders, back and neck. I
am not going to give you a lecture on how to live your life, but some exercise does help to loosen those tensed up back muscles. Swimming
is one of the best things you can do. When we are on a tour with
Sliotar, we are always on a look out for a pool:-)
OK, that's that. Now back to other updates. JPKALLIO.COM have
quite few concerts coming up in the next few weeks. First we are in
Adelaide bar in Sligo this Friday, the 13
th of April, next
week we are in the Submarine bar in Crumlin on Thursday the 19
th,
and in the Slaughtered lamb in Swords on Friday the 20
th.
The following week we are in the Sweeneys on Wednesday the 25
th
and in the Pint on 26
th. Then in May we are organizing an
album fundraiser concert in the Thomas House on Friday the 4
th
of May, but more on that later. For now, have a great week!
J.P.
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