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swidmann
Sep 5, 2007, 5:55 PM
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I don't suppose there is anyone who both climbs and plays piano seriously? I used to climb often but stopped a couple of years ago. In the meantime I have returned to playing piano. I still would love to get back to climbing but think that it can't be good for anyone seriously into playing the piano - what with all the muscle that developes in the forearms of climbers. Are there any informed opinions out there?
Thanks,
Sebastin
(This post was edited by swidmann on Sep 5, 2007, 6:00 PM)
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epoch
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Sep 5, 2007, 6:06 PM
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swidmann wrote: I don't suppose there is anyone out there who both climbs and plays piano seriously? I used to climb often but stopped a couple of years ago. The the meantime I have returned to playing piano. I still would love to get back to climbing but the thing that it can't be good for anyone seriously into playing the piano - what with all the muscle that developes in the forearms of strong climbers. Are there any informed opinions out there? Thanks, Sebastin
Buahahahahaha.
Seriously?
Climbing has really hurt my ability to type well. The whole gripping stuff with my fingers has impaired my ability to type with speed and accuracy. T-2. I mean, once I was able to type 88 words per minute, but because of my outrageously bulging forearms I can now only point and peck.
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musicman1586
Sep 5, 2007, 6:21 PM
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Yeah, I'm guessing this is a troll, but if for whatever reason it is not than I can assure you that if you don't over do it, you will feel no adverse affects when playing piano. When I first started climbing I would push myself too hard and hurt my fingers a few times (nothing serious, but had to take a day or two off) and during those times it was hard to play piano, however since then I've come to be very careful about how I push myself (less burns a day on projects, etc.) I climb 4-5 days a week (work in a climbing gym) and still have had no serious injuries or impairments to my piano playing in the past couple years.
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campo
Sep 5, 2007, 6:22 PM
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I really want to say, "troll" but for some reason, I think the OP is serious?
Did I get suckered in?
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deane
Sep 5, 2007, 6:22 PM
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Well, I actually play quite a bit of oboe (talk about a useful college major) and guitar. So far I have had absolutely no problem with climbing impacting on my playing. Other than the concern about a pulley injury or something, typical wear and tear shouldn't really hold you back.
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neuro-kid
Sep 5, 2007, 6:41 PM
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As a serious concert violinist, gig guitarist, and climber, I can reassure you that climbing does not have an adverse effect upon the playing of musical instruments. It has actually given me better articulation. If it doesn't hurt my violin career, it certainly won't hurt the casual pianist.
-JBU
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reg
Sep 5, 2007, 7:26 PM
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swidmann wrote: I don't suppose there is anyone who both climbs and plays piano seriously? I used to climb often but stopped a couple of years ago. In the meantime I have returned to playing piano. I still would love to get back to climbing but think that it can't be good for anyone seriously into playing the piano - what with all the muscle that developes in the forearms of climbers. Are there any informed opinions out there? Thanks, Sebastin
i'll bite - it's not the muscle that will inhibit dexterity but your sense of touch - rough, callus skin. if you played well before climbing then you should continue to play well unless your injured of course.
i play but not very well.
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coastal_climber
Sep 5, 2007, 7:46 PM
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I can play Happy B-day. Don't worry about it, if anything, your piano should get better.
>Cam
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thomasribiere
Sep 5, 2007, 7:57 PM
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I had a friend who was a professional pianist (teaching + concerts) and a 5.10 climber as well. He never complained about climbing impairing his musical skills, as far as I can remember.
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ladyrockstar
Sep 5, 2007, 8:37 PM
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Check out Frank Sanders at Devil's Tower. He's put up more FA's on the Tower than anyone else, has been to the top more than a thousand times, and runs a guide service, taking all kinds of people to the top (including me, a 60-year-old noob). He just recorded a CD (actually, three of them, which he needs to narrow down to one). He plays piano at an Italian restaurant in Spearfish, usually after one or two summits at the Tower earlier in the day. His climbing and his piano playing are both incredible!
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swidmann
Sep 6, 2007, 6:26 AM
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Apparently mine was a stupid question, though I don't really see why. Anyway, thanks for all the information. (Also, I now know what a troll is.)
