I’ve had a really hard reed for a while (hard as in it’s really friggin hard to play) and the only way to get a note out of it is to play the bejaysus out of it, so that’s what I’ve been doing, right? So, I got it fixed not too long ago, but it still is pretty hard to play and recently I’ve been practicing the bejaysus out of it (cause I’d really like to place at the fleadh cheoil na hEireann of course ) but I swear I think I might just have to amputate my shoulder off because I can bearly squeeze the bag anymore… due to really putting too much stress on it i guess. I know I know… I’ve heard of this happening before many times, but I guess I’ve just been too stubborn to think it could happen to me.
I was just curious if any of yas might know a few tricks on how to #1 fix my shoulder (I’ve been icing it and that helps a bit) or any weird exercises to do to keep it straight #2 what could I do to my reed to make it a little less hard to play (if it’s possible… I mean it’s sounding great, loud…but great)
So, I mean, I would ask one of my teachers but I’m too imbarrised at the moment… (you know, cause I’ve always been told "never squeeze too hard, it’ll put stress on your shoulder and can cause permanant damage … ch…) so, I decided to plead out to the gud 'ol pipe nerds
youll be fine,
stretch your delts every morning and before you play, and roll your shoulders while relaxing your head down in the morning and after every time you play. Trust me. also drinking lots of water and have a sufficient amount of potasium helps your muscles heal quicker and prevents them from fatiging as fast.
I think as a matter of urgency you should obtain an easier/softer reed. Almost all chanters will accept an easy reed, even if they don’t sound their absolute best that way. Some sound great with soft reeds.
You may be well on the way to doing some soft tissue damage - this is all too easy to do with shoulders, and rotator cuff injuries can take months or years to heal,
Now, because we are expressly forbidden to talk about medical issues on this board, (for reasons which I don’t fully accept, but so be it), I can’t really comment further except to say that treating the root of the problem requires a differently adjusted reed.
Actually, the medical post/advice thing is sometimes a grey area. Suffice it to say that when it comes to playing injury and the like, much advice and experience IS allowed and encouraged here: stretching, habits, diet to some extent, bandaging, over-the-counter analgesics, advice that one should seek proper medical expertise, REEDS, that sort of thing. We should be able to help each other out, after all.
Case in point: over in the Whistle Forum, a discussion of oils developed into warnings about letting those with nut allergies play your whistles, and rightly so.
The problems arise when people start diagnosing conditions without examination or a license, and prescribing meds and particular prescribable therapies, or they solicit that sort of thing for themselves. And, sooner or later, someone does; that’s why the policy is in effect. Where does that leave things like recommending potassium? I think it falls under diet, actually, but to be fair I’d rather that if there’s any question, go for PMs and emails. Still, no harm done.
Nice to know it’s not a blanket prohibition. It’s understood that this is a tricky area.
With respect to over-the-counter analgesics, it is my understanding that minor antiinflammatories coupled with some rest from the offending activity may help reduce any damage that might have resulted from overstrain. I suppose it’s safe to say “if the problem persists, see a doctor” - though I think it certain that a reed doctor (we have a couple of those on the board IIRC ) is advisable.
Yeah, my first thought would be to close up the reed lips just a hair, or get a lighter-playing reed.
And DEFINITELY take a break for as long as it takes to heal up. As for healing aids, I recommend chicken soup with the stock made from the bones. All sorts of nutrition for joints and connective tissue in that.
The vast majority of pipers I have seen (and I’m not necessarily excluding myself) hold the instrument way too tightly: shoulders are often hunched unnaturally, posture is very stooped and awkward, wrists are sharply bent, and the chanter is gripped to death. All of this makes for a very uncomfortable playing experience and is a surefire way of ensuring that you will have an exceedingly hard time ever playing all that well and if you keep it up, you’ll likely have an exceedingly hard time playing at all. Most musicians that twiddle their fingers have to come up against some form of RSI or another at some point. Ignore it and it will go away…And then it will come back and you may very well have some doctor telling you that you’ve done permanent damage to your nerves and you’ll never play again. Don’t mess with this stuff. Never ever, ever try and “play through” the pain. You should never play for more than an hour at a time without taking a break. If you’re finding that physically coming up with the air to keep your pipes going is a strain, then you either a.) have zero bellows technique, or, more likely, b.) your bag/bellows are severely leaking, or c.) your reeds are taking way too much air. If you live within driving distance of an experienced piper, announce that you’re comin’ over for the weekend, buy him/her some beer, and have him/her give your set a thorough going over.
I don’t mean to come off sounding at all harsh, but I’ve seen very talented people’s musical lives destroyed by this stuff. If playing your instrument is at all uncomfortable for you, then get help from an experienced player or possibly a doctor and figure out a way of making it as comfortable and ergonomic as possible. Don’t put it off.
about 8 yrs ago- got out of bed, actually the pipes were laying on the bed (ya single at the time) put em on and proceeded to pull a tendon in my left upper pec (where it connects tothe inside of the deltoid). Took over a yr to heal, no adivse on the list (Dave Daye’s at the time) could help>>>
Rest is top priority, but continue to lightly excersise. I’ve had many sports/musician realted injuries and that has always been the advise of the PT. However, you should see one (physical therapist) to get specific advise
Where abouts are you ? It would be an idea if possible to have an experienced piper have a look at the pipes and check they are set up with a reed that plays at a sensible pressure. If not near another piper consider a short holiday to a Tional. Also watch your playing position -the ‘Ennis’ is probably the classic pose but too many hunch over their instruments
As Bill says injuries to the arm, shoulder, neck can take a long time to heal and will not do so while under stress. Pain is a warning message from the body telling you to stop before you damage it further and if it is as debilitating as you suggest then proper medical advice should be sought as soon as possible.
A physiotherapist specialising in sports injuries would be an alternative and may be able to help.
Give the pipes a rest for a fortnight, find a reedmaker to soften up that reed, there ain’t anything to be gained by playing on hard reeds eccept a long term injurie’s, rub some ibuprofen gel or muscle rub into that shoulder and rest it, once you sustain muscle tears there long term especially with pipe playing, be warned, take note any new pipers, been there got the t-shirt, all the best.
,
) but I swear I think I might just have to amputate my shoulder off because I can bearly squeeze the bag anymore… due to really putting too much stress on it i guess. I know I know… I’ve heard of this happening before many times, but I guess I’ve just been too stubborn to think it could happen to me.
… ch…) so, I decided to plead out to the gud 'ol pipe nerds 
find a reedmaker to soften up that reed, 
there ain’t anything to be gained by playing on hard reeds eccept a long term injurie’s, rub some ibuprofen gel or muscle rub into that shoulder and rest it, once you sustain muscle tears there long term especially with pipe playing, be warned, take note any new pipers, 
been there got the t-shirt, all the best.