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Jackson's Gymnastics for the Fingers and Wrist / being a system of gymnastics, based on anatomical principles, for developing and strengthening the muscles of the hand for musical, mechanical and medical purposes: with thirty-seven diagrams cover

Jackson's Gymnastics for the Fingers and Wrist / being a system of gymnastics, based on anatomical principles, for developing and strengthening the muscles of the hand for musical, mechanical and medical purposes: with thirty-seven diagrams

Chapter 15: CHAPTER VII. MUSIC IS THE ART WHICH MAKES THE HIGHEST DEMANDS ON THE MUSCLES OF THE FINGERS. MOVING THE FINGERS UP AND DOWN INSUFFICIENT.
By Edwin Ward Jackson
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About This Book

The author sets out a system of exercises grounded in anatomy and physiology to develop and strengthen the muscles, ligaments, and joints of the fingers, hand, and wrist. After describing experimental origins and critiques of standard instrumental training, the work presents practical routines, explanatory diagrams, and apparatus recommendations for musicians, artisans, and those with hand ailments. It explains principles, methods of instruction, and staged exercises for free movement and use of portable and fixed implements, and outlines therapeutic applications such as treatment for rheumatism and contortions, concluding with guidance on instruction, testing, and adoption of these techniques in gymnastic and medical practice.

CHAPTER VII.
MUSIC IS THE ART WHICH MAKES THE HIGHEST DEMANDS ON THE MUSCLES OF THE FINGERS. MOVING THE FINGERS UP AND DOWN INSUFFICIENT.

These exercises for persons engaged in musical pursuits can, least of all, be dispensed with, because music is the art which makes the highest demands on the muscles of the fingers and wrists.

Eminent physiologists say, “Gymnastic exercises for the fingers and joints ought to have been commenced 150 years ago; they form the real foundation of practical art.”

It is, indeed, incredible that so great an art as piano and violin playing should have arrived at so high a stage of perfection without a previous training of the muscles. As a matter of course, this is only to be ascribed to the unremitting exertions and the indefatigable zeal of the teachers, and to the unwearying industry of the pupils. And how much easier might this have been attained!

The muscles, ligaments, and tendons consist of soft elastic matter, and, as has been stated, run partly longitudinally, partly transversely. This is a point to be borne in mind. It is, therefore, one-sided and erroneous to believe that the best means of strengthening the muscles consists in simply raising and dropping the fingers. All one-sided practice is hurtful; and an exercise of the fingers limited to an upward and downward movement, occasions much severe work. If, on the other hand, the muscles be moved according to physiological principles, in all directions, both laterally and up and down, and trained gymnastically, they will become within a very short time strong and flexible.