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Musician with bizarre speed issues

Hello!

Not sure what field my issue is related to, but I believe there is neurology involved. I play drums and piano, at a pretty high level, and since young I have noticed a rather annoying difference between my left and right sides.

It's especially bothering for drums, let me explain : I seem to be unable to develop speed with my right side (although I'm right-handed), either with the foot or the hand. I can move my left fingers (which control the stick) and ankle repeatedly to play fast single stroke rolls, but the exact same motion applied to my right side just doesn't work. My muscles kind of "freeze" and all I can do above a certain speed is to try to force the motion either with the arm (or thigh) or by using tricks such as "push pull" motion which brings no power nor consistency.

Eventually I can sort of "control" a shivering of the wrist/arm to play very fast notes but the range of such a technique is very limited and sometimes I don't have the tonus to get that shivering.

So, to make it short, despite lots of exercises (practising slowly, isolating fingers...) and brain-storming during the past years, there has been absolutely no progress whatsoever and worse, I developped a recurrent tendinitis in the right arm. Apparently my case is quite uncommon. Most right-handed drummers have no problem getting their right side up to speed with single strokes.

Could it be a weird neural structure? If so, is there any way to change? I must add that I have absolutely no problem playing fast phrases on the piano with my right hand, as long as it doesn't involve repeating notes at short intervals with the same finger. No problem either to play fast drum licks like double strokes or paradiddles.

Again, this is really an issue of moving the same finger (or group of fingers, or ankle) "up and down" repeatedly above a certain speed. Like 8th notes at 170 bpm or so.

Many thanks,
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Avatar universal
Hello,

Thank you! This seems to be a relevant track to follow, although I couldn't find any information about unilateral dysdiadochokinesia (but I guess it occurs if lesions in the cerebellum are unilateral). Well, I will mention this to a doctor asap.

MS, I don't think so, in fact I've had this issue for a very long time : I  started drumming at 6 or 7, and as I can remember I was already significantly slower at repeated strokes on my right side. Over time I understood that this was related to fingers speed. I don't think I would even be aware of this, if I didn't play any musical instrument.
Helpful - 0
351246 tn?1379682132
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!
Inability to repeat movements at a fast pace or at the desired pace is known as dysdiadochokinesia. It usually occurs due to lesions in the cerebellar hemispheres (cerebellum) or in the frontal lobes or in both areas.
Though not likely in your case dysdiadochokinesia is also seen in Friedreich's ataxia. Another possibility is multiple sclerosis. Please discuss with your doctor. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.
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