Pain in the left shoulder after playing

[deidre-mcnabb]

I have noticed that after I am done practicing (which I do for about an hour a day) I have some major tension and pain in my left shoulder. I think it comes from holding my left arm in front of me for so long but I wonder if it might be something to do with my posture? I do find that I tend to lean forward as I play, but would that affect only the left side of my body?

[Gretchen Cover]

I had that exact problem and found it was caused by my bench being too low. Also, try to stretch after you play. A good stretch is to stand in a door way, rest your hands around shoulder height on the frame in a relaxed manner, and lean forward. Hold any stretch for at least 20 seconds.

[aziliz-harp–2]

Hello, I had some problems too but after that I worked with a physiotherapist which is specialized in musicians health and help me to have good habits for my body and avoid problems int the future.

Firstly it is a error to put the harp directly on the shoulder: the weight (especially for pedal harps) will compress the nerves and nervous muscular package, which can for some people be dangerous, especially when you are not fat. The solution is to hold the harp with your knees (you bench the harp and hold it only with your knees) and you let as much as possible a little space between the harp and your shoulder. It can be difficult at the beginning but after few weeks you do it naturally, it is just a habit to take.
You can also put something on your shoulder to protect it (scarf, cushion…)

Secondly when you play be aware on not lifting the shoulder, especially in the high register. You can film you doing the same thing with the right hand and the left hand. Normally your shoulder don’t have to move, even in the hight register.

Thirsdly it is important to warm up before working (you can do it on the harp, for example with scales very slowly and you are aware of being very relaxed and not have the weight on the harp on the shoulder) and to stretch each arm after playing. It takes a little time but it avoid many problems.

I hope that was clear, my english it a little approximative…

[Sylvia]

We don’t know how big Deidre’s harp is, or even if it is a pedal harp. Also, we don’t know how long she has played…whether she’s a newbie or has been playing for years…or whether she is self-taught or has a teacher. If she posted a video, probably the teachers here would be able to tell her the source of her problem.

Some pedal harps are huge, but others not so much.
Even with my 15, I would not hold the harp with my knees because I need my feet free for the pedals…so the harp has to rest on my shoulder….it’s been there for many years of playing, and nothing dire has happened to my nerves…and I’m not fat. (see Harp Column bio and website for pics)

But Deidre’s problem is in the left shoulder, not the right. I use a pad (some folded up newspaper inside a pillowcase folded up) on my shoulder when I practice, but of course, not when I perform.

Gretchen’s probably on the right track. She’s BTDT (been there, done that)
Check the bench height.

[Tacye]

I too upset my left shoulder playing many years ago – holding it too far forward too much of the time rather than the arm forward with the shoulder back and too much tension seem to have been the main culprits for me. It used to be worse when I was tense (sightreading, orchestral parts I didn’t know well) or cold. Not sleeping on it helped it heal, but I wish now I had gone to a physiotherapist for advice when it first happened. Learning to hold my arms up using the muscles under the shoulderblades helped too.

[emma-graham]

This thread is interesting as it highlights that there are so many different approaches to playing. I was always taught (and continue to teach) that the harp should NEVER rest on your shoulder regardless if it is pedal or non-pedal! Nor should it’s weight be on your knees, even though it touches them. I was taught that it should balance on it’s own centre of gravity when leant back. Your knees gently stop it falling too far back and your fingers keep it from tipping forward. I make all my pupils lean back away from the harp without it coming back with them to prove that they don’t have the weight on their shoulder. Having the harp lightly touching your knees doesn’t impede pedalling at all. I play Lyon and Healys – style 11 and 23 – and hold both lightly on my knees with absolutely no pedalling trouble at all. I guess it all comes down to what technique you were taught!
If any of my pupils do ever complain of back or shoulder pain I too always check the stool height first and then whether they have started resting the harp on their shoulder. I also take, and recommend, Alexander Technique lessons.

[Tacye]

Leaning backwards away from the harp can be really useful for playing top notes too.