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granite_grrl
Sep 6, 2007, 3:12 PM
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ladyrockstar wrote: Check out Frank Sanders at Devil's Tower. He's put up more FA's on the Tower than anyone else, has been to the top more than a thousand times, and runs a guide service, taking all kinds of people to the top (including me, a 60-year-old noob). He just recorded a CD (actually, three of them, which he needs to narrow down to one). He plays piano at an Italian restaurant in Spearfish, usually after one or two summits at the Tower earlier in the day. His climbing and his piano playing are both incredible!
Thank you, Frank also came to my mind. Amazing climber, amazing pianist.
Go for a visit, he would quickly ask you to come and play with him on his baby grand at Devil's Tower Lodge. Perhaps you can rope up after you're finished your jam session.
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coach_kyle
Sep 6, 2007, 3:38 PM
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I play viola. Climbing has not effected my abilities except for 1 broken finger that got better. In fact, I think the stronger forearms have improved my technique.
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ladyrockstar
Sep 6, 2007, 4:37 PM
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Yes, I spent most of two months at Frank's this summer, mostly painting the outside of his house. He gave me a free room so that my dog didn't have to stay out in the hot van all summer. We did get some chances to go climbing, too. I left for a week at a time now and then to go hiking, but always went back to Frank's. I was sorry that I couldn't finish the house (it was 3/4 done), but I teach at the university in Green Bay and had to get home. I can hardly wait for vacation to be out there again!
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tb69hikeclimb
Sep 6, 2007, 5:14 PM
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I guess the next logical question would be , who makes a portaledge that will support a piano and and you ? might want to consider getting one with enough room for the oboe player to accompany you.
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talnlnky
Sep 6, 2007, 5:20 PM
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deane wrote: Well, I actually play quite a bit of oboe (talk about a useful college major) and guitar. So far I have had absolutely no problem with climbing impacting on my playing. Other than the concern about a pulley injury or something, typical wear and tear shouldn't really hold you back.
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freezorburn
Sep 14, 2007, 2:00 PM
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I just did both last night. Climbed then played piano, You just can't do both at the same time.
When starting out Climbing for the first 3 months don't push too hard Let your fingers build strenth slowly. Stop climbing for the day if your tendons start to hurt.
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jsh
Sep 14, 2007, 2:57 PM
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Hi Sebastin,
I'm a violinist, and I've been climbing since 15 years or so.
For me the calluses are complementary - violin calluses are on the very fingertip, while climbing sometimes erases my finger pads. I've sometimes felt stiff for an hour or two after climbing, so I won't climb the day of an evening concert, and I practice before going to the gym, but other than that, no long-term joint or stiffness problems. I try to be more careful about crimping and tendons, because for me a blown tendon is a bigger problem (though I did blow a tendon last winter, with no lasting ill effects). I am a little paranoid about too-good finger locks.
I would also say that climbing has helped my playing by overall upper body strength. My back is stronger, which helps me sit up straight for hours in rehearsal, and helps me be a better player with less effort. Good technique (in both pursuits) is all about not over-gripping, which is what you lapse into when you're tired .... and stronger core muscles keep you from getting tired.
All that said, I have a good friend who is a concert soloist, and while I think he'd really like climbing, I don't think I'll ever bring him out.
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jmvc
Sep 14, 2007, 4:50 PM
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I play the cello, no problems noticed, apart from being able to play at high speed for longer without getting tired.
Though as jsh says, playing on the same day as a serious climbing session can be a problem.. The fingers are tired and clumsy..
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jaybro
Sep 15, 2007, 6:14 AM
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Dang! When I saw this thread I jonsed to bring ths colonel in, first. dang, again!
Oh well.
Mr ament has some piano chops and they say he's made a move or two on rock.
Didn't Beckey teach Eubie blake how to play piano? or the other way around?
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usacpnw
Sep 15, 2007, 2:38 PM
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#5863 Sean McColl -87 Canada, Van City Presentation | Routes | Boulders | Picture Gallery | Blog
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I started climbing when i was 10. When i was 12, i did my first 8b+. When i was 14, i did my first 8c, and at 16 i did my first 8c+. Im also in grade 10 royal conservatory piano.
Date of birth 1987-09-03
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