Sometimes, as we go along in a course of lessons, we are inclined to
lose sight of the original purpose. It often is well to look back and
see what we set out to do, and what we are accomplishing.
In the first place, we started out to develop strength, flexibility,
freedom of movement, independent action, and perfect control of each one
of the fingers. Our purpose in doing these things is to enable one to
save time in learning to play any musical instrument through
specializing on the finger work which constitutes some nine-tenths of
the battle. At the same time, other benefits are expected—greater
self-reliance, greater accuracy in sight reading, and greater ease in
accompanying.
In order to accomplish these ends, we have been freeing the joints from
stiffness and lameness. We have been training the fingers to move more
widely and more freely. And we have been developing the muscles, so that
the fingers have been developed, strengthened, given greater speed and
facility of action, and their endurance increased.
With greater strength, has come greater independence in action. By this
time, you ought to be well started toward perfect control of each of the
fingers.
Since the whole course is based on careful, scientific investigation,
the work has been built up in difficulty as the lessons went on, so that
there has been nothing really hard about them. They are interesting and
progressive. That is as it should be. As the course proceeds, whether
you have new or review work, bear in mind that what is given is exactly
what you need, and what will help you most.
Practice Exercises 17, 18, 20, and 21.