Strange unvoluntarily extension movement

[maczip]

Hi, please need your advice: I recently noticed a strange unvoluntarily extension movement of the tip of the index finger while flexing the middle finger (or flection of other fingers). This does look weird, and hinders from playing fast. I get this extension movments even more in the pinky of the left hand. Any idea what is this about and what can I do.
Thx, and Happy New Year

[faulty_damper]

I don't understand what you mean by involuntary movement of the tip of the index finger.  What is the involuntary movement when you mean extension when you flex the finger?

[maczip]

I mean the tip of the index finger does a more or less extension (=gets straight), while I am hitting the key with the middle finger, which does flexion movement.

[dima_76557]

Hi, please need your advice: I recently noticed a strange unvoluntarily extension movement of the tip of the index finger while flexing the middle finger (or flection of other fingers). This does look weird, and hinders from playing fast. I get this extension movments even more in the pinky of the left hand. Any idea what is this about and what can I do.

Curved Fingers — and Tension?

First, there's a description of why this happens, and later on a remedy (half way on the page). It would be better if:
1) you stopped "hitting" the keys
2) you found yourself someone who could demonstrate what you should do to handle this, because descriptions and instructions on a forum will hardly be of any help.

[maczip]

I know this interesting anatomical description. As a matter of fact, I don´t feel tense, and what the index finger is unvolintarily doing seems what the author suggests as a resolution of tension:

"The solution to this problem is to start with the fingers at least slightly curved and allow them to extend a little as they play. (I prefer the word ‘lengthen’ — borrowed from the Alexander technique — but this word is perhaps less clear form the purely mechanical point of view). It is important that the fingers are not consciously straightened, but rather allowed to unbend, if the appropriate muscles are to be called into play with the least tension." Richard Beauchamp, Head of Keyboard, St Mary’s Music School, Edinburgh.

Maybe nothing is wrong with the movement of my index finger, it only appears a little awkward.

[dima_76557]

I know this interesting anatomical description. As a matter of fact, I don´t feel tense, and what the index finger is unvolintarily doing seems what the author suggests as a resolution of tension:

"The solution to this problem is to start with the fingers at least slightly curved and allow them to extend a little as they play. (I prefer the word ‘lengthen’ — borrowed from the Alexander technique — but this word is perhaps less clear form the purely mechanical point of view). It is important that the fingers are not consciously straightened, but rather allowed to unbend, if the appropriate muscles are to be called into play with the least tension." Richard Beauchamp, Head of Keyboard, St Mary’s Music School, Edinburgh.

Maybe nothing is wrong with the movement of my index finger, it only appears a little awkward.

There is a difference, though:
1) Beauchamp's movement is deliberate and didactical, not a result of natural adaptation, and allows for the highest speeds without tension - maximum finger independence;
2) Beauchamp's movement does not hamper speed, as you indicated yours does in your first post ("hinders from playing fast").

P.S.: This does not mean that I am giving you a definite diagnosis of a problem, because I am simply not qualified to do that.

[maczip]

I understand, thank you!