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| Author | Topic: Collapsing fingertips |
| Amy |
posted 7/29/04 6:58 AM
Should one worry about collapsing fingertips in beginners - and, if so what should one do about it? |
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Richard (Moderator) |
posted 8/22/04 12:54 AM
Hi Amy, Sorry you have had such a late reply. I wouldn't worry a lot about collapsing fingertips. If you read my article "Curved Fingers - and Tension?" (to be found on the home page of this site), you will see why. Whatever people like to think, piano playing isn't an entirely natural thing for us to do - although we can learn to incorporate as many natural movements as possible - and that is why beginners often look rather a mess! I like to give them a bit of time to get used to the feel of things before wading in with the usual curved hand position thing. What pupils are trying subconsciously to do with their collapsed fingertips is to bypass the effect of the flexor digitorum profundus muscle which binds the tips of fingers 3, 4, and 5 - and sometimes 2 as well - together. Because this muscle controls the fingertips, they get rid of the binding effect by simply not using it. Unfortunately, what usually what happens is that they then use the flexor digitorum superficialis instead, which flexes the finger at the middle knuckle (the proximal interphalangeal joint), thus forcing the fingertip to buckle. When the pupil has had time to adjust to the feel of the keyboard it is time to encourage them to start with a curved hand position and then let the fingers gently open out at the middle knuckle (like the way the leg unbends at the knee when we put a foot down) as they play. This will help the tip not to buckle and lead to a better and more independent finger technique. If you merely tell them to keep their fingertips curved, the whole hand and wrist will tighten. Have a look at the two powerpoint shows on the Piano Teaching page of this site for more info. - you'll find them under "Articles." |
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