Wrist trouble and positioning

[johnsog]

Howdy!! I have been having trouble with my left wrist hurting after playing my dear smallpipes for a few minutes. It doesn't always happen but does so more frequently these days. I've tried holding the chanter in different positions but to no avail. I did find temporary relief when I turned the chanter a bit to the right in the stock but that hasn't proven consistently helpful either. I have had a lot of hand and wrist issues in the past, mostly tendonitis. Do any of you have suggestions? Thanks, all!!

[Patrick McLaurin]

I can’t help but wonder if there is unnecessary tension somewhere. Are they not holding themselves up and so you’re left hand is having to do double duty? Is it mouthblown or bellows blown?

A video is worth a million words.

[CalumII]

Put a bit of tape over your high A hole and spend a few minutes playing with your left thumb not touching. Does this help?

[Kevin]

Where is the pain in your wrist and do you have any numbness or tingling in your fingers? If yes, which ones?

Take a look at your wrist while playing. Is it relaxed and relatively straight? If not, you might want to try not tucking the bag so far under your arm, or alternately tucking it a bit further to get your wrist into a better position.

This kind of thing can be hard to manage, especially if there are old injuries contributing to it.

Good luck figuring it out.
Kevin

[johnsog]

Thanks, all!! These are some good ideas. I have noticed that my wrist isn't quite straight. The pain is just below the base of the thumb and a bit toward the back of the hand from that. I will try these suggestions and see what happens. Again, thanks!!

[Kevin]

Do you play with your pinkie straight or curled and relaxed?

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[Dan Bell]

Pay attention to where your arm contacts the bag, too. Having your wrist pressing against the bag can be a source of tension/compression.

[KeithAlex344]

I have this same issue with my shuttle pipes, but strangely not with my GHB's. For me I think it's the bag size and/or cut. I think maybe the chanter sits quite low and I have to reach for it. I don't mess with them too much, but second the motion to try the bag in different positions farther forward ect... also maybe try hand stretches. Some good ones on YouTube. Hope you get it figured! Comfort it is key.

[johnsog]

Thanks, all, for your kind help!! I have been trying different positions and that does seem to help some. I have a gig this Saturday, playing for a half hour prior to our St. Andrew's banquet. Short practices have been going better so hopefully my wrist will be up to the test!!

[pancelticpiper]

Originally Posted by johnsog

I have been having trouble with my left wrist hurting after playing my dear smallpipes…

Bellows?

My Scottish smallpipes are mouthblown, and I find them much more ergonomic than bellows-blown SSPs.

It's odd because I've been playing uilleann pipes for 40 years and don't find them uncomfortable in the least.

But put bellows on Scottish pipes and they seem strange and uncomfortable.