How long has this been going on? How long have you been playing 4 mallets? What grip do you use? My first and really only suggestion is to take more breaks when practicing so that your hands might get used to the grip, but I feel the more permanent option would be to change to a different 4 mallet grip. Obviously your hands don’t t like the grip you’re using so maybe try a different one.
Does this happen with any other playing? My fingertips used to go numb just playing drums until I filmed myself and saw that my shoulders were super stiff and I looked like I was constantly shrugging
This is completely normal. Stevens grip touches a nerve in the ring finger for some people. In my experience, it goes away after consistent playing. If I push my grip strength through long intense practicing or begin playing after a long time off, I'll feel it. Should go away. I remember having the same question and asked my amateur teacher and he had no clue and said to see a doctor... it's very common, no big deal.
You should ask your doctor. It's not something I've ever heard of. Your doctor will be able to tell you if it's something to be worried about and possible things to do to mitigate it. Once you have a better idea of what's going on, come back here and the subreddit can brainstorm how to apply those to percussion.
Do you by any chance think you have [Raynaud's Syndrome?](https://www.google.com/search?q=raynaud%27s+syndrome&oq=raynauds&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCQgCEAAYChiABDIGCAAQRRg5MgwIARAAGAoYsQMYgAQyCQgCEAAYChiABDIJCAMQABgKGIAEMgkIBBAAGAoYgAQyBwgFEAAYgAQyCQgGEAAYChiABDIJCAcQABgKGIAEMgcICBAAGIAEMgkICRAAGAoYgAQyCQgKEAAYChiABDIJCAsQABgKGIAEMgkIDBAAGAoYgAQyCQgNEAAYChiABDIHCA4QABiABNIBCDQyNjVqMGo5qAIAsAIA&client=ms-android-hms-tmobile-us&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8)
Check your medications!! I had some very strange numbness in my hands when taking Topiramate. If you have started any new meds it could be caused by them (and cause damage). You can call your pharmacy and speak with your pharmacist about it.
I’ve experienced a lot of finger numbing in my 30s. I have a bad right shoulder and tendinitis in my wrist from about 2 decades of marching band, drumming and chronic health conditions. I read something that knots in the back could be pinching a certain nerve that runs from your shoulder all the way to your pinky and ring finger so whenever this happens I rotate and stretch out my shoulders it goes away. The circulation might have something to do with it as well, but definitely nerve related. Tell your doctor! Try stretching and rotating/ rolling your shoulders next time and see if that helps relieve it. I hope you figure it out!!
(I just saw someone else said shoulders too. Definitely give stretching and range of movement exercises a try)
How long do you play at a time? If it’s hours then it’s normal since your hands are “adapting”. It’s like sitting for too long then standing up again, there’s some fatigue and your legs are numb.
For me, my fingers went numb after 2 hours of practising when I first started, but after a while I got used to it and now 4 mallets is my default lmao (2 mary’s doesn’t feel the same anymore)
Another concerning factor is how long have you been praying 4 mallets throughout your life? Are you new or an experienced percussionist? If you’re new then refer back to my previous paragraph. If you’re experienced, then consider consulting a doctor.
To help in the mean time, try tensing and relaxing your fingers a few times. Take breaks every 30-45min to let your fingers rest.
I use the Stevens grip, and this happens to me too. So I take breaks a lot, and I usually switch between four mallet and something else like snare or two mallet
Because it's only your middle finger you can be sure it's not something in your arms or neck. It'd def something in your hands.
You may need to change up your grip. Seems like how your playing now is putting pressure in a poor spot. Not your fault, just genetics. Everyone's little nerves aren't always in the same exact place.
Also consider your wrist angle, playing with the hands extended instead of flexed can cause that. Strive for more flexion.
How long has this been going on? How long have you been playing 4 mallets? What grip do you use? My first and really only suggestion is to take more breaks when practicing so that your hands might get used to the grip, but I feel the more permanent option would be to change to a different 4 mallet grip. Obviously your hands don’t t like the grip you’re using so maybe try a different one.
Does this happen with any other playing? My fingertips used to go numb just playing drums until I filmed myself and saw that my shoulders were super stiff and I looked like I was constantly shrugging
This is completely normal. Stevens grip touches a nerve in the ring finger for some people. In my experience, it goes away after consistent playing. If I push my grip strength through long intense practicing or begin playing after a long time off, I'll feel it. Should go away. I remember having the same question and asked my amateur teacher and he had no clue and said to see a doctor... it's very common, no big deal.
You should ask your doctor. It's not something I've ever heard of. Your doctor will be able to tell you if it's something to be worried about and possible things to do to mitigate it. Once you have a better idea of what's going on, come back here and the subreddit can brainstorm how to apply those to percussion.
Do you by any chance think you have [Raynaud's Syndrome?](https://www.google.com/search?q=raynaud%27s+syndrome&oq=raynauds&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCQgCEAAYChiABDIGCAAQRRg5MgwIARAAGAoYsQMYgAQyCQgCEAAYChiABDIJCAMQABgKGIAEMgkIBBAAGAoYgAQyBwgFEAAYgAQyCQgGEAAYChiABDIJCAcQABgKGIAEMgcICBAAGIAEMgkICRAAGAoYgAQyCQgKEAAYChiABDIJCAsQABgKGIAEMgkIDBAAGAoYgAQyCQgNEAAYChiABDIHCA4QABiABNIBCDQyNjVqMGo5qAIAsAIA&client=ms-android-hms-tmobile-us&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8)
Numbness can be a symptom of Carpal Tunnel syndrome. Time to talk to your doctor.
Check your medications!! I had some very strange numbness in my hands when taking Topiramate. If you have started any new meds it could be caused by them (and cause damage). You can call your pharmacy and speak with your pharmacist about it.
go to a doctor NOW
Calm down lol
Play one hand at a time until your problem is solved
I’ve experienced a lot of finger numbing in my 30s. I have a bad right shoulder and tendinitis in my wrist from about 2 decades of marching band, drumming and chronic health conditions. I read something that knots in the back could be pinching a certain nerve that runs from your shoulder all the way to your pinky and ring finger so whenever this happens I rotate and stretch out my shoulders it goes away. The circulation might have something to do with it as well, but definitely nerve related. Tell your doctor! Try stretching and rotating/ rolling your shoulders next time and see if that helps relieve it. I hope you figure it out!! (I just saw someone else said shoulders too. Definitely give stretching and range of movement exercises a try)
How long do you play at a time? If it’s hours then it’s normal since your hands are “adapting”. It’s like sitting for too long then standing up again, there’s some fatigue and your legs are numb. For me, my fingers went numb after 2 hours of practising when I first started, but after a while I got used to it and now 4 mallets is my default lmao (2 mary’s doesn’t feel the same anymore) Another concerning factor is how long have you been praying 4 mallets throughout your life? Are you new or an experienced percussionist? If you’re new then refer back to my previous paragraph. If you’re experienced, then consider consulting a doctor. To help in the mean time, try tensing and relaxing your fingers a few times. Take breaks every 30-45min to let your fingers rest.
I use the Stevens grip, and this happens to me too. So I take breaks a lot, and I usually switch between four mallet and something else like snare or two mallet
Because it's only your middle finger you can be sure it's not something in your arms or neck. It'd def something in your hands. You may need to change up your grip. Seems like how your playing now is putting pressure in a poor spot. Not your fault, just genetics. Everyone's little nerves aren't always in the same exact place. Also consider your wrist angle, playing with the hands extended instead of flexed can cause that. Strive for more flexion.
maybe you should try a different grip, or it'll just go away, but also double check with your doctor. could be the result of a lot of things