Hi, I'm a beginner oboist (have played only for 3 years) but also a pianist(9 years). Since I started to play the oboe, I´m having a lot of pain on my right hand and arm, specially on my wrist and thumb.The worst thing is that it start to hurt when i play for 5-10min, so its pretty bad.Also my index finger has a really strange position when I'm standing up the oboe. I have pretty big hands and long fingers and I feel that doesn´t help, but there is no oboist on the world with big hands?....
I have already tried ton Koimaan's etude thumbrest, but I don't think its comfortable because it moves around while I'm playing.
I have uploaded some pictures of my position while playing for helping you to give me advice.
I've had this in my studio often enough wit calrinet and oboe players both. Your hand position is the cause of your pain. When looking at the pictures I see that your wrist is excessivly cocked. This is placing pressure on nerves down at your wrist, elbow and shoulder.
You want to turn or rotate your wrist. Turn the top of your wrist away from you, let the wrist rise up a little. Your right thumb looks like the rest is sitting on the side of your thumb, as you turn your wrist the rest should rest more on your thumbnail.
I would suggest doing a similar turn on your left hand position. While you are playing you should just ever so much the feeling of wringing out a wet towel. Instead of opening the fingers away and having the sensation of your thumbs pushing into the back of the oboe you should have the slight feeling of wringing a wet towel - this will keep the wrist unlocked and no nerves need be pinched. Everything is round and swooping.like your hugging a telephone pole.
Re: hand and arm problems! 11:47 on Friday, April 2, 2010
Thank you for your fast answer!
I have tried to put my wrist up, and I really feel my arm more relaxed, but my fingers get curved and I´m not capable of playing the lower notes because of that. Moreover, my thumb slip over the thumbrest.
Tomorrow I may upload some more pics with the new position to help you to give more advice.
