You must take particular care with the wrist exercises in this week’s
lesson. Study the cuts until you are thoroughly acquainted with what is
required, and then put considerable “steam” behind the movements.
The exercise for both hands together will call into play certain of the
finger muscles and strengthen them to the necessary degree for playing.
They will also help to free the transverse ligaments and thus relieve
the fingers of stiffness.
In this exercise, as in every other, a feeling of fatigue or pain
denotes a weak condition of the muscles. It means proceed with caution.
It does NOT mean to drop the exercise. If the fingers get tired during
the first few days of a new exercise, you may use less muscular
resistance for a while, and in extreme cases, you may be excused from
going through the movements the full number of times.
But always remember, too, that tired muscles are a promise of
exceptional reward. If your need is great—if the muscles are
particularly weak to start with—the benefits you derive from the proper
strengthening and control of them will be positively amazing.
Elbert Hubbard said “Responsibilities gravitate to the person who can
shoulder them; power flows to the man who knows how.”
Conditions are unusually good for the rapid advancement of the man who
has the will to conquer—and knowledge of the weapon in his hands. YOU
have both, so I am expecting big things of you. You would not disappoint
me, would you?
This week’s work is Exercises 9, 11, 13, and 14.