To develop the Interossei muscles you must :
-
Always play with a good hand position.
The knuckle joint is not straight but slightly flexed.
In this position the Interossei can function as starter muscles.
- Develop
Interossei muscle strength.
Through regular technique practice as outlined in this Course consisting of
- warm ups
- fixed hand position (FHP) exercises
- accented scales & arpeggios
- technical pieces
Gradually the Interossei will become strong enough to support the hand and arm on their own. As you start to trust their strength, Flexor and Lumbrical support phases out.This will then free up the wrist, enabling the development of tone, resonance, clarity and fluency in your playing.
Just playing piano regularly does not necessarily strengthen the Interossei muscles.
But sustained regular practice of the correct exercises will.
Gradually you will start to feel a peculiar sensation within the palms of your hands. This a sign that the Interossei are growing, becoming more powerful, expanding the width of the hand.
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KT 2.4 - Fundamental Guidelines
Good piano technique maximises the use of two sets of muscles.
- The Interossei, to support the weight of the hand, arm or body and to assist when required to the gravity keystroke.
- the Extensors Digitorium, to lift the fingers off the keyboard after they have played each note.
(Extensor Digitorium actions do not stiffen the wrist, as the natural weight of the hand prevents any upwards flexing or instability of the wrist.)
For a good finger technique follow these simple guidelines :
- Keep the hands always over the keyboard (not in front of it) with the thumbs pointing downwards, so that the weight of the hand is supported by the fingers (Interossei).
- Keep the hands balanced on the fingers, with a slight pressure forward toward the piano. (This keeps the finger joints locked in position.)
Never pull the hand backwards, for this either causes the fingers to collapse, or, in an attempt to prevent this, will bring the Flexor Digitorium muscles into action causing stiffening of the wrist.
- Use the knuckle joints for all finger action.
- Use gravity, viz. the natural drop of the finger, hand or arm, as the main source of energy.
It is most useful to have some understanding of the the muscle actions for a good finger technique.
However do not become obsessive about it while practising.
Just follow the simple instructions provided in this Course and things will fall into place naturally.
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© 1999 Michael Furstner (Jazclass)