LEFT HAND INDEX FINGER - SLIGHT NERVE DAMAGE FROM DOG BITE

Hey, Fist post... I just discovered this site... I'm a veteran Jazz saxophonist. I've been working on becoming a competent Jazz solo pianist. It's going quite well. In fact, my inaugural piano busk occurs Friday (I regularly busk on saxophone). I can play Jazz standards ("Real Book" stuff), etc. I'm right handed, and my right hand can play pretty hip improvisations. My left hand in general is not as nuanced as my right. I look to Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans, etc. for inspiration. A couple of years ago, a pitbull bit my left index finger en route to killing another (non-pitbull) dog.... Not knowing anything about such vicious beasts, I tried (unsuccessfully) to intervene and save the doomed dog. This was at a friend's house. The "bite" was just a momentary "nip," but it created a 3/4" gash on my inner finger pad, on the thumb side. I immediately went to the emergency room and received treatment, antibiotics and surgery forthwith. I later learned that according to the pitbull, I was "one of the pack" and "in the way" of it's mauling. Needless to say, I'm forever dog-shy now. My surgeon was also a musician and understood the ramifications of the matter. He did an excellent job. I have slight nerve damage between the first knuckle and the tip of my left index finger on the "thumb" side, but not at the tip for about 1/2" back (I'm 6' 6" and have really large hands). The nerve was not severed, but the sensation is somewhat diminished on the "thumb" side of that finger. It's gotten somewhat better over time. This issue presents itself in varying degrees and only sometimes affects my playing. Mentally ingraining that it is unaffected is beneficial. I take vitamins B6 and 12, and use Chinese medicine balls. I soak my forearms in warm water and do stretching before I play. I also use a powerball wrist excerciser. Since I play Jazz, I play walking bass lines, various rhythmic patterns and left hand chord voicings. The finger at issue sometimes feels less "sure", "certain" or "strong." For example, if I play a bass pattern as in McCoy Tyner's "Fly WIth The Wind" (C - G - C; Db - Ag - Db), I have less "authority" on the Ab if using the pad of the finger at issue. Sensing that I'm playing from my elbows is beneficial due, I think, to added "weight," allowing the finger at issue to more authoritatively strike the keys (I'm using a Kawai MP11, with real, fully weighted long wood graded hammer action). These Kawai actions are known to be somewhat heavy. I really like it. My busking piano is a Casio PX5S, which arrives (hopefully...) tomorrow. It also has a pretty beefy action. Also beneficial is using either the (spared) tip, the second knuckle, or the left side of the finger at issue to strike the keys. The latter technique requires rotating the wrist to the left, which is counter-intuitive on ascending lines. The whole idea is not to "slip" and hit any wrong notes, as well as keep the authority of the bass line or pattern intact and swinging. I've also had the idea to get some sort of ankle, wrist or forearm weights from a sports store and place them on my forearm near the elbow, since pressing down on said spot also helps. Does anybody have any thoughts on this, other suggestions, exercises, etc? Thanks!

When I had some nerve damage years ago, those Chinese metal balls that you roll around in your hand were a tremendous help. I would highly recommend them. Then Andrew, how about your elastics? Do you think this is a case where they might do some good? AFF

I have the small (golf ball sized) Chinese medicine balls... Same for you? I'm thinking of getting larger ones as well (no jokes; they make them in about 2" or so size as well).

I have the large size ones... they work best for me. You have to go very slowly in rotating them and make sure they never touch... When you've mastered that, the same thing in the other direction... It took me a month of very slow practice to get this. I felt some interesting nerve stimulation along the way, and some time later all the symptoms had disappeared... AFF

I'll get the large ones as well. I didn't know that they were not supposed to touch, but that makes sense. Did you have a bite as well? Thanks...

Funny question.... Actually, yes! But it was from a fellow student, not a dog... It's a long story... AFF PS When the balls don't touch, the exercise is far more therapeutic.

Wow! Do yo think that any of my other ideas have merit? (ankle or wrist weights on forearms near elbow, playing with the unaffected area of the finger, etc.)? Thanks...

If you hang a weight on your forearm, your forearm responds by flexing (lifting itself upwards). This takes the pressure off your finger, making it easier to move. You could recreate the same phenomenon simply by flexing your forearm as you play - feel the forearm coming up and away from the keyboard as your fingers play. I suspect that if there is any trace of the notorious 'arm weight' technique in your playing, in your case it would prove especially deleterious... It would create compressions which a normal finger might put up with but yours simply can't handle. Lighten up! AFF

Good points! I hadn't thought of it that way.... Sometimes trying to overcome something means trying "too hard..." This may be a case where that strategy has an effect opposite of what was intended. Thanks...

When I had some nerve damage years ago, those Chinese metal balls that you roll around in your hand were a tremendous help. I would highly recommend them. Then Andrew, how about your elastics? Do you think this is a case where they might do some good? AFF Yes, definitely worth a go: