How to strengthen the ring finger on my weak hand?

[Bob]

Specifically, how to get it to raise up more?  It doesn't seem to raise up much compared to the other fingers.

I know about Schumann.  I'm just looking for ideas.

[ted]

I think that is quite normal, Bob. I wouldn't try to force fourth fingers to do things they cannot do. They are only at a disadvantage when their neighbours are completely restricted, which doesn't happen very frequently. I sometimes find my fourth fingers (opportunity for a tongue-twister here somewhere) possess superior agility to my fifth fingers in certain situations.

Why is one hand weak ? That would seem to be more directly correctable by diligent work than fourth finger movement.  

[keyboardclass]

This Brahms is excellent:
 

[pianisten1989]

Everyone's 4th finger is ***'d up... And everyone can't lift it, by itself. I use the rest of my hand to lift the 4th - 3+4, 5+4, 3+4+5...

[gyzzzmo]

you dont have to 'raise' any finger much anyway. Raise elbows or wrists abit is good, if you have to hit between the black keys. But for the rest you pretty much only have to put them down
The ring finger's most important problem is that it is not really functional in daily activities, wich is why you have to train becoming more concious of that finger, and have to get more stamina with it. That you can train with etudes that are focussed on that finger.

[Bob]

My left hand just feels a little more 'retarded' than usual.  I'm noticing it more.

[perfect_pitch]

Chopins Etude Op 10, No 2...

Word the 3rd, 4th & 5th fingers like you wouldn't believe