FOOTNOTES:
[6] One or two of these exercises may possibly have been mentioned in some former work.
CHAPTER XII.
MECHANICAL FINGER-EXERCISES.
First movement.
Fig. 24.
Fig. 25.
Take for each hand three cylinders, three quarters of an inch long, and from half to one inch in diameter, according to the size of the fingers; place them between the upper ends of the fingers, and while gradually and conveniently extending the muscles, by bending the fingers, move the latter as shown by the above figures, 24 and 25.
Second movement.
Fig. 26.
Fig. 27.
Move the cylinders further down, to the roots of the fingers, and perform the exercises according to Figs. 26 and 27. In doing this, put a small round piece of wood between the thumb and the forefinger, at a distance sufficient to extend the former as much as possible.
Leaving the other fingers as before, put a large cylinder between the thumb and forefinger (28 and 29), so as to entirely fill up the intervening space. In doing this, be careful to extend the thumb as much as possible. In case the tension of the fingers is small, take smaller cylinders: or if the latter should be too hard for tender hands, cover them with some soft substance, such as velvet, or the like.
Third movement.
Fig. 28.
Fig. 29.
Perform all these exercises vigorously, and, if possible, just before practising the musical instrument, twice or three times daily, each time for a few minutes, especially in the morning, on getting up. As a matter of course, after eight or 10 hours rest, the muscles of the fingers and wrist, like those of the rest of the body, are somewhat stiff, and ought to be prepared by proper gymnastic exercises, before beginning to play. Besides, provided over-exertion be avoided, there is not, according to the best medical authorities, the least danger to be apprehended, from these exercises, for the joints and muscles of even the very smallest hands.
If players of the piano and the violin should object that, in the act of playing, the fingers need not be as much extended as prescribed here, or assert that the finger-exercises, scales, and études as at present used are perfectly sufficient, and that nothing more is wanted, I can only repeat, that the fingers must be prepared in order to render them strong and flexible; that, for this purpose, it is necessary to exercise them gymnastically, and that, as I have explained before, these preparatory exercises will save much time and trouble, and facilitate the work of both teachers and pupils; further—that, by the diligent practice of these gymnastics, the fingers become elastic and independent of each other; you acquire thereby complete control over them, and when you have done this, you can move them and do with them as you will.
Another most effective mode of stretching and loosening the tendons and ligaments which encompass the large middle-hand bones, or “knuckles,” may be performed as follows:
Place the forefinger of each hand, up to the middle joint, firmly on the table, and in that position press it up and down with a certain degree of force, for a few seconds; then withdraw it, and apply the next finger in a precisely similar manner; then the two other fingers in succession, each finger remaining on the table alone, unaccompanied by any other.
Afterwards apply the 2nd and 4th together, exactly in the same way, for a few seconds; then the 3rd and 5th; lastly the thumb.
The pupil may do this many times a day with great advantage; for by this process the ligaments and tendons of the knuckles are stretched and loosened, and the muscles are set free.
Of course always with due moderation.
Another very important exercise, bearing chiefly on the tendons and ligaments of the large metacarpal joints or knuckles, is the following:
With the thumb and forefinger of the one hand take hold of one finger of the other hand, and shake it up and down, for one minute, to its root. Then take the other fingers in succession in like manner. To be applied equally to both hands, and to be done, especially with the 4th and 5th fingers separately, as often as leisure permits.
To this category belongs also ANOTHER EXERCISE of the metacarpal joints or knuckles. Into the palm of one outstretched hand place the closed fingers or fist of the other: then open and close the latter as fast and as long a time as is agreeable, always continuing to press upon the palm. Change hands and repeat. Ever remember that the difficulties of bringing the fingers into order lie, physiologically, almost all in the middle-hand bones or knuckles; and as the five preceding exercises,—and especially the three last,—act in a very efficient and special manner upon the ligaments, tendons, and muscles of these and the other joints of the fingers, they cannot be made too often.
CHAPTER XIII.
MECHANICAL FINGER-EXERCISES (CONTINUED).
It is not sufficient to play the ordinary finger-exercises and scales. As has been shown in the opening chapters, and in the anatomical representations of the hand, all the fingers are not equally strong; for instance, the 4th and 5th fingers are, by nature, much weaker than the others, and it is necessary to remedy this inequality.
Each finger ought, therefore, to have gymnastic exercises for itself, and they ought to be performed on some solid body, which can be firmly grasped. For this purpose take a round staff, from 12 to 18 inches long, and half to three quarters of an inch thick, on which, at a proper distance from one another, round indentations are made, and into which the fingers are to be placed after the manner illustrated in the adjoining and following figures.
Directions.
