Musicians with Dystonia Bulletin Board

He lives in Manhatten, teaches at his apartment and charged $240.00 for the lesson, well worth the price and the long drive.

The biggest revelation was his positioning of the right thumb. My problem is mainly the "i" and thumb, so we spent alot of time with this. As you look down at the right hand when it's over the strings ready to play, raise your thumb up towards your face. The position of the right hand should aproximate how you would hold a tennis ball (which he handed me). If you keep the thumb in towards the palm, it constricts the fingers at the first joint. Look at your palm and move your thumb in and out and observe your fingers move closer together and farther apart. The large muscle thing comes from bending the arm at the elbow. Place a finger on a string, and bending at elbow bring it up towards your face keeping your wrist straight. He said "let it fall through the string" As the speed increases the movements get smaller but you'll still be using the large muscles. The same with the thumb but down. It sounds simple, and it is, in theory, but hard in practice. It is working for me. "im" scales are 92 to the 16th rest stroke and 72 free. Sixes are around 40-50.

Of course posture, relaxation etc are also inportant.

I believe this guy's the real deal, if you can get there and you have the patience and discipline, I believe he can help almost anyone.

Imaier, I asked him your question from your post, but he didn't understand you problem enough to make a suggestion.

Drummer, yes, he works with drummers.

Julie, Try to track down Vera Wills, Shetaught keyboard and biomechanics at the Manhatten school and is well versed in FD.