Posted this on another thread but kinda got lost amongst lots of mouse conversation:


My student has the most bizzare hand shape (particularly when playing arps), thats fairly tricky to describe - but i will give it a bash:

The top of his hand is level with his wrist. He then bends his knuckles down, lifts his finger and the bends his finger tips. He cant seem to raise his knuckles and support himself. In a normal 5 finger shape he doesnt do this.

I've suggested holding tennis balls or stress balls to help but would like some practical suggestion for when he's actually playing the arps

Please don't anyone suggest anything about pretending theres a rodent under his hand

How can i get him to maintain a good hand shape whilst making the arp stretch ?

I can't really picture what you mean but my hands are fairly flat for arpeggios just because of the stretch.

thanks for the reply sbhoa

if you imagine a good 5 finger handshape - with your wrist level and your fingers curled down to the notes. Now, keep your fingers where they are but push your knuckles down. Thats the kind of hand shape he's using that im trying to correct.

Right - I'm working for another teaching dip one day so it wil be good for me to try and solve this one for you.

1) Try not to think of the arpeggio as a 'stretch' which is probably making your pupil try too hard and so making a tight wrist.

2) What is important is the lateral sideways movement of the whole hand. To teach my pupils when to turn I use this analogy for a basic RH white key arpeggio in root position:

Think of your finger 3 as a compass point fixed on a page. Turn/pivot gently sideways with finger 3 held down on a note and imagine the arc that would be drawn by an imaginary pencil attached to the underside of your wrist (there's that pencil again).

3) Practise the arpeggio thinking of the movement toward the finger 3 ready for the pivot, ready for the thumb under without any strain. Always stay on the pads of the finger tips but fingers will need to be extended a little beyond the round hand positon (so not such a good hideaway for a mouse)!

There are lots of exercises for arpeggios in the Tankard technique book for Grades 2 - 8 level to get the swing under or over in arpeggio movement.

Good luck

Got to go and rescue the lunch!

Sounds painful...... mine don't do that!!

[/quote]

Right - I'm working for another teaching dip one day so it wil be good for me to try and solve this one for you.

1) Try not to think of the arpeggio as a 'stretch' which is probably making your pupil try too hard and so making a tight wrist.

2) What is important is the lateral sideways movement of the whole hand. To teach my pupils when to turn I use this analogy for a basic RH white key arpeggio in root position:

Think of your finger 3 as a compass point fixed on a page. Turn/pivot gently sideways with finger 3 held down on a note and imagine the arc that would be drawn by an imaginary pencil attached to the underside of your wrist (there's that pencil again).

3) Practise the arpeggio thinking of the movement toward the finger 3 ready for the pivot, ready for the thumb under without any strain. Always stay on the pads of the finger tips but fingers will need to be extended a little beyond the round hand positon (so not such a good hideaway for a mouse)!

There are lots of exercises for arpeggios in the Tankard technique book for Grades 2 - 8 level to get the swing under or over in arpeggio movement.

Good luck

Got to go and rescue the lunch!
[/quote]


great advice - he has shown tension in his wrist. When i pressed underneath his hand the pressure he was pushing down with was incredible.

I really like the pivot / lateral motion approach and will try it with him this week.

many thanks, and enjoy your lunch

Thanks - hope it works for you

What a splendid, helpful response. I really find it useful how you described this. Many thanks.

Hi oboist,

Thank you very much

Glad you found it helpful. I actually find arpeggios quite tricky as I have a small hand