The Case of the Locking Pinky: Improving Flute Technique for Hypermobile Students
Whoops - looks like your pinky locked again and you can’t hit your low C - am I right? Yeah, I’ve been there too. As a hypermobile musician, it’s important to understand what locking joints can do to your technique and, even more importantly, how to prevent them.
Hypermobility refers to the ability of joints to move beyond the normal range of motion, often due to ligament laxity or altered connective tissue. For flute players, this condition can present both advantages and challenges. While hypermobility may allow for greater flexibility and range of motion, it can also increase the risk of injury or discomfort, particularly when it comes to maintaining proper posture and technique. In this article, I’ll explore how hypermobility affects flute players and offer some strategies to manage its impact on playing.
Some of the unique challenges for hypermobile musicians often find themselves manifested in technique issues as well as the preponderance for injury. So, awareness is key. We need to be able to diagnose the issue and then dive into fixing it. Remember, I am not a doctor and if you’re dealing with injuries, you should seek medical advice from a medical professional. This blog post explores my experience as a hypermobile flutist, a student of Alexander Technique, and a teacher of many hypermobile students.
Understanding Hypermobility
Joint hypermobility is characterized by an increased range of motion in the joints, often allowing individuals to move their limbs beyond the typical limits. This condition can lead to a range of common issues, including joint pain, instability, and a higher propensity for injuries such as sprains or dislocations. Many individuals with hypermobility may also experience conditions like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which affects connective tissue and can result in a variety of symptoms, including skin elasticity and vascular issues. Additionally, those with joint hypermobility may find themselves dealing with chronic pain and fatigue, emphasizing the need for a mindful approach to movement and physical activity to promote overall well-being. Understanding the interplay between hypermobility and its associated conditions is essential in developing effective strategies for managing symptoms and enhancing quality of life.
When it comes to flute technique, hypermobility can manifest in lots of ways including locked pinkies, “hitchhiker thumb”, pain in the wrists, pain in the shoulders, and even pain in the jaw and hips. Often, hypermobile humans find it really easy to sink into or push into their joints rather than using their muscles to hold them upright or hold their flutes up correctly. For instance, it’s easier to have your thumb forward, wrapping it around your flute, causing your pinky to stretch and lock into the joint than it is to find the balance point of your thumb which allows your pinky to curve. And, I promise, it’s not about laziness. It’s simply how we’ve learned to move through the world with a condition that’s really hard to diagnose.
Identifying the Locking Pinky
Ah, the locking pinky. The bane of so many flutist’s existance. So many struggle with the transition from D to Eb or going between your low C and C# to D, or even with your left hand, struggling with our Ab. And we drill and drill and drill, not realizing that the reason we’re struggling is simply because our hand is sinking and our pinky is locking. And here’s the thing: it feels like something that can’t be helped, but I’m here to tell you that you CAN overcome this with a little work and mindfulness.
The locking pinky causes technique problems in the whole hand and wrist, not just the pinky itself. It causes not just fatigue, but strain in the tendons in your hand (otherwise known as the flexor carpi ulnaris). This can over time cause those tendons to get over-stressed, causing overuse injuries and even in some causes, tendinitis, or tendon “popping” out of place. So, we have to be strategic and mindful to move forward and correct the problem.
Strategies for Improvement
Remember that correcting the locking pinky is not simply a matter of body - it’s also a matter of mind. You must be able to feel (using your proprioception and body scanning) when it’s happening in your hand or wrist before you’re going to be able to fix anything. So, first we dive into the awareness.
Body scanning. Closing your eyes and slowly holding each part of your body into your awareness, paying attention to what you feel and what you notice. You’re not here to judge, but rather just observe the feelings and sensation of your hands on your flute.
Standing or sitting posture check. Take a moment while you’re playing and just check in with your overall posture. Are you slouching. Are you leaning forward or back. Can you see yourself in a mirror or in your recording to observe what happens naturally as you play? Pay attention to your natural tendencies and make notes.
Mindful movement. Make subtle changes to your posture or to your hand position while focusing on how it feels to do so. You’re not necessarily aiming for perfection, but you want to know how it feels to move your thumb forward or back, left or right, etc. Understanding how it feels to be in one position or another can help you make more subtle changes over time.
Often times when there is a problem with the pinky, we actually need to look closer at the thumb and the wrist. For instance, if the right hand thumb position is too far forward, it forced the pinky to flatten and lock. If the right hand wrist is bent in one direction or another, it can also cause the fingers to flatten and lock. Again, when it happens, the body sees it as easier to sink into the joints rather than to use the muscles to hold correct posture. So, it’s important to create a very natural, flat wrist, keep our thumb pulled back just under the pointer finger, and curve the fingers as though you’re lightly holding a stress ball.
There are performance aids that can help with posture including the Finger Port, the Thumb Port, and the Flute Flex Pro. All of these can help correct hand posture, wrist position, and create better habits for playing overall.
There are targeted exercises for the pinky that you can practice, mind being the Trevor Wye Daily Exercises in his Practice Book for the Flute - Technique. You can also target the fingers individually in his Digital Exercises within his Advanced Practice book. That said, make sure that you’re paying close attention to the hand position while you’re drilling because otherwise the exercise is a moot point and it’s only further instilling incorrect position. So, check your hand and wrist position often. Test your proprioception. Body scan.
Finally, the benefits of working with a qualified flute teacher to help correct posture issues cannot be overstated. It’s important to work with someone who can help change your posture over time, building muscles and recommending specific exercises for you and your specific needs.
Incorporating Mindfulness in Practice
Mindfulness can significantly benefit hypermobile flute students by promoting greater body awareness and control. These students often experience increased flexibility, which can lead to challenges in maintaining proper posture and technique. By integrating mindfulness practices into their learning, they can develop a better connection between their mind and body, helping them to pay attention to their physical sensations while playing. This awareness enables them to make informed adjustments in their posture and breath, reducing the risk of strain or injury. Additionally, mindfulness encourages a calm and focused mindset, allowing students to approach their practice with patience and commitment, ultimately leading to a more enjoyable and sustainable musical journey.
Integrating mindfulness into flute practice sessions can enhance focus and enjoyment. Begin each session with a few minutes of deep breathing, allowing yourself to become present and aware of your body. As you play, pay close attention to your physical sensations—the vibrations of the flute, the flow of air, and the sound produced. Practice adopting a non-judgmental mindset, observing any distractions or frustrations that arise without reacting to them, and gently returning your focus to the music. Break your practice into smaller segments, taking intentional pauses to reflect on your progress and sensations. This allows for a deeper connection to the music and fosters an enriching experience that encourages long-term engagement with the flute.
In conclusion…
Hypermobility in flute players can lead to challenges like joint instability, pain, and technique issues such as locked pinkies or wrist strain. While hypermobile individuals may benefit from greater flexibility, they also risk overusing joints rather than relying on muscles for stability, which can cause injury. Developing body awareness and mindfulness is key to managing these challenges, along with making mindful adjustments to posture and hand position.
Key Strategies:
Body Awareness: Use body scanning and posture checks to identify areas of tension or improper alignment.
Mindful Movement: Focus on subtle adjustments to thumb, wrist, and finger positions to prevent joint locking.
Targeted Exercises: Practice with proper hand positioning using exercises like Trevor Wye’s Daily Exercises.
Mindfulness: Begin each session with deep breathing, paying attention to physical sensations to reduce strain and improve technique.
If you’re looking for coaching on dealing with hypermobility in your flute playing, click below to schedule a free consultation for flute lessons in San Diego or online flute lessons.
