Any parents of hypermobile musicians?

[MumblesAndMutters]

I’m looking to get a sense for what playing an instrument might be like for a hypermobile child. If your DC are hypermobile, what do they play and do they enjoy it or is practising hard-going?

My concern really is whether DD’s hypermobility might hinder her in playing an instrument. She’s too young for an instrument still, but loves music and her music class teacher thinks she’s got a good ear. DH and I are trying to think ahead a bit for various practical reasons. We aren’t looking to raise a musical prodigy by any means, it’s just about whether we should try and keep instruments open as an option or whether it’s unlikely to be that feasible anyway, even if she did want to.

My DC's aren't particularly hyper mobile (the odd finger joint maybe) but we know musicians who are. As they get older, the muscles they use for playing should get stronger and better support the joints... depends how severe the hyper mobility is. Logically strings and piano might be more of a challenge and are often best started young. So in your shoes id probably start with recorder- it's light, instantly rewarding and the learning and fingerings can be easily translated into other woodwind instruments as DC gets bigger. Kids that start out on recorder make rapid progress on other woodwind instruments when they switch. But it's also a fab instrument in its own right!! Then of course there's proper singing lessons....

I'm hypermobile and successfully played the clarinet, flute and piano. All great for nimble fingers and great for wrist strengthening!

DC hypermobile and very musical. We found that the piano and clarinet strengthened their hands. Both also string players but one is finding it hard due to hand pain. Drums helping one to develop upper body strength and stability.

With hypermobility you should strengthen as much as possible so instruments would be good rather than bad. We were told DDs gymnastics and trampolining was perfect for her and had benefitted her hypermobility by strengthening the muscles supporting ther otherwise lax joints.

I didn't realise I was hypermobile as a child, but only when I had a lot of pain as an adult and went to a physio - the repetition and stretching that I needed to reach various notes led to problems later on, and also means that my technique was never ideal as my knuckle joints moved as I did certain movements - but that was really hard to notice to a non-expert teacher. I did always have pain of various sorts, and just assumed it was normal. Some of it was because of very small hands, though - probably wouldn't have been such an issue without.

There is an excellent hand therapist who specialises in hypermobility and musicians and has written several articles - she has ways of adapting instruments, building splints and supports etc, to make them more suitable, as well as giving exercises. Although it's very expensive to go see her, you can find the articles online for free, and even just one session might be valuable at some point once the child is underway and you can see what the issues are with the specific instrument, and make sure that they aren't overusing a certain joint, or whether they need adaptations, before it becomes a problem. Or if you have private health care, you may be able to get that covered, if you find that there are problems or pain developing.

My DS really suffered with his back as a cello playing hyper-mobile teenager, so much so that he gave up the second he could.

I have one dd who is slightly ' hyper mobile'. She plays bassoon which has very complex finger patterns with no issues. It's important to get the right position for any instrument though and her teacher often corrects this. If you were worried about dexterity, brass instruments mostly just use 3 or 4 fingers of one hand and the bigger ones are rested on your leg or chair. Eg tuna, euphonium. The finger position is in some ways slightly less critical eg with violin a couple of millimetres out makes you out of tune. It's not to say they are easy but the challenge is different.

*tuba obviously, playing a tuna would be be weird!

Goodness! Thanks so much to everyone for such thoughtful and helpful responses. Really useful to see what’s possible in terms of support and accommodations. I’m encouraged that this doesn’t mean no instrument. Have made lots of notes for when the time comes. In the meantime we’ll try and work on building strength more generally.

(I did laugh a lot at playing a tuna 😂)

My dd plays piano and clarinet but I think her hand hypermobility is not too bad. I think she might have struggled with flute/violin due to shoulder structure.
I just came on to say that it might be worth finding out if eg electric keyboards require softer strikes which might be good?

Hypermobility can be a mixed bag. Having the extra flexibility may make some stretches or positions easier however there needs to be the strength in the supporting tissues/muscles to avoid placing structures under undue pressure/overextending and causing damage. As a number of posters have written - playing can be beneficial to strengthen. If it hurts, stop. A good teacher should correct position and posture.

