[Dixielandjazz] Jazz diseases/ Occupational marks

Tue, 24 Sep 2002 16:50:49 EDT

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Hi Dr. Fred,

I find this an interesting thread. I agree with you that perhaps the 
incidence of physical diseases among jazz musicians may not differ from the 
general population to a statistically significant degree. Perhaps limiting 
the research to mental health might be more revealing. I am thinking of areas 
like depression, addictive behaviour (drugs, booze, nicotine, sex, yes that 
too!), bi-polarity, relationship commitment etc.

As far as occupational marks are concerned, here is one that applies 
exclusively to trombonists. I invite all trombone players on the list, that 
is those who are right-handed and hold the instrument with their left hand 
and move the slide with their right hand, to take a look at their left 
pinkie. Specifically, to the inside of the first joint of the pinkie. I would 
not surprise me if you notice an enlargement of the joint. Compare it with 
the pinkie of your right hand. This is the result of how you routinely hold 
the horn. Now, this will not have any impact on our life expectancy, but I 
think it is interesting nonetheless. The only thing it does for me is that, 
while I do not have particularly strong hands, I can snap a pencil with ease 
between the fourth finger and pinkie of my left hand. Not that I have a 
frequent need for that; it's just one of those things.

Speaking of frequent needs, another occupational mark which, I suppose, 
applies universally to brass players, is the fact that we develop very strong 
lip muscles. This may also apply to reed players who use double reeds, like 
to oboe. These strong lip muscles come in handy under certain circumstances. 
I could expand on that but, then again, I don't want to be thrown off this 
list :>).

Regards,

Rob "Trying to keep in shape" van der Plas
Scottsdale, AZ

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<HTML>Hi Dr. Fred, 
 
I find this an interesting thread. I agree with you that perhaps the incidence of physical diseases among jazz musicians may not differ from the general population to a statistically significant degree. Perhaps limiting the research to mental health might be more revealing. I am thinking of areas like depression, addictive behaviour (drugs, booze, nicotine, sex, yes that too!), bi-polarity, relationship commitment etc. 
 
As far as occupational marks are concerned, here is one that applies exclusively to trombonists. I invite all trombone players on the list, that is those who are right-handed and hold the instrument with their left hand and move the slide with their right hand, to take a look at their left pinkie. Specifically, to the inside of the first joint of the pinkie. I would not surprise me if you notice an enlargement of the joint. Compare it with the pinkie of your right hand. This is the result of how you routinely hold the horn. Now, this will not have any impact on our life expectancy, but I think it is interesting nonetheless. The only thing it does for me is that, while I do not have particularly strong hands, I can snap a pencil with ease between the fourth finger and pinkie of my left hand. Not that I have a frequent need for that; it's just one of those things. 
 
Speaking of frequent needs, another occupational mark which, I suppose, applies universally to brass players, is the fact that we develop very strong lip muscles. This may also apply to reed players who use double reeds, like to oboe. These strong lip muscles come in handy under certain circumstances. I could expand on that but, then again, I don't want to be thrown off this list :&gt;). 
 
Regards, 
 
Rob "Trying to keep in shape" van der Plas 
Scottsdale, AZ</HTML>

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