Michael's Wrist: in memoriam

I'm being dramatic. My wrist is fine now, I think. But it would seem as though my years of playing percussion with technique that's always been just a little bit too tense had finally caught up with me. Since August, my right wrist had been hurting on and off, so I would just wear a brace, take some Ibuprofen, and take it easy for a few days, and I could start playing again. But this time, it lasted for a good 5 or 6 weeks. It was truly scary.

My percussion professor here at Appalachian State is Dr. Rob Falvo, one of the lead experts in the bodily-kinesthetic aspects of percussion (as far as I'm concerned, at least). He is a huge believer in Alexander Technique, a technique for examining how we use our muscles, and how we can use them most efficiently. To oversimplify, relax. So he has been a great help to me, in redefining the aspects of my technique that are harmful.

I've recently decided to reaffirm my commitment to staying more positive. So I've tried to shift from simply complaining about it to thanking God for the timing of it, at least. It fell during the most intense part of the heaviest classes I'll have to take in my Master's program, so it forced my to focus on my schoolwork and actually being a responsible student. And my Master's recital isn't for another year. So all in all, I'm glad it happened now instead of a year from now.

So by now, I've started practicing again. I hated not being able to. I felt almost purposeless not being able to do what I want to do. It's certainly nice to be back.