[Gretchen Cover]

Emma, I learned to hold the harp like you. I have an 88 pound Salvi Apollo and I never even notice the weight of the harp when I play. I let the balance do the work. It is so automatic I never think about whether I am supporting the harp on my should or knees. Sometimes I feel like my harp tilts back and stays on its own.

Deidre, it would help the discussion if you would give us some info about your harp and yourself.

[aziliz-harp–2]

I agree with the fact it is important to let a space between the harp and the shoulder.
Gretchen, some people can play during a lot of years without pain or problems, and some people who have exactly the same technique will not, It depends of our body. If you have no problem also you are lucky. But when we have a problem we learn to listen to our body and to do better gestures and positions which are more efficient to play healthy.
Before my shoulder problem I didn’t notice the weight of the harp too whereas I was playing a lot of hours per day (on pedal harp). Most of the time we are not aware of what happens inside our body,
As Emma said, Alexander technique is a good approach to learn to listen to our body and be aware of our position in the space. There are also Feldenkrais method or Resseguier method which can help.

[Gretchen Cover]

Azillz, I am at an age where I do need to be careful about playing. I must pay attention to what my body says. I go to yoga class one or two times a week and try to do some yoga stretches everyday and stretch after I practice. Otherwise, I do not think I could play. Also, video taping yourself helps not only to hear what you play but to see how you play it. I tend to play too high on the strings and the video reminds me:(

[deidre-mcnabb]

I am sorry for the lack of information that I have given.

I have been playing the harp since I was ten years old so for about 13 years. I studied privately for 8 of those years with one teacher and then with another private teacher in college. My harp is a Lyon and Healy Style 85 Petit. I was always taught to have a balance between me and the harp so that the weight doesn’t rest on me. I’m pretty certain that is not the cause. This pain in my shoulder has been a recent development in the last year or so. As for bench height would I be sitting too low or too high?

Tayce, you mentioned holding your arm up using the muscles under your shoulder blade. Could you explain that more?

I will say that I have performed and studied privately for many years but this is my first experience speaking with as many experienced harpists as this forum merits and while that is a great experience, it is also an intimidating one. I appreciate all of your feedback. Thank you so much for looking at this problem with me.

[Gretchen Cover]

Deidre, i would suggest you try putting your bench up higher. I would also suggest you take a camera, iPad or phone and have someone film you playing. Film from the front and the side. See if you are doing something obvious to bother your left shoulder. If you are not currently taking lessons, contact one of your former instructors to seek advice. Otherwise, work with your harp instructor. He/she would probably best be able to assess your current problem, either in person and/or by studying your video, if you choose to make one.

Don’t be intimated or overwhelmed by all the advice. Everyone is simply concerned and trying to help you solve this problem. You can decide after reading posts what advice might be helpful to you.

[Angela Biggs]

Deidre, though you have been playing for many years, sometimes a seemingly unrelated issue in another part of your life can affect your playing. When we got our puppy almost three years ago, he pulled very hard on the leash and it took months of consistent training to get him to stop. Up until that time I practiced my harp for hours at a time without any trouble; after a couple months of walking puppy I could no longer use my left arm after practicing. And guess which side was taking the brunt of all that pulling? Unfortunately, I didn’t make the connection for a couple of years — and now my body is so accustomed to guarding my left shoulder that I’m taking Alexander lessons to learn how to undo (haha, well, non-do) the habits I’ve learned.

I hope you find the advice here helpful, and that you can get it worked out soon! 🙂

[Tacye]

Hi Deidre – I don’t think I can explain the muscle use that well. Raise your arms palm up to a playing height watching in the mirror for shoulder raise and engage shoulder blade muscles – or maybe think about opening your chest up despite your arms being forward. Also stop yourself repeatedly while playing, every line if necessary, and check your position and tension. I was lucky enough to have a harp teacher who also trained as a pilates teacher before I realised that experts in body movement don’t need to also be experts in the instrument or sport in question.

[Tacye]

I just came across a rather interesting site on playing ergonomics. It doesn’t have a harp section, but cello and piano and the overview are interesting. http://www2.siba.fi/harjoittelu/index.php?id=170&la=en

[Author]

Posts