I kind of hijacked the “Berklee” thread a couple of days ago and brought up this issue, and I really appreciate all of the advice I was given regarding how to treat my son’s (possible) tendonitis. Today he went to the clinic Berklee uses and was given a referral for a “hand specialist”, and we’ve discussed his options for various approaches/PT on- and off-campus.
However, this morning (before he went to the clinic) he called me in an awful mood because the wrist is now extremely painful. A few days ago, here at home, he’d attempted the piece he planned to play for the placement auditions TOMORROW, and at that time he felt he’d be able to manage it. But he did so much work getting up to Boston and then moving his stuff into his dorm (all pretty much on his own because I’d been rendered pretty much useless on the trip up by falling really hard on my chin), that I think the problem became a whole lot worse over the weekend.
So he obviously won’t be getting any treatment other than good ole RICE (which he’s been doing for a couple of weeks) and some 800 mg. Ibuprofens that I had around by audition time.
Can anyone suggest a way to broach the subject when he goes in to try to play? Certainly he doesn’t want to sound as if he’s trying to make excuses, but on the other hand it seems that the people hearing him should know that he may not be at his best tomorrow.
I told him that s*#% will often happen in his career (I mentioned Bono losing his voice completely at that concert in Germany!), and that part of what he needs to learn at Berklee is to find ways to calmly and professionally deal with whatever comes up.
Is there something he should/can say, or should he just do the best he can with whatever condition he’s in tomorrow?
I think he needs to explain that he has an injury, has been referred to a hand specialist and is, on doctor’s orders, not playing. He should ask to reschedule the placement audition. So sorry about your chin!
Thank you, @glassharmonica ! It’s getting better (and could have been much worse). I have to say that right after it happened I probably looked a bit like Marlon Brando at the end of “On the Waterfront” (filmed in Hoboken, where we were at the time!) dragging himself along the pier after he’d been beaten to a pulp 
. But the people around us were really very kind…
I texted my son this morning and told him about your suggestion, reminding him that there’s no shame in doing what you need to do to take care of yourself in order to be a professional. I haven’t heard back from him (I think they have other proficiency tests this morning), but I DO think it will nevertheless find it very hard to ask to postpone it, especially in his first week when no one knows him yet. But I know it will work out, one way or another. And I have a feeling he’ll also do very well on the placement tests, so that should help.
Whoa…we got ourselves kind of a situation here. But I’m feeling oddly optimistic about it–not sure if the optimism is appropriate or not, but here’s what happened.
He went to his placement audition (after seeing a hand specialist who recommends lots of PT for the foreseeable future… the injury is apparently quite bad). He explained the situation, and ended up “tapping out” the various scales, reading exercises, etc., rather than actually playing them. He also demonstrated what he’s taught himself so far in playing the guitar using only one hand (pretty impressive, from the little I know).
He was told that he has a very good knowledge of scales, etc., and that his reading–even just “tapped out”–was the best they’d heard all day.
BUT–they’re recommending (and I see this as wise and caring) that he avoid instrumental work for at least a semester! This is BERKLEE, mind you!
Afterwards he went and spoke to one of the chairs, who, he said, was very nice (mega points there on my end!). She said, among other things, that he could perhaps do arranging for an ensemble while he can’t play. Given his interest in composing and arranging, I told him that it sounded like a useful and interesting challenge. Yeah, he said, but I’ve never arranged for, like, 15 guitars before. Exactly–seems to me that it would be a fantastic and unique learning experience, especially for someone who takes musical challenges and works his butt off to master them.
I assume he’ll be able to take other classes in composing, etc., as well (I think he already completed most of his liberal arts requirements at Purchase).
So I’m not sure where it will all lead, but I know he’s up to doing great things with challenges, and I just have this feeling that this could possibly work out even better than if he just did things in the usual progression there.
Am I being naive in my lemons/lemonade thinking? I mean, it had crossed my mind that they might just suggest he go home, which would have been AWFUL for him. I’m glad that, so far at least, they seem willing to work with what he CAN do for the time-being.
Clues, anyone?
