My Fingers Are Klonkers!

[go12_3]

I think I made up a new word....klonker....which is a word that defines my practicing this morning.  Oh my!  I was running through some Hanon for 10 minutes to warm up, and my fingers just
would not go, instead they klonked, just wouldn't cooperate at all.     My fingers  tripped  over each other, or a couple of fingers klonked, won't *move* like I want them to.  Gosh!  I mean, I go over the Hanon many, many times with perfect finger precision and  speed, and to my dismay, klonk!  My mind went klonk!  Klonk!  Klonk!  Klonk!  Is this day going to be a day of frustrations??
I certainly hope not, because I still have some more pieces to practice on.......wooo hooo!   

Best wishes,

go12_3

[giannalinda]

wow this is the best post ever in the forum....Keep up the good work go...
Always, Abbey (aka the one everybody hates)

[Bob]

If you've pushing things, not used your fingers, or used your hands and fingers (pushing them) doing other things, then when you come back to the piano, things would be different.  That's happened to me many times.  I think it's just part of how things are, regardless of what level you're at.  If you have pushed thing, it's not necessarily bad because good results are on the way -- The hands are just recovering. 

[go12_3]

If you've pushing things, not used your fingers, or used your hands and fingers (pushing them) doing other things, then when you come back to the piano, things would be different.  That's happened to me many times.  I think it's just part of how things are, regardless of what level you're at.  If you have pushed thing, it's not necessarily bad because good results are on the way -- The hands are just recovering. 

Bob, it is my mind that is pushing...*other* things in my life and that affects my fingers from going.   And I know another moment will be better, because I don't give up on practicing. 

[jgallag]

While we all get distracted during Hanon, I would still ask: where is the power in your fingers coming from? If you play from the knuckle that joins the finger to the hand, you should find much more freedom in movement and speed. This still means that the fingers are curved (though perhaps less so, especially on black keys) and that the knuckles don't invert, but a focus on the fingertips can result in tension in the finger, slowing you down and screwing you up. Also make sure to play with the tip of the thumb and not the side. Don't stretch to reach any notes. Fingers only move up and down. The wrist and arm put the fingers in the proper location. Also note that this source of "power" is for fingerwork. Power can come from the wrists, the arms, even the torso too, but I think fingerpower is most appropriate for Hanon.

Oh, another thing on one of your other posts. It's nice for you to practice Hanon and Czerny, but make sure you are doing your scales. They are more important than these contrived exercises.

[go12_3]

jgallag:
There are times that stress, tiredness,feeling overwhelmed and make the fingers not do that *fingerpower* as you indicated in your post.  I do know what my fingers feel as I strike each key.  I am aware of the knuckles and etc.  And I am aware of the tension in which can hinder my fingers to slow down.  I don't even use my wrists(and they must be relaxed and supple), arms nor torso in order to play piano.  The scales I get from playing many sonatinas.  My practice time is limited because I have the violin to practice on.  My energy level right now is on a low mode due to stress at the moment.  So it's great that I can practice all the pieces on my list  and some will be missed; I may only focus on a few passages, but progress is coming along.  I have played piano since I was a little girl, and love it to this day.  I appreciate your input in your posts though.

best wishes,

go12_3

[thalbergmad]

jgallag:
There are times that stress, tiredness,feeling overwhelmed and make the fingers not do that *fingerpower* as you indicated in your post. 

Practise earlier in the day then.

You ladies tend to wear your hands out during the day doing washing, ironing and other menial tasks.

Thal

[go12_3]

Practise earlier in the day then.

You ladies tend to wear your hands out during the day doing washing, ironing and other menial tasks.

Thal

By the way, Thal,  I do not iron, and the laundry is done in a washing machine and *menial tasks* are necessary in order to survive (you know preparing foods), and I don't cook that much anyhow, plus the fact, I do practice throughout the day in 15 minute segments, plus a violin I to practice on. I don't think my hands do get worn out afterall.      Piano playing is all in the mind, and who is going to play perfectly each day anyhow....do you?

best wishes,

go12_3

[cloches_de_geneve]

I think it's just part of how things are, regardless of what level you're at.  If you have pushed thing, it's not necessarily bad because good results are on the way -- The hands are just recovering. 

That's a good point. When I do technical exercises things get worse temporarily. For example, my 4th finger becomes "lazier". But that's like weight lifting. After the session your muscles are exhausted and you can't do much. This may last a few days. But over time, you'll notice that things do improve.