I can't take credit for this, but I found some great finger strengthening and stretches posted on another site. So I'm going to give credit for this to "LightRaven". So here they are:
Requested Finger Exercises
These exercises do not require your instrument... and they are pretty convienent as you can do them anywhere....
To increase Stretching distance:
This one sounds really stupid but it works... While watching tv or something of that effect, place your forearm between the fingers that you want to be able to stretch more... most common is sticking your arm between the middle and ring fingers... and the ring and pinky fingers... These three fingers have a hard time stretching and being independant of themselves because the muscles these fingers used are attatched to themselves, where as the muscle for the index finger is seperate from this muscle group. Once your fingers are comfortable with one part of the arm... which can take a couple of days, go to a thicker part of the arm.... don't over do this by going to the a really thick part of your arm first... The purpose of this exercise is to separate the muscle group attached to the last 3 fingers so they can be independent and strong... not rip the muscles!
To increase finger mobility and independence.. (which leads to strength):
Start in the position with your hands pressed together... palm to palm. Fold all fingers down, with your right hand index finger being first in the line of folded fingers. Then switch the line so that the left hand index finger is first in the line.. do this a couple of times to warm up the hands... The object it to not let your palms come undone.
Return to the plams/hands pressed together with the fingers lined up and pressed together with the opposite finger. Start with the index fingers by folding them down, right index finger first, then switch with the left index figner first. DO NOT LET THE OTHER FINGERS MOVE, OR THE HANDS TO COME APART! Do this slowly at first. Then go back into the start position and do this exercise again with the middle fingers... Fold them over the hand with the right one first in line and then switch so the left it first in line. Then you do this same thing with the ring and pinky fingers. 10 sets for each finger sould be sufficient for the first couple of time you do these... eventually, you want to beable to do this very fast, with out the other fingers moving or the plams of your hands coming apart.
You then do these exercises in sets of 2... the index and middle fingers, then the middle and ring fingers, and the ring and pinky finger. Then you the index and ring and then the middle and pinky. Then you do this in sets of three.. the index, middle and ring, then the middle, ring and pinky.
These exercised are usually hard at first because you are not used to moving fingers individually, or with odd sets, especially when you are not allowed to move the other fingers that normally move with the others.... the object is to do these faster and faster (there is no set limit after you are able to do it good)
WARNING... if you get pins and needles in your hands... or while you are doing the exercises your fingers are getting cold.. stop what you are doing... you are either pinching a nerve, or restricting blood flow.... these exercises are good warm ups before you play or practice, but learn when you are doing too much because they are very demanding on the muscle groups....
Exercise sets #2:
Pinky Swirl:
This is used and was taught to me by a good friend and a Timbali player (A latin percussion instrument, incase you were wondering)
With your hands in fists, and your pinkys sticking out, try swirling your pinky's in complete circles, without undoing the fist, or moving other fingers. You might have to do one pinky at a time until you are able to do both at once. You can also do this with the ring and middle fingers..... you can do it with the index too, but that is really easy for the index finger to do.
More finger Independance:
start with your hands in front of you, palms down and your wrists resting on something. Keep your fingers tightly together, move your index finger down but only by the primary knuckle. Like creating an "L" with your fingers. Return the index finger and do this with the rest of the fingers all while not moving any other fingers. Then you do it in sets of Index, Middle; Middle, Ring; Ring, Pinky. The in sets of 3, index, middle and ring; middle, ring, and pinky. Then complete this exercise with the set of index, ring; index, pinky; then middle, pink
These are really hard to do as you are straining and putting alot of pressure on the knuckle, they also tend to be a little painful.
Next Exercise:
Start with hands in fists. Raise the index fingers, lower it (Like you're saying "We're number 1) Raise the Middle fingers, lower them (Like you are flipping someone off.) Then raise the ring fingers, lower them, and lastly raise the pinky fingers and lower them. Do not move any fingers. Then you do it in sets of 2: Index, Middle. Middle, Ring. Ring, Pinky. Then sets of Three. Index, middle, ring. Middle, ring, pinky. Then in the sets of Index, ring. Index, pinky. Middle, pinky.
Remember..... Any significant pain, tingling of fingers or hands, or the sudden coldness of hands or fingertips means you should stop and shake out your hands.... and let them rest!
Enjoy guys!
LightRaven
[FONT=Arial Black]Rockin Rick[/font]
Originally Posted by: Rockin RickYou Never get a second chance at a first impression! Make it a good one!
