Jackson's Gymnastics for the Fingers and Wrist / being a system of gymnastics, based on anatomical principles, for developing and strengthening the muscles of the hand for musical, mechanical and medical purposes: with thirty-seven diagrams

by Edwin Ward Jackson

Many presidents and teachers of the most celebrated gymnastic institutions have, therefore, come to the determination to introduce into their establishments these exercises in addition to the other branches of gymnastic training. Their practical utility for all those who work with their fingers, for anatomists, surgeons, sculptors, watchmakers, and many others, is as evident as their salutary effect;—from a medical point of view, in curvature and paralysis of the hand and forearm, in weakness of the muscles and nerves, writers’ cramp, and similar complaints,—is undeniable.

CHAPTER VII.
MUSIC IS THE ART WHICH MAKES THE HIGHEST DEMANDS ON THE MUSCLES OF THE FINGERS. MOVING THE FINGERS UP AND DOWN INSUFFICIENT.

These exercises for persons engaged in musical pursuits can, least of all, be dispensed with, because music is the art which makes the highest demands on the muscles of the fingers and wrists.

Eminent physiologists say, “Gymnastic exercises for the fingers and joints ought to have been commenced 150 years ago; they form the real foundation of practical art.”

It is, indeed, incredible that so great an art as piano and violin playing should have arrived at so high a stage of perfection without a previous training of the muscles. As a matter of course, this is only to be ascribed to the unremitting exertions and the indefatigable zeal of the teachers, and to the unwearying industry of the pupils. And how much easier might this have been attained!

The muscles, ligaments, and tendons consist of soft elastic matter, and, as has been stated, run partly longitudinally, partly transversely. This is a point to be borne in mind. It is, therefore, one-sided and erroneous to believe that the best means of strengthening the muscles consists in simply raising and dropping the fingers. All one-sided practice is hurtful; and an exercise of the fingers limited to an upward and downward movement, occasions much severe work. If, on the other hand, the muscles be moved according to physiological principles, in all directions, both laterally and up and down, and trained gymnastically, they will become within a very short time strong and flexible.

CHAPTER VIII.
ARTISTS AND TEACHERS OF MUSIC.

If any one should say that he has diligently studied the piano and violin after the method used at present, and in course of time has learned and taught it with the greatest success, without having found it necessary to trouble himself about any other system, my reply is, that music is one of the most beautiful, and with respect to muscular work, the most difficult of arts, and that all the arts and sciences, music not excepted, have made enormous strides in advance during the present century. But exactly because music has become a universal boon for all classes of the civilized world, one ought to be so much the less disposed to shut out new ideas respecting it, from whatever side they may come. The representatives of this art, professional musicians and teachers of music, are generally the most active and often the most educated men, who devote their lives to the art, and promote it in a way which is hardly acknowledged sufficiently by the musical world. The most highly honoured, however, are those who have made the greatest progress in theory and in practice, or who have readily and generously acknowledged such progress, from whatever direction it might come.

It is, therefore, the duty of all to assist teachers of music and proficients, as much as possible, in promoting this beautiful accomplishment; for this reason, encouraged by persons of the highest distinction, and moved by the love of the art and of mankind, I venture to make known my “Gymnastics of the Fingers and Wrist,” and to offer to all who work with their fingers in general, and to musicians in particular, a means which, based on physiological principles, leads most surely to the attainment of artistic execution, and which is in itself so simple, that any child may use it; a means, too, which will effect a great saving of time and facilitate the work of both teachers and students.

I have only to add that, as a matter of course, these exercises, in order to have the desired effect, should be performed gymnastically and regularly, according to the directions given, and not otherwise; whilst, on the other hand, they ought not to be carried to excess, nor are they intended to supersede the usual finger-exercises, scales, and studies.