Seasonal: Cold Hands

Whistle
1

So this is the first time I’ve gone through a whistling phase during the winter (it’s usually a springtime thing with me, not sure why), and I’ve been noticing that my hands get clumsy when they’re a little chilled – not even icy from being out in the cold, just chilly from being eco-misers and keeping our thermostat set down low.

So is dexterity the reason why you hear about pianists soaking their hands in warm/hot water before going on stage? I’d always thought it was to prevent injuries or something.

How do other colder climate/low thermostat folks deal with this? I’ve been washing my hands in warm water before I play and it seems to help. Or do you just let your hands warm up on the job? Isn’t this a big issue when playing outdoors in cooler weather? I’ve only done it in warmish times of year…

2

Depending on many factors:
– try those 99-cent chem-pack warmers (any sporting goods store) in your pockets, warm your hands, play, repeat..
– try those woolen gloves that have the fingertips missing, or make your own, and play 'til numb, go in the house for hot cocoa, repeat..
–perhaps rub hands with a capsaicin preparation??? (It improves circulation, which probably would allow for initial warmth but eventual loss of heat.) I use Moon Valley’s Muscle Rub with cayenne AFTER whistling when it’s cold to reduce stiffness and massage these new delicate muscles. This stuff is great and comes from your neck of the woods. Of course, don’t get it on the pads of your fingers before playing!

I sometimes play outside when my dog objects, and it can get cold even here in south-central Texas. I think the gloves would have to be modified to be cut back even further than they are generally made, to be sure the knuckle is exposed for maximum freedom to play.

Good luck.

3

In recent times I’ve been taking long walks, pretty much daily.
Have also been carrying a low whistle in my back pocket, and up under the coat, to get it warm.
I have places where whistling is private, except for various animals, and where I turn my back to the breeze and have at it.
As Fall turned to Winter, there were some cold fingers!!!
I’ve just played through the discomfort.
And, in only months, feel much tougher and more able, in this regard.

I say just plough through, and your hands will gradually acclimate. I’ve never done this kind of cold-weather playing before…and it has become mostly quite pleasant.

Press On! :thumbsup:

4

hot water. supposed to minimize injuries and also facilitates motion.
Ice after playing can be helpful too in avoiding injuries.
Taking care of hands is probably worth the trouble, especially as you get older.
injuries suck.

Whistling outside in the real cold can be kind of tough due to clogging.
Busking gets really hard in the dead of winter.

From the archives, by Decripit
Persimmin Stone: The Wind Chill Blues

Don’t know why people sayin
It’s windy here today.
The banjo strings are moanin
And the fiddler’s blown away.

I got the wind chill blues,
Woo Woo
I got the wind chill blues,
Ooh Ooh.
Hug me pretty mama,
You know I got the
wind chill blues.

My Copeland keeps on cloggin
And it’s trembling in my grip.
The delrin plug is frozen,
Lord it’s stuck right to my lip.

Got the wind chill blues,
Woo Woo,
Got the wind chill blues,
Oooh oooh,
Hug me pretty mama,
You know I got the wind chill blues.

My weasel is a wailin
But the notes are frozen sour.
The banjo’s fallen silent,
He ain’t moved in half an hour,

I got the wind chill blues,
Woo Woo,
I get the wind chill blues,
Oooh Oooh,
Hug me pretty mama,
You know I get them wind chill blues.

…whistle blues solo, fading out…

5

Friend of mine had a similiar issue…I advised him to get a neck adjustment from his Chiropractor and the problem went away pretty fast. Many times hand issues (especially cold…or tingling) has origins stemming from “neck”…depends on the type of issue/pain.

Its worth looking into, perhaps. At times, their is no pain (@ first). But, with some people it comes, later. Hopefully, its nothing to serious to manage. Stress can also cause these type of issues…goes undetected by most people.

Best to you…

Talbert St. Claire

6

Cold aggravates any minor aches and pains in my hands. I wear gloves, even in moderate temperatures. Bicycling gloves, or other gloves with out finger tips can be worn while playing and help me a good bit.

Fingerless gloves are all the rage now because folks want to be able to text or use their Ipod wheels while wearing gloves. I’ve also seen fingerless gloves with a mitten over cover.

I have many pairs of gloves, that I wear at different temps, different uses. Even in relatively warm weather or indoors, I like the extra support and warmth from fingerless gloves. Some of the gloves I made by cutting the tips off cheapo nylon gloves.

7

It occurred to me that this cold => stiffness thing might also be related to aging. One more b-day and I 'll hit 50. I’ve already got graduated bifocals, I suppose arthritic hands is the logical next step :stuck_out_tongue: .

@ Talbert: Interesting, I have indeed been having trouble with my neck & shoulders, I believe from adapting to playing the flute. Just had an adjustment between Christmas & New Years, and I think it did help some with the chill/clumsiness I had been feeling in my hands.

