I been piping for about 7 yrs now, and am wondering if my struggle is made worse by the fact that my back d thumb bends back like 90 degrees at the joint, so when I play it isn’t locked back, but in mid range. I wonder if I would have more comand over the back d if I didn’t have this problem and I could cover the hole with a locked thumb, thus with more force, but at the same time I’ve heard it’s best to aim for a light grip on the chanter.
I mean I know it’s the thumb that god gave me, I guess I’m just wondering if anyone else has one of these thumbs, I have met others with em, but not pipers, but I did see Robbie Hannan playing on the Pure Drop once and he looked to have one.
I looked on the web and think the condition is hyperextension, they make special ring things to aid it and stop yr joint from bending the other way, and they can be used to aid all kinds of activities, anyone tried one?
Mine isn’t painful or owt, but maybe it will be in the future with all this piping.
You should be holding the chanter so softly/lightly that this should not be a concern. Only if you were attempting to (incorrectly) hold the chanter in a death grip would this be a problem.
All you have to do is cover the holes. If you grapple with your chanter, you cut off the circulation to your fingers, and stiffen the muscles. Your hands won’t have the looseness required to move with speed and dexterity.
I have the same 90 deg thumb but manage ok.
If you can play with both thumbs off the chanter( a bit of tape on back D) then you are not using the death grip. I know this is not practical, but it is just a way of seeing how light a grip you have.
I was told to turn my thumb in slightly so I’m covering the hole more with the side of the thumb. This also has the effect of relaxing the top hand fingers somewhat, and I’ve certainly found it facilitates things like using the back D to cut C, etc.
That’s interesting…that’s actually what I do. I never saw anyone else do it, so I thought it was a bad habit and I’ve been trying to change my thumb position. But now I guess I can just leave it alone…
I’ve noticed some pipers play with their thumb in an almost upright, ‘thumbs-up’ position which when I try seems to add a lot more stress to the thumb joint. The position I find most comfortable is the same as Seamus Ennis’ hand position as can be seen clearly in the centre spread photo of the most recent An Piobaire - chanter angled over to his left a bit and thumb pretty much horizontal and almost level with the index finger.
Yes Ben, that’s exactly what I mean! who is she? a top piper? and a left handed one? showing off her back d thumb which actually benefits her? hehe freaky thumb eh
I tried that thumb turned in thing and it didn’t work for me, I know ben does that when he trebles it, but I think I need to keep mine in it’s natural position.
Anyway I’m having more success, I thinks it’s in aiming for a lighter grip, it’s just difficult when yr squeezin like billio for hours on end.
