My brain likes to think that it’s in charge. If often issues imperious edicts like, “put that cookie down” or “we’re going for a run now”. Typically, the rest of me falls in line and meekly does as it’s told (I’m looking at you arms and legs!).
But we’re musicians, athletes of the small muscles. When my brain seeks to order those little muscles around, they can be insolent. You know how it goes – the melody needs rapid direction changes and there you are with no more fingers in the direction we need to go! In these situations, the “usual” straightforward fingerings just won’t work. And in response, those small muscles don’t just balk, they rebel!
One can hardly blame them – they’re scared because the brain is asking them to do something they’ve never (or rarely) attempted (and typically with very little time to get there). It can get nasty with the brain becoming more strident while the fingers cower like sheep becoming paralyzed with fear. Poor fingers need to move in weird combinations or odd order of play.
Those fingers would be less afraid if they were strong, independent fingers! So, how do we help them gain that independence? Nothing a little exercise can’t fix to build strength, confidence, and most importantly, independence!
If you’re tired of reading (or think this doesn’t apply to you) go crack open Grossi, Richards, or Salzedo and prepare to sweat! But this is a little different, so hang in there with me!
Still here? Cool! We’re going to do two sets of exercises, but first you need this chart and two dice:
I know it’s intimidating – but hold on! Roll the dice to find the part of the chart you’re going to use – one for the row and the other for the column (if you roll two 6’s you can pick any column!).
Put your hand on a table, fingers curved – like you’re going to drum them on the table or like you’re typing. Now, tap your fingers in the order listed in the cell you have identified – lift each finger off the table in turn and put it back down. Go slowly, gently, in control, relaxed. Fingers follow our usual harp playing (1 = thumb, 2 = index, etc. and 5 is your pinky (even though we don’t play with it, it still needs to be included). Keep your wrist off the table in a neutral position. Relax. No, really – relax all of you, your fingers (obviously), your hands, arms, shoulders. Breathe.
Start by setting a time for about 15 seconds and work your way up to the entire table. Build slowly and focus on keeping your hand relaxed with your fingers moving (and changing) smoothly. When it becomes effortless – then you can add more rows or go faster. Start with each hand, then progress to both hands doing the same order.
I cannot stress enough – stay relaxed and in control. This is not about speed but about focus and on building that finger independence. You want each finger to move on its own without the others moving at all (this might be more challenging for some fingers than others).
When it becomes easy, move on to the next step – chose one order for right hand and another order for left hand.
Relax – it’s not Rocket Surgery – it’s more challenging!
Now, the next level, which is actually easier! Don’t move to this until you can do the previous exercise easily. Move to the harp. Same idea but we need a new table (since we don’t play with the pinky).
| Finger Order on the Harp | ||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 | 1,2,3,4 | 2,1,3,4 | 3,1,2,4 | 4,1,2,3 |
| 2 | 1,2,4,3 | 2,1,4,3 | 3,1,4,2 | 4,1,3,2 |
| 3 | 1,3,2,4 | 2,3,1,4 | 3,2,1,4 | 4,2,1,3 |
| 4 | 1,3,4,2 | 2,3,4,1 | 3,2,4,1 | 4,2,3,1 |
| 5 | 1,4,2,3 | 2,4,1,3 | 3,4,1,2 | 4,3,1,2 |
| 6 | 1,4,3,2 | 2,4,3,1 | 3,4,2,1 | 4,3,2,1 |
At first, simply place and move your fingers to tap the strings. This is a new task (even though it feels the same). Relax, go slowly, build up. Only when you can do that easily, then you’ll play.
This is all about independence and control which we can build and develop by staying relaxed and focused. As Marcus Aurelius might have said (had he been lucky enough to play the harp) “I don’t have to like it, I just have to do it.”
Being able to control your fingers independently will stand you in good stead in all types of tunes and all manner of arrangements with sticky wickets. Give this a go and let me know how you get on. If you’re more advanced and think you have this licked, try it, and let me know how it goes! I am also interested in how frustrating (or not) you find it so please share your thoughts – let me know in the comments!