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.