ON STRINGED INSTRUMENTS IN PARTICULAR. THE WRIST OF THE RIGHT HAND.
The following mechanical gymnastic exercises refer to the _wrist of
the right hand_, and are intended for players on stringed instruments.
Their chief purpose is to render the wrist of the right hand and the
forearm strong and flexible. This all students find very difficult; it
will soon be evident for what reason.
It is a fact acknowledged by the most celebrated musicians, that the
principal bowing difficulties in playing the violin arise from the
wrist. This is chiefly owing to the circumstance that, in playing the
violin, the movement _sideways_ of the wrist is a peculiar one, being,
in fact, totally different from any other movements taking place in
the ordinary occupations of life. If, therefore, it be desired to
diminish the painful work, as customary at present, it is indispensable
to _prepare_ the wrist and arm by exercises like those we are about to
describe.
Take three times daily, and particularly early in the morning, a
stick or cane exceeding the length of a violin bow by 8-10 inches,
holding it in your right hand the same as a bow; lay it on the left
hand,—which is to be raised to the same height as if playing the violin
or violoncello,—and move it _vigorously_ up and down as follows:
1. The entire length, 30 times;
2. The middle length; with the forearm and wrist only, without moving
the upper arm, 30-40 times;
3. At the _nutt_; with the wrist alone,—and especially up-stroke,—with
energy; without in the least moving the arm, 30-40 times;
4. At the extreme _head_-end; with the wrist alone, and with pressure;
without in the least moving the arm, 30-40 times.
Move the cane alternately up and down, pressing it with the thumb
and forefinger, and look at the direction of the wrist and the stick
or cane. With this gymnastic cane you may exercise gymnastically,
at pleasure, up and down strokes, triplets, and all sorts of
bow-movements. The effect you will find surprising.
These exercises are particularly useful for the student. As a matter of
course, they can also be _partially_ made with the bow, but _not with
the same effect_.