[Bossman]

I just started doubling on flute, and I'm noticing that after about an hour or so of playing (mostly long tones, nothing too fast as I'm just working on sound production) I get some pain in my right wrist. The left one is fine but the right one just aches. I do some stretches before I play but it still doesn't do much to help it.

I've heard that wrist/shoulder pain is common among flautists, but is there anything I can do to prevent it? My teacher says my posture looks fine, and it shouldn't cause any pain.

Any advice?

 

[asaxman]

Hand position is very important. Make sure the thumb is is in a natural position,using the side, not the fingerprint. This causes pain, as well as uneven technique. Also- make sure the foot joint is rotated to the most comfortable place. Good luck!!!

 

[saxandstrings86]

You may hear some mixed opinions about this from others here, but I've found that the Bo-Pep flute guides 8(left and right hand position guides) can really help beginners and more advanced players alike...the flute teacher at our school brought in a right hand guide for everyone to try for a week, and three of the flute majors went and bought one to keep around in their cases.

Basically, it's a plastic, shaped finger guide that snaps onto the body of the flute. I decided not to use one anymore because it marred the finish on my new Pearl, but when I stopped using it, i realized that I no longer needed it, but it helped me while I was learning.

They're also cheap...usually around $10-$15 each. I tried mine out in the store before I bought it, so you might be able to try it out too.

 

[Bossman]

Yeah my ex's main axe is flute and she uses a bo-pep so I often saw it and thought "what the hell is that...," I never looked into what it does really, it looks like you use it as a spacer between your hand and the body of the flute, is that about right?

 

[Bossman]

Hmm just quickly looking at some pictures of it, maybe I'll pick one up for my left hand if it goes where it looks like it goes. The summary of my flute pain is my right wrist and left... uh I don't know what to call it. The 1st knuckle (joins the finger to the palm) on my index finger, but on the side of it where it contacts the flute body gets pretty painful, I guess I'm pushing too hard towards my face or something.

 

[NatureColor]

you maybe want to keep it relaxed by shaking it out every 3 minutes so you "remember" how to keep the wrist relaxed. And stretch out your hand at the beginning will help too.

 

[Gordon (NZ)]

Perhaps it is worth reading this
http://www.mycarpaltunnel.com/symptoms-carpal-tunnel-syndrome.shtml

And Googling [carpal tunnel]
And Googling [carpal tunnel flute]