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

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.