• How is your tremor?

    Posted by Noemi Elina on 2 March, 2021 at 4:38 pm

    Hi! I would like to know what kind of tremors you have.

    I’m diagnosed with Essential Tremor in both hands, most of days after some minutes of practice the tremor decreases, but there are some days that it makes almost imposible to practice. How you cope with your tremors?

    Noemi Elina replied 3 years ago 4 Members · 5 Replies
  • 5 Replies
  • Daleen Comer

    Member
    3 March, 2021 at 5:01 am

    I have essential tremor as well. I take several medications, and they help much of the time, but not all of the time. My handwriting is often terrible, for example, but other times it’s fine. If I’m not too hot or too cold, not too hungry or didn’t just have caffeine, I’m much better, so I try to practice during those times. Sometimes I have to reschedule practice because I start but I am having a bad hour, so I try later. I play piano as well, and that is not as affected by the tremor.

    • Noemi Elina

      Member
      18 March, 2021 at 4:57 pm

      I have not seen any progress with meds, and my neurologist agreed with me in that I’m so young for the adverse effects that they cause, and are more than the benefits. I was diagnosed since 10, now I’m 30. Tremor are not to bad yet, but some days they made a lot of antics to my playing. It’s great to know that I’m not alone and that we can share our journies here.

  • Connie Lo Porto

    Member
    3 March, 2021 at 6:11 am

    I have a constant head shaking, extreme left hand and light right hand tremors. They started when I was 40yrs old. Progressively gotten worse. They originate at the base of the brain and travel into my arms. I am left handed which makes my hand writing extremely jittery. I occationally jerk and release which could send a dish to the floor. Playing the harp has helped me focus, but sometimes when I am learning and pause the hand will shake and not place. I did take meds but they interfered with my concentration in other things. The Dr. wants to give me botox injections in my neck. This could help but it is only good for about 12 wks. then you need more and more with each injection. I refused and prefer to cope the best I can. I have good days and bad weeks. I am 68 yrs. now. The tremors do not stop me they make me more determined to achieve. I started to learn the harp last yr. as my husband keep a 47yr old promise to me. I didn’t think I would be able to give him a song because of my fear. But the determination was greater. I succeeded…..

  • Debbie Jones

    Member
    3 March, 2021 at 4:29 pm

    Hi, I was diagnosed with Essential Tremors last summer (2020), so I am fairly new to this. I am not on any specific medications for the tremors. I am 69 years old, and I assumed that my tremors were just a natural part of the aging process. Like Connie, I am left-handed, and my once very nice handwriting is atrocious at times now. However, my right-hand is more problematic at the harp than my left although both present problems. About two weeks ago, my teacher suggested a new technique that I should try, and it seems to help a little. I see how it could be very beneficial once I become comfortable doing it. What we are trying is this….when I move my hands to a new position on the harp, I do not hover or place my fingers on the strings immediately. I hover with a closed hand just as long as possible without placing. Then, at the last minute, I open my hands and place. This is taking a lot of practice, but I think it is helping. She has me practice by playing (very slowly) 3-note arpeggios in 4/4 time….three quarter notes followed by a quarter rest. Move to the new position on beat four while keeping my hand closed just as long as I can before opening and placing on the next notes. Right now I am focusing on root position chords, but as I become more comfortable with the technique, I hope to progress to other inversions and four-note arpeggios and various other hand positions. I neglected to say that I purchased my first harp, a walnut SE Fullsicle, in November, 2019. I began lessons in January, 2020 (thank goodness for Zoom!), and I purchased my second harp, a walnut Dusty Strings FH36H, in November, 2020. I’m looking forward to following others’ input on this topic.

    • Noemi Elina

      Member
      18 March, 2021 at 4:51 pm

      Hi Debbie, thanks for sharing. It’s quite interesting the technique you’re trying with your teacher. How does it’s working? Since I read the message (I havent answer for the technical issues) I want to try it, but I always forget it when I’m practicing 😅

      Nice to know more about you, and I hope all of we can learn from each other.

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