Place the thumb of each hand on one side, and the four fingers very firmly fixed on the other side of the staff; raise one finger as high as possible, and let it fall down vigorously, like a hammer, 20 times in succession, while the three remaining fingers, stretched out from one another, like claws, remain immoveable. In the same way exercise the other fingers; firmly, slowly, vigorously, and immediately after the cylinder exercises just described. Repeat this three times daily, each time for five minutes, altogether for 15 minutes a day, but the oftener it be done the better.
Those playing the piano need not confine themselves to one particular exercise, but may make use of all the figures at pleasure.
Fig. 32. Fig. 31.
Fig. 33.
The fingers of the left hand may also be trained for violin playing, as seen in Fig. 35.
Fig. 35.
Further upon the same. After the cylinders, by far the most effective of all means for imparting, gymnastically, strength and flexibility to the fingers, together with evenness of vigour, individuality, and independence, is, daily, in the room, or while walking, to take the above-named staff, or, indeed, a smooth round stick of 18 inches long, and half to three quarters of an inch thick, or an ordinary walking-stick, and to perform on it as follows—With the four fingers of one or both hands firmly pressed and stretched upon it, raise one finger as high as possible, and, as above stated, let it fall down upon it vigorously, like a hammer, while the other fingers remain firmly pressed on the stick, 20 to 30 times in succession, then in couplets with the 5th and 4th fingers, then with the 4th and 3rd, then with the 3rd and 2nd, 20 times each, the two fingers, in all cases, as stated, lifted as high as possible, and the others remaining, stretched at even distances, firm upon the staff; finally, with the four fingers of each hand, 12 times ascending, and 12 times descending, but always SLOWLY, energetically, with firm pressure, “and in time.” You may occasionally practise a little faster, but it must be the exception. Slow moving, pressing, and stretching should from the chief gymnastic rule.[7]
In a similar manner you may practise, slowly and with energy, with one or with both hands, all sorts of difficult, muscular movements and passages upon the staff, for example:—
First series. In couplets 20 to 30 times each in succession, with the 2nd and 4th fingers, alternating, afterwards, with the 4th and 2nd; then with the 3rd and 5th fingers, alternating with the 5th and 3rd; in each case the two fingers stretched wide apart, and the other fingers pressed upon the staff.
Second series. In couplets 20 to 30 times each in succession, with the 2nd and 3rd fingers, first close together, then wide apart, afterwards alternating in the same way, with the 3rd and 2nd. With the 3rd and 4th fingers first close together, then wide apart, afterwards alternating, in the same way, with the 4th and 3rd. With the 4th and 5th fingers, first close together, then wide apart, afterwards alternating in the same way, with the 5th and 4th. In each case slowly, the two fingers lifted as high as is convenient, 20 to 30 times in succession, and the other fingers remaining firmly fixed upon the staff. Lastly, all the four fingers together, in each of these varied and different directions.
The number of times of each movement, and the duration of time, also whether all should be made at the same hour, or otherwise, is left to the discretion of the teacher and pupil. I would recommend, at first, the selection of three or four modes or exercises for persistent practice, to last over a given period of time, then to change to others.
But the regular exercise of the whole or part of them, daily, will, in a comparatively short time, most surely impart immense strength to, and render flexible, the muscles and joints of the fingers; will enable you, if the directions be duly followed, to effect for yourself perfectly equal and even fingering, and render the fingers entirely independent one of another.
But let all be done with due moderation, and not driven to excess.
This gymnastic staff, or walking-stick exercise, however simple it may appear, should, on no account, any single day be omitted. It produces a most surprising effect if carefully and vigorously made; an effect which will be the more remarkable in proportion as the fingers are pressed and stretched far away from one another. By this means all the various muscles, and even the tendons, joints, and ligaments are put into motion, and both fingers and nerves are rendered strong and firm. Besides, no time need be lost; as in performing these exercises you may converse or engage in other occupations.[8]
In this manner, also, the 4th finger may have a special training, and become equally strong with the others. This finger is, on physiological grounds, the weakest of all, and after a number of vain attempts at remedying its well-known weakness, some physiologists of note in Germany, have gone so far as to suggest the idea whether it would not be well to cut the ligament joining the two fingers, in order to set the 4th finger free.
But it is unnecessary to have recourse to such rude and unnatural measures; the natural weakness of the 4th finger may be effectually remedied, and may be entirely overcome, by the above exercises. The same exercises, if performed strictly according to the directions given above, are extremely useful for all the fingers, which they will render both strong and flexible.
These exercises may be partially performed on musical instruments; but they are far more effective if made gymnastically, as directed, because the fingers, in having a resting point, or lever, and having something firm to grasp, are enabled to perform them gymnastically.