3 replies to this topic

[fearfeasog]

I'm sure others have experienced this. It's possibly an issue with how I hold the thing (30b anglo rochelle). Seems the button comes right into the very tip of the finger whereas other fingers don't do that so much. Also it's my strongest finger so I am possibly pressing harder than I need to. Plus in these early stages it is getting used alot more than others.

I don't want to miss a day of practice. What would you all suggest?

[Johanna]

How bad is the soreness/numbishness? If it's so bad that it's painful for you to play (or use the finger for anything else), that may be a sign of a bad playing habit. Are you trying to use your index finger to help support the weight of the concertina? (If you are, you might need to adjust your handstraps or something.)

Or, if you feel you're pushing the button harder than necessary, you're probably right, and you should try to overcome that. For example, when I first started playing, I had to really work to overcome my intuitive feeling (left over from my piano playing days, I guess) that pushing a button harder would make the note sound louder. Obviously, it doesn't work like that on a concertina, but my fingers didn't know it yet.

On the other hand, if your finger just feels a little tingly, and you've been practicing for hours and hours, it's probably nothing to worry about. It's normal for your fingers to rebel against being used in ways that they're not accustomed to. Maybe slow down your practice schedule just a little for the time being - and pity the poor beginning guitar players, who have it much worse.

[fearfeasog]

How bad is the soreness/numbishness? If it's so bad that it's painful for you to play (or use the finger for anything else), that may be a sign of a bad playing habit. Are you trying to use your index finger to help support the weight of the concertina? (If you are, you might need to adjust your handstraps or something.)

Or, if you feel you're pushing the button harder than necessary, you're probably right, and you should try to overcome that. For example, when I first started playing, I had to really work to overcome my intuitive feeling (left over from my piano playing days, I guess) that pushing a button harder would make the note sound louder. Obviously, it doesn't work like that on a concertina, but my fingers didn't know it yet.

On the other hand, if your finger just feels a little tingly, and you've been practicing for hours and hours, it's probably nothing to worry about. It's normal for your fingers to rebel against being used in ways that they're not accustomed to. Maybe slow down your practice schedule just a little for the time being - and pity the poor beginning guitar players, who have it much worse.

"On the other hand!" ha ha! I'm cursed to see these silly things everywhere.

Anyway.

Yeah it's just a little weird feeling, not real painful. I'll admit that I probably don't hold the thing right, either-I haven't really been shown. I'm just winging it. I just don't want it to become an issue. Seems like every time I take up a hobby (and I hope the concertina to be more than just a hobby!) I end up injured--runner's knee, tendinitis, on and on. It's frustrating getting old! OK maybe I'm not that old at 43...

I shall endeavour to ease up on the pressure. I'll shorten my daily sessions for a few days or a week and focus on that. Thanks Johanna!

Edited by fearfeasog, 07 July 2012 - 11:47 AM.

[fearfeasog]

Played for about a half hour tonight. Did about 20 min of scales and drills, and maybe 10 of Garrett Barry's. Tried to stay light on the button pushing. Seems not to have gotten worse anyway!