PIANO STUDENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21912, 22 September 1934, Page 10 (Supplement)

PIANO STUDENTS

LOOSENING HAND MUSCLES i The problem offered by a piano student whoso daily work causes a development of tense muscles in the hand and forearm, and a stiffening of jtlio finger joints, is one that is frequently met with. Mr. L. C. Chambers, writing in the Etude, suggests an exerciso for loosening the muscles of the hand and foro- [ arm as well as the finger joints. Place tho thumb of the right hand on C above middle C. Skip the following D End put the second finger on E, the third finger on F, tho fourth on G, and the fifth on A. Do not allow tho fingers to break in at the first joint, boing also very careful not to allow the thumb to break in at either joint. Tho thumb and first finger should form a letter C (reversed) if tho position is good. • Press down all the notes mentioned; begin with the thumb, striking C on count one, whilo all the other notes nre held down. Hold the C down and strike E on count two, remembering at all times to hold down all notes} except the one boing struck. Go back to C on the third count and to E again on co\int four. Then begin with E on count one, F on two, E again on three, F on four, and so on till all the fingers have been used. Then start with the fifth finger and return to the thumb. Use the same plan with the left hand, only place the thumb on A below middle C, skip G, then F, E, D and 0 with tho other fingers. Practice each hand separately at a slow tempo/ lifting the fingers high each time a note is struck.