I am just watching an opera Thais, which contains a violin solo. When there was a close up on the musician, I started wondering, if repetitive strain injury of the neck is a frequent thing for violinists. It looks so demanding and asymetric. Or did only this guy do something wrong ? It never occured to me before, from watching the performance.
Is a violin bad for your spine ?
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I don't know about violins but spare a thought for those rock guitarists who use a Les Paul guitar every night. At around 10-12lbs, I can testify that they put some pressure on the shoulder and back. All my guitars barring one are Les Paul copies and they are similar backbreakers (one is just over 12lbs). If I've been playing an hour I certainly know about it.
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You better believe it can cause problems. That's one reason why it is so important to have a good teacher when you start so bad posture habits don't start. If taught properly, if the chin rest is fitted correctly and posture is reinforced it's really not a problem. Many teachers have full length mirrors in their studios so students can check themselves. My chiropractor has several violin and viola players he sees for neck and hand issues. Mostly older players who have been at it a long time. And you'll notice some violin players have what looks like a hickey on their neck which is from the contact pressure.
Well, it all depends how many hours you play per day and how many hours (without break) you need to keep the thing up.
Professional orchestral players often develop problems and a lot of attention goes towards developing a posture that can be sustained without developing chronic issues.
Common issues are aches and pains in neck, shoulders, wrists, elbows, back. Trapped nerves. Tendinitis, bursitis. Callouses on fingertips and the permanent sore on the side of the neck don't sound too bad, but actually some people develop real problems also with those. like an abscess on the neck or permanent/recurring nerve pain in fingertips.
That's just the physicals. There are also general symptoms like sleep disorders due to disruption of circadian rhythm, recurrent or even permanent exhaustion, symptoms of the digestive system (IBS very common) due to irregular life style/performance nerves and of course all the mental/emotional issues that come with the performance pressure. Alcoholism, depression, anxiety.....let's stop here.
I don't want to sound too negative and I realize all occupations come with their own set of issues. But since you asked.....
Professional orchestral players often develop problems and a lot of attention goes towards developing a posture that can be sustained without developing chronic issues.
Common issues are aches and pains in neck, shoulders, wrists, elbows, back. Trapped nerves. Tendinitis, bursitis. Callouses on fingertips and the permanent sore on the side of the neck don't sound too bad, but actually some people develop real problems also with those. like an abscess on the neck or permanent/recurring nerve pain in fingertips.
That's just the physicals. There are also general symptoms like sleep disorders due to disruption of circadian rhythm, recurrent or even permanent exhaustion, symptoms of the digestive system (IBS very common) due to irregular life style/performance nerves and of course all the mental/emotional issues that come with the performance pressure. Alcoholism, depression, anxiety.....let's stop here.
I don't want to sound too negative and I realize all occupations come with their own set of issues. But since you asked.....
If played badly, it's certainly bad for my spine since I'll probably be cringing away from the noise... 
I have an older violinist friend who hates Bruckner, specifically because of his preference for tremolo and the physical cost after many years of playing.
And as others have noted, posture and hand position and general technique can go a long way towards the occurrence of future problems, or mainly avoiding them. ( That goes for any number of instruments, not just the violin. )
I have an older violinist friend who hates Bruckner, specifically because of his preference for tremolo and the physical cost after many years of playing.
And as others have noted, posture and hand position and general technique can go a long way towards the occurrence of future problems, or mainly avoiding them. ( That goes for any number of instruments, not just the violin. )
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all string players have bad backs. Regardless of whether it be violin, cello, guitar or doublebass. You spend so many hours in an asymetric position, what chance have you really got? Like mbhaub says, that is what technique and fundamentals are all about, really. Its how you manage all that strain by putting your body in the best position so your body doesn't break down and give out on you.
But that's not all the dangers. In my life, I've known alot of upright bass players. Most of them have injured thier backs loading the damn thing up after the gig, nevermind all the hours spent in asymetrical positions
anyway, I've never met a string player that didn't have a bad back or neck.
But that's not all the dangers. In my life, I've known alot of upright bass players. Most of them have injured thier backs loading the damn thing up after the gig, nevermind all the hours spent in asymetrical positions
anyway, I've never met a string player that didn't have a bad back or neck.
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why is that sad? that's life. Sure, I have a sore neck, but I got it by playing the Beethoven violin sonata #1 in D major all afternoon yesterday
I got one of the heavy runs in the third movement worked out, too! 🙂
Seems to me I'm still up on the deal
I got one of the heavy runs in the third movement worked out, too! 🙂
Seems to me I'm still up on the deal
Hi, Nate,
After 30 years of playing classical guitar with a traditional footstool, I developed back problems about two months ago that were seriously affecting my playing and comfort level. I switched to a Dynarette cushion* and the pain went away. However, it takes a real adjustment to play with two feet firmly on the ground after all those years using a footstool which results in a slightly higher posture for the guitar. However, the higher position has been a real benefit resulting in greater apparent finger strength and a cleaner more perpendicular approach to the fingerboard/strings for chord voicings and working in the upper register.
Viajero
Dynarette Guitar Support Cushion, XL 5 inches
Strings By Mail
https://www.stringsbymail.com › ... › Guitar Supports
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