I also blame my brief holiday-related relapse with cigarette smoking (after 3 years of having quit!) – I think that did bad things for my circulation, among other thing (cough, cough…). It certainly didn’t help any with my ablity to supply air to the flute, and I can also hear some wavering and warble in my breath-support on the whistle. It also seemed to exacerbate the problems I was having with my neck & shoulders. Nasty stuff, tobacco.

My new motto is: “Addiction is easy – you can always pick up right where you left off!”

(currently on day one of Re-Quitting, Second Attempt…)

8

Hey squidgirl…

Maybe you should stop whistling under waterfalls???

Dankness-in-the fingers syndrome, ye know.

9

Hiking away from a waterfall is easy enough, but escaping the dankness west of the Cascades this time of year is a more of a challenge :smiley:

10

Tobacco smoke, alcohol and caffeine can certainly restrict blood flow in your hands and feet.

I like to play outdoors even in extreme cold and fingerless gloves are very helpful IF you keep your core temperature up enough to keep good circulation to your hands. For me, that means very warn headgear and an extra vest or jacket more than I would normally wear. Keep your whistle under your jacket or equivalent whenever you stop playing. Plastic and wood whistles don’t conduct the heat from your fingers as fast as metal.

Hand warmers help a lot. In the backcountry, I have warmed small bit of rock over a camp stove, wrapped them in an old sock and made myself an excellent hand/whistle warmer. They last a long time. WARNING: you have to pick rocks that have no internal moisture or they explode. NO river rocks.

And resign yourself to playing a bit flat when it gets around freezing or below. :frowning:

I know most of you will consider this extreme, but it works even better when it is not so cold.

11

I sometimes use close fitting gloves like these to play whistles out of doors when it is very cold in the mountains here.
http://international.vileda.com/com/products/show/1711/34

The coating is thin and soft so that dexterity is not lost. As they are not coated on the back of the hands there is no problem with perspiration as with ordinary rubber gloves. They seal the holes very well, in fact easier than without them. I find them better than fingerless gloves for playing whistles out of doors. They are best used on whistles lower than D so that the fingers are not too close to each other. Obviously it is not possible to slide notes with them because they grip too well. Mine cost about €3 in Greece. If it is very cold it is possible to wear a pair of fingerless gloves over the top.

12

Are you able to whistle, and wash dishes without missing a beat? :laughing:

13

I wear fingerless gloves when piping and it makes a big difference. I just buy cotton gloves for $1 at the grocery and cut the fingers off. Also, the warmer you can keep your arms, the warmer the blood will be when it gets to your hands.

14

Squidgirl,

I really admire your honesty regarding the attempt to quit smoking. Look @ it this way. We all have issues that we are trying so hard to manage in this life. Often, as musicians, its perhaps other things that disturb us as people and not at all musically related. Yet, we can be still affected on a musical level. Its hard to live this balanced life that we here so much about. However, the true survivors are the ones that can look themselves in the mirror of life and be happy that they gave it their best attempt. Pass or fail!

Take me for example. Unfortunately, my family did not leave me with much of a legacy. Growing up as a child I watched many of them succumb to the addiction of drugs and alchohol. Many are not alive today because of it. Growing up bi-racial (african american/white) I carried lots of burdens along the way! I was really confused being a bi-racial child and seeing my whole family with the exception of myself and a few others be distroyed by various vices. I decided that I wanted no part of it. I saw what it could do early on and it educated my mind as to what not to get involved in. The mind is very powerful!

My point is this. You can do whatever you set your mind to. Yes, it may require a little help but it can be done. If you desire to quit smoking then go for it! 50 is still young. If others can do it are they any different than you or I? Of course not. The goal for most people is to live the life that we deserve to give ourselves. Anything thats meant to improve us as a person is worth the struggle. The fact that you were so honest demonstrates that you have true character.

You CAN and WILL, succeed!! Whats the alternative? Their is only one outcome here. Its called, success! Remember, we all struggle with various things (whatever it may be). If you have a relapse go back and start over until you get it right. One day you’ll look up and the issue will be, GONE :slight_smile: . To forget is to strong of a word. We dont forget we just move on.

15

I do ALOT of typing being an accountant…and lots of times the arthritis gets to me. You can do as the others have suggested–fingerless gloves, exercises before you play. I made my own fingerless gloves…just get some fleece at a fabric store—you don’t need much. Determine your widest part of your arm that you would like it to go up to and the length–cut and sew a tube–and then cut a slit for your thumb–and there ya go!!! Also, I’m into yoga and you would be surprised at how much our bodies tense up for whatever reason. Do some arm stretches and hand workouts. Look on the internet for exercises for carpal tunnel and they will help too warm up the joints.

Good luck with the smoking thing. I quit 17 years ago! I have also quit eatting crap–and have lost 100 pounds. Fill up the time with music…it will help you make it through!

Happy New Year.

Nancy

16

Quite a thread!
Side note on smoking.
After over three decades of cigs, I stopped, in 2000.
The mighty whistle…and it’s oral-fixation-alternative-qualities…helped me to do it!
I play every day, rain or shine.
Just like I smoked.

Maybe the Muse will smile upon thee, likewise.

Good luck in all aspects.