(I have general hypermobility including fingers, elbows, shoulders and play guitar)

My dd has hypermobile fingers and found playing the recorder in primary school almost impossible.

My ds is VERY hypermobile and finds physical demands very tiring so gave up drumming but may take it up again when he is bigger and and stronger. Different but DD is very dyspraxic. We didn't realize this when she took up violin 😂. Its been amazing occupational therapy ! She is very hard working and determined which helps. It takes her longer to 'get' some things but she gets there. She is never going to set the world alight , but she is doing ok for a child who can't use proper cutlery or eat an ice cream without wearing it at 11 ! She is also a dancer and tumbler although again she has to work harder than her peers to achieve what they do. I'd say if there is something they really want to do they are more likely to put the effort in to make it work.

It may depend on where the hypermobility is.

I know one person with a lot of mobility in her thumbs which was probably the only reason she could manage the bassoon very young. DD has quite a lot in her fingers - getting a good hand position for piano takes a bit more effort, but the playing has strengthened her fingers. At one point she did complain of finger pain, but it went away again. Fingers that bend backwards easily may make bow hold harder, I suspect.

I have a history of back and shoulder problems relating to hypermobility, and unfortunately I chose to play the viola, which is one of the worst instruments for that, being relatively heavy to hold. (I think orchestral physios see more of viola players than any other instrument.)

(Not on instruments, but if she is hypermobile in her hips, breaststroke can be a problem. Some find it painful; DD didn't, but her legs went out too wide, and she never really managed to solve that.)

I have a violinist with hypermobile hands/fingers who is now 15. Her bow hold has been a work in progress but she plays very well (going into her 4 year in the regional talent program etc)

Cutlery on the other hand ...... 😅

As a hypermobile musician with hypermobile children who play (strings) it just means going a bit slower, certainly at the beginning, to ensure that the fingers are in the right positions as it takes longer to build up strength in them- but it’s helped them develop their finger strength. Having a teacher that understands is key- they can’t help their bow holds- they will get their eventually, it just takes time. I wouldn’t discourage learning an instrument, but make sure that your child isn’t in pain as hyper mobility effects everyone differently.

DS is hypermobile and plays the trumpet. He also has low tone - I think the two can go together. and both impact on his playing. He finds it fatiguing holding the instrument correctly for any length of time. Overall, learning music and performing has been brilliant for him and his occupational therapist thought it was great for him. He's got to grade 3 but I don't think he will be going much further. Lack of playing opportunities because of lockdown have killed his motivation sadly. I'm hypermobile and after a slow start as a child because of super bendy fingers did pretty well with piano and clarinet. It is great you are considering this!

DD has very hypermobile fingers - finds holding a pen or pencil and writing extremely tiring and painful so now touch types for almost everything.

Strangely she doesn't seem to find it a problem for the piano and has always had her hand positions complimented by teacher and examiners.

Theraputty is useful as well for strengthening.

Thank you so much to all the posters on here for such considered and encouraging replies. Feeling a lot more hopeful and better informed.

my two DS's are hypermobile, as am I. I've played piano & flute - no issues from hypermobility. DS2 plays piano, oboe, violin. no trouble so far. However DS1 is by far the most hypermobile of us all (can tie himself in knots). he's done fine with oboe and piano but could not get anywhere with the cello - hated it and dropped it like a hot potato. Part of the issue was the reduced accuracy of proprioception. I suspect many hypermobile people could succeed with most instruments but very hypermobile people might want to avoid string instruments and heavy/large instruments, and might find it easier sticking to those with fixed key positions e.g. clarinet, flute, oboe, piano.

Mine found that the harp worked well - the hand position was quite comfortable and it built up finger strength. The big advantage was that the playing position was quite easy at it rests mainly on the floor. It is not a cheap instrument though if they want to progress to a big pedal number - not just the harp but also the car to transport it.....