Which martial art is safer for a pianist?

[shotochem]

There is risk in all MA and pretty much any sporting activity. In Shotokan karate, I have broken a finger hare and there. I have also sliced my hand and fingers cutting a sandwich at home in my own kitchen.

 

Give it a try, if its something you think you will enjoy. I've learned that when I tend to worry about hurting myself and trying to be too careful I tend to get hurt more than if I trained normally.

 

If you feel a particular technique is doing damage to your money makers(hands) modify it so you are not out of work. That comes first. I personally do not break much and I no longer go out of my way to condition my hands. I still have to eat and support a family. Just use a little common sense and you will do just fine.

[superfighter]

there is destruction in tae kwon do with both the feet and the hands, this though is only purely optional and so one shouldnt be worried about being forced in to it.

[WolverineGuy]

When you go to check out a school, be sure to express your concerns to the instructor, just in case. I'd definitely stay away from any art that is primarily grappling...my hands cramp up quite a bit from grappling when i go for extended periods of time.

[ExaltedLegend]

TKD is good it is probaly the most popular martial art anyways I would recomend TKD

[equaninimus]

I've hurt my hands worse from playing violin (tendonitis) than from Karate.

[Rich67]

I'd have to disagree with the people who say that TKD or TSD or other styles involving kicking are safer for the fingers and hands than other styles. You have gotta block those kicks (at least I did), and sometimes it is done with a knifehand or open block. I can't tell you how many times I jammed my fingers arainst someones foot or shin while sparring. I also broke a finger once while sparring blocking a spinning kick. I'm not getting on you or anything, but if you are going to take any contact activity, you better be prepared for an injury of some sort. Including but not limited to your hands! I respect your love for the piano (I played a long time ago too) but you need to decide which is more of a desire for you. If you play professionally and NEED your fingers to earn your living, then look into yoga or pilates classes.... if you play recreationally, and don't depend on your fingers 100%, then GO FOR IT. Or, you can always take martial arts, and just go easy on it and not give 100%...tell them you can't spar all out, or you can't risk your hands....but if that's the case, then I say WHY BOTHER????

[alterego]

thanks everyone for your suggestions.

 

i think, even though i depend on my hands in order to earn a living, to give it a try with TKD.

 

......i'm not gonna get injured the first bloddy day am I?

 

i guess that once I'll be in, i'll be able to judge the risks myself...

 

Thanks again

[Icetuete]

if you want acrobatic flashy stuff you might wanna try modern Wushu or Vo Dao Viet Nam.

 

in any case: i play the piano too (although i dont earn my money with it and i probably suck in comparison to you ) and did not have any trouble yet.

 

if you fear that you could injure yourself so badly that you cant play at all/ cant play properly anymore: in a good martial arts class, injurys are rather rare.

 

why dont you go get an insurance for your hands, just in case. ask your instructor about insurances!!

[delta1]

I'd go with Tiaji (Tai Chi), but as drunken monkey pointed out, stay away from the shui jao and jin-na (locks and throws) applications. Taiji is a much more relaxed and gentler on the body type art, even when done as a martial art and not just a healthy dance. It may even improve your piano playing.

 

Any hard art (and TKD is one of the hardest) carries the probability of injury, and the hands are one of the highest risks. Blocks, strikes, and other maneuvers done with the hands put them constantly in harms way.

 

Even if you don't sprain or break anything, you will be doing drills that I guarantee will leave your hands and forearms sore, bruised and acheing. Doesn't sound like a good way to go do a piano performance.

 

I don't mean to put you off here. I love the martial arts, and I hated every minute of piano practice with a passion. I've worked out with dozens of styles of martial arts, but I'll listen to very little music. But I have to tell you that the reality is you need those hands for your living, and any of the hard/external arts will probably compromise your ability to use them as a professional pianist. Taiji would not only not harm your hands, but if you love music I think you'll really appreciate the deapth, harmony, and the intricacies of Taiji. (Don't ask why I like it. My Taiji class all think I'm a little off- they constantly ask what I'm doing there. I like the passive, yielding concept, but only because it puts my opponent in a position where I can do something really ugly to him. )

 

Hope this helps. Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

[tommarker]

I have seen quite a few people jam a finger pretty good when eating a kick with their block.

 

The worst hand injuries I've seen in TSD are (obviously) from people attempting breaking techniques beyond their ability.