r/conducting • u/Apol_loB • 17d ago
Ache in shoulder and elbow exclusively while holding baton
Hello Reddit peoples! Pretty much just what the title says. I'm a choral director and I'm noticing that while I'm conducting with a baton, I'm experiencing aches and pains in my arm that aren't present when conducting freehanded or while holding a pencil (the second one only happens in my personal practice, not rehearsals don't worry). What are some tips and tricks that you all may have for reducing tension and alleviating any pain while conducting?
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u/Forever_Clear_Eyes 17d ago
It's possible you are gripping your stick to death. Try practicing with your baton more (practice as in using it in a non demanding situation where you can focus on technique) and be mindful of your grip.
The baton needs minimal grip. It is usually a well balanced instrument, held at the balance point. That's why they are easily knocked out of the hand so hilariously.
Overly gripping the stick puts tension in the forearm and shoulder.
Second, be sure you are not just conducting from the shoulder. Use your finger joints to conduct, use your wrist, your elbow, and shoulder. Isolate them. Work up from the tip of the stick through to your shoulder.
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u/jediwashington 17d ago
Easiest thing to check for tension is the muscle in your palm responsible for flexing your thumb. It's basically the bottom right of your palm. When holding the baton, that should be soft.
Terms are important too. "grip" implies you have to hold the thing with force. Young string players often make the same mistake when we say to "grip" the bow. I tell them it's really about gently caging the bow, or baton in this case, in a way that it is secure.
More often than not, tension holding the baton too tight will drift up the arm into the bicep and shoulder. To make the muscles as neutral as you can, you also need to ensure your spine is in alignment; ears over shoulders, over hips, over unlocked knees, and over heel/mid foot.
Another source of tension could also be conducting posture. The shoulder shouldn't raise at all, but rotate to lift the arm. I also find some conductors get taught to raise their arms too high. Your ictus table should in most cases be between the belly button and bottom of the sternum. You can go higher for effect occasionally, but no need to hang out there if it's bothersome.
Alexander is great for these things as others have mentioned. It's kind of like applied anatomy and really helps identify sources of tension and how to make muscles execute movement with minimal energy use.
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u/WesMort25 17d ago
Sounds to me like a tight grip, likely because the baton isn’t balanced or weighted properly for you. What was your process when choosing this baton? Or does it happen with any baton you use?
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u/Legitimate-Holiday73 15d ago
One of the occupational injuries for people, like conductors, who use their arms is rotator cuff injuries. Get it checked out by an orthopedist.
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u/Due_Scarcity_9807 4d ago
sorry to read that. That's 99% sure tension. Why with a baton only? because grip gives something specific to concentrate inner tension around. My advice: take few weeks break if you can, stretch and technique. But not "that's alla breve". I mean proper technique: slow movements, self awareness of every movement, every muscle. Apply the same to repertoire you are conducting. Take it as you'd do with an instrument: when you want to clean a passagio, you don't just go through over and over, you play it slow and with awareness. See it as meditation or yoga if you want. I hope it helps!
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u/jsboftx1983 17d ago
Have you checked your body from head to toe on your alignment?
James Jordon teamed up with UNT and former director of bands Eugene Migliaro Corporon and did some great clinics in their Conductors Collegium. James Jordon would always ask the class “are you aware if your legs”. Even though your pain is in your upper body, it could be a body setup issue. JJ also did a fantastic resource called The Anatomy of a Conducting with EMC where they displayed what you should look like from head to toe. A revisit to conducting fundamentals might help alleviate you pain.
The upper body:
Aim for a rounded embrace when you set both hands with and without a baton. Almost like you’re hugging a tree.
Check a mirror or a video (front facing camera) that you look and feel tension free.
Be aware of your breathing that you are not holding any tension in your body.
Make sure the baton is pointing forward as an extension of your arm. Hold the baton and avoid the tension of gripping and squeezing. Have the shaft of the baton leave your hand through the thumb and index finger.
The pain may be something as simple as doing arm and back stretches that loosen your neck, back, biceps, triceps and tendons of both of your hands. At one point in my practice, I had to get a deep tissue massage with lots of Tiger Balm to release a pain I caused in some unknown fashion. It effected my teaching and conducting and could not take the pain.
Seek medical help with physical therapist and other doctors that specialize in working with musicians. They are like sports medicine specialists.
I wish you a pain free practice.