Posted: Fri May 03, 2019 6:03 am Post subject: Tips for improving dexterity
I have arthritis in the fingers - nothing medically serious or painful but enough that it interferes with playing. Sometimes, a finger doesn't want to lift off a key quick enough making the next note not clear. Not talking about playing Flight of the Bumblebee, just making chromatic transitions in slow to medium ballads. The joints have swollen over the years, first finger is a little crooked and somewhat bent. Aside from playing, any other exercises, etc. that might help? _________________ GaryF
"I'm probably not as good as I used to think that I was"
50 year layoff
Giardenelli 812S (a/k/a Amati ATR-604HS)
CarolBrass CPT-1000 Mini Trumpet
Boy, I can relate to that. Dealing with some of that myself. I've recently started not hooking my pinky onto the pinky ring, and just lightly anchoring my right hand with the right thumb under the leadpipe. Takes some getting used to, but it seems to give my fingers a better ability to move. Good luck.
Joined: 03 Dec 2018 Posts: 371 Location: Port Jackson, NY
Posted: Fri May 03, 2019 7:55 am Post subject:
Maybe you could flatten the hand out and play more between the knuckles like a lot of players do. Arturo seems to get around quite well playing like this!
Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Posts: 2662 Location: sunny Sydney, Australia
Posted: Fri May 03, 2019 11:28 am Post subject:
See your GP!
You can also take some steps to help alleviate your symptoms. I have a few tendons triggering, so stiffness and pain are a daily issue to live with.
Natural anti-inflammatories, such circumin (if you are able to take it) stretching mobility exercise (use it or loose it) will help. Strength exercises can also be useful.
cheers
Andy _________________ so many horns, so few good notes...
I rotate my horn slightly to the right by about 20-25 degrees. This is an easier angle for my right hand. I also work out some passages with my left hand. Somehow this seems to make the same passage easier in the right hand.
Francis Bodet's "Technique des Doigts" is a series of fingering exercises that you do without playing the trumpet. It covers all of the possible valve combinations. It might be useful for you. Here is a link:
I stretch my fingers before, during and after I play. I stretch them back until it begins to hurt a little (it actually feels good) and I stretch them forward until they crack sometimes.
Maybe you could flatten the hand out and play more between the knuckles like a lot of players do. Arturo seems to get around quite well playing like this!
I have moderately short fingers, so that's how I have always played.
Maybe you could flatten the hand out and play more between the knuckles like a lot of players do. Arturo seems to get around quite well playing like this!
I have moderately short fingers, so that's how I have always played.
I use a wax bath when it get really bad. They can be had for about 60-150$ and will really loosen you up if dealing with osteoarthritis.
Hope it helps, you could use a double pan if you could regulate the heat. Any pure paraffin should just peel off cleanly when cool.
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