Klarinet Archive - Posting 000042.txt from 2002/02

From: Stephanie Smith <stephms@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Stiff Finger joint
Date: Tue, 5 Feb 2002 09:18:33 -0500

Mike-

If I understand the problem that you described, I've had the same trouble
before. How are you positioning your hands when you play? Are your
fingers slightly curved? For me, the problem was that I played with my
pinkie finger sticking straight out. This resulted in the joint locking
up, just like when you stand with locked knees. To rectify this, I had to
think about two things. First, I needed to allow my pinkies (and all
my other fingers, as well!) to be slightly curved. Keeping them straight
not only locks the joints, but it also causes unnecessary tension in the
muscles and inhibits rapid and free motion. Second, I had to correct my
idea of from what joints my fingers move. Try this: make a fist, letting
the tips of your fingers touch your palms. Now look at the back of your
hand so that all you can see is your fist, no fingers. Look at the joints
at the top of your fist. These are the first joints where the fingers
attach to the hand, and this is where movement of your fingers should
originate from. Now open your fist slowly and think about the feeling of
moving your fingers from those first joints. Turn your hand over, and
look at where those joints fall on your palm. It should actually be right
around the highest crease on your palm...a lot farther down than you might
have actually thought your fingers extended! This was a major
breakthrough to me. Once I started letting my fingers curve and the first
joint do the work it for which it was intended, my problems with my pinkie
fingers locking up completely disappeared. I hope this helps you. Good
luck!

Stevi Smith

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