Oh wow! That’s a lot to process in the first week! I think your optimism sounds reasonable. It is a bummer your S has an injury, but I’m so glad it is being taken seriously AND that he is being given opportunities to participate in ensembles anyway; especially in a way that will cater to his interest in arranging and composing. I’m sure he’ll be kept productive, busy and on track while he heals up, and have no trouble getting back up to speed when he’s cleared to play again.
Sorry about your fall! Speedy healing to both of you!
Thank you! Just when you think everything is finally about to go “normally” (whatever that is!), it all goes weird! Or you fall on your face in a train station…
@AsMother i am happy for your son. Sounds like a caring place that wants him to succeed. Its so hard but i think your lemonade approach is good!
I think it sounds like a great opportunity. He will likely meet different people (students and faculty) than he would by going the “normal route” which will likely lead to more opportunities. IMHO, the advantage to Berklee is (above all else) the opportunities.
My vocalist D has been given great opportunities (that have worked out quite nicely) at her school by faculty outside of her primary instrument and even offered some pretty nice opportunities outside of the music department altogether. I personally believe a well-rounded musician (and person!) is highly valuable and in great demand. My D would love to explore even more if she only had the time. (She is completely maxed out on credit and not for credit classes.)
Take full advantage!
Thank you, @klbmom18 !
And @dbandmom , that’s exactly what I was thinking-- being forced to take a somewhat different path may take him places he didn’t even know he wanted to go.
I’m hoping that he can replace some of the guitar lessons with Composition classes, a little sooner than he would have been able to take them otherwise.
He seems to have no interest in pursuing it, but he also sings beautifully. Maybe someone there can convince him to use his voice as his instrument, at least for the time-being. I myself cannot.
I think this is the best possible outcome of his audition. If he’s thrown into a regular semester with a heavy performance load his injury will only get worse, and it could be career-threatening. The response you describe shows that they are being caring and responsible towards his future.
This creative solution indicates that 1) the recognize his potential and 2) the are committed to helping him develop his talents and musicianship. I’m impressed by their response.
I don’t have anything to add - just wanted to say that I know you both worked SO hard to get him there - and although you’re hurting (hope you don’t lose that tooth!) and he’s hurting… it’s wonderful that you are finding reasons to be optimistic. I’m glad you are both looking for the silver lining in all of this. Sending good vibes your way!
As the parent of a musician who was sidelined with tendonitis for part of her undergrad, I’m happy that the school is being so accommodating and finding opportunities for him to grow musically even as he sits out in frustration. One thing my D discovered is that she needed to find another outlet that filled the emotional release that she gets from playing - which led to some new hobbies and a new set of friends as well.
I don’t use social media platforms any more, but I quote so much of what I learn from people here on CC to my son that he says it’s like my Facebook. Maybe, I said, but the people here tend to be smart, incredibly knowledgeable,supportive, and kind. Big difference between this and my now-deleted FB account! You guys have helped us so much over the past few years.
@glassharmonica , I actually texted most of your response to him last night, although all of the responses have been great.
I, too, was impressed by Berklee’s response so far. I’ve read some things about administration and faculty not being “there” enough for students, but I do believe that it’s best to try to let college-age people learn to work things out for themselves–within reason, of course–if my son needs some real help there I fully EXPECT Berklee to be very much there for him. We’ll see what happens when he puts his schedule together and gets placed in an ensemble in one capacity or another, but if they continue in the vein of the dep’t. chair he spoke to yesterday, I will be very pleased.
@stradmom , for how long was your daughter sidelined? It’s wonderful that she found other ways to channel her energy. I’m sure that it’s not a rare thing to happen at all; it’s just that the timing on this probably makes the whole thing seem particularly cruel to my son at the moment (there’s a big new-student jam tonight–I hope that instead of skipping it and feeling resentful he goes and plays guitar or piano one-handed, or maybe sings. I’m also hoping that his fellow students will be supportive and encouraging.)
And, @buoyant , thank you for your buoyant good thoughts for him! I know that ALL of our children have experienced challenges, but to deal with them (and the accompanying anxiety about their well-being), it really helps so much to not feel alone with it.
You all rock, as they say .
So sorry to hear of your son’s and your injuries. Hope you both feel better soon. Is the hand specialist your son was sent to Kelly? I would suggest him to get in touch with the Performing Arts Clinic at
https://www.brighamandwomens.org/neurology/performing-arts-clinic for a 2nd opinion.
Fantastic doctors with very specialized experience and knowledge beyond what the PT can offer (with all due respect). Getting an initial referral might be a challenge if your son does not have a PCP in Boston yet but maybe the school can help with that.
All the best
@HereWeGoAgain2018 , thank you for that too! A “Performing Arts Clinic” sounds really wonderful, and I texted that info to my son as well.
He’s been so busy with orientation activities that we’ve barely had time to talk, and he’s also in “Let me do this myself, mom” mode, which is good but frustrating to a mother stll shaking her “helicopter” inclinations. But he did make an appointment with someone the hand specialist recommended, so at least it’s being worked on, and if necessary other options csn be tried once he’s settled in a bit. I know it drives him crazy not to play guitar!
Thanks again.
@AsMother you are most welcome! Hope your son feels better soon. All the best
@HereWeGoAgain2018 , we finally called the Performing Arts Clinic and sent over a referral from the clinic Berklee students use. The PT seemed to be helping, but a few days ago my son called me to say that, after jamming for a short time with some other students, BOTH of his hands are now all but useless. His guitar teacher has been great about working with what he’s able to do and correcting some form issues that might be contributing to the problem, but even she says she’s running out of things they can work on.
Hi is, obviously and with good reason, upset–he finally attained his dream of going to Berklee, and just as he started he became almost incapable of playing his instrument. And then there is, I assume, the social issue, as I would think that at Berklee a lot of socializing centers around jam sessions. It just seems so unfair (I know that sounds selfish, but it’s how I feel, and I assume he does too).
There is some consolation in knowing that he wants to major in Composition and Film Scoring, because if he was relying on Performance he’d have nothing right now. He likes his other classes in Arranging, Ear Training, Tonal Harmony, etc., but he loves to play, and I know that he was looking forward to “showing them what he can do” with his guitar.
So we’re hoping that he can get seen at the clinic very soon, but I’m concerned that it might be hard to get appointments there.
I’m wondering (I guess I could use some moral support, because I’m upset that I can’t magically fix things for him…I know, I know) if others have insight into how conservatories handle these issues. I know that it’s far from being a unique situation, but the timing just, well, sucks. I read the post on the vocalist with laryngitis and juries coming up with empathy–the pressure must be awful when your body won’t cooperate with your dreams.
PMing you…
Hi AsMother – I’m sorry to hear about your son’s situation. The clinic mentioned above seems like a great idea; my next comments are not in reference to that organization at all – it seems like a place my daughter would check out if she were in Boston, I don’t know it, and a quick glance at the website doesn’t mention the types of treatments they offer. Most important, I’m not a health care professional. I just want to offer my daughter’s experience with overuse injuries. Like many musicians, she’s explored the gamut of treatment options – hand specialists/surgeons, occupational therapists, and numerous so-called alternatives. For her at least, traditional occupational therapy did not help her at all. Neither did Graston technique. What finally did help her was full-body ART (active release technique) from a PT who works with professional athletes, dancers, and musicians in Nashville. Now, a few years later, in NYC and sidelined at the end of a gap year and wondering if she’ll be able to do her grad school prescreen recordings, she’s tried a dizzying number of approaches and people. Once again, the hand specialists and the “best in NYC” referral was no help, the same was true for a place that lists ART (but doesn’t really do it much at all), and the list goes on. Myofascial release (somewhat related to ART) started to help, but finally finding an ART person has once again set her almost immediately on an upward trajectory; she’s back to playing, ramping up practice day by day with no pain, and we’re crossing our fingers. I do not know if this approach would be helpful for your son, but I would recommend – though it’s not at all easy – an engaged, open-eyed approach to the efficacy of whatever treatment option he does pursue.
Thank you, @StringPop ! I never knew how many different therapies there are related to these things! May I ask what instrument your daughter plays? And was she ever given some kind of specific diagnosis beyond “overuse injury”? I’m hoping that the clinic will at least be able to provide that, so that we have a clearer idea as to how to proceed.
Was her UG school understanding and accommodating? I REALLY hope that she’s able to do her prescreens and get into the grad school of her choice!