Pinky, pad or exercise?

[malcolmbebb]

I've recently got a DG anglo and I'm learning one particular tune which requires CEA in turn on the G row (a Morris tune, Young Collins). All are pull.

 

I use my pinky for the E and find that when I press the C then E when pulling, my middle finger involuntarily lifts up. When I go to play the A, the middle finger doesn't respond enough to press the key.

 

Sounds daft but it's bl@@dy annoying.

 

Adjusting the strap doesn't help - if I loosen it the angle of my hand gets worse, and if I tighten it (having relatively short fingers) I can't get to the keys anyway.

 

If I put a 6mm or so pad under the heel of the hand, it brings the fingers down enough to make an improvement, and I'm considering making something up with leather or neoprene (strictly for concertina use, for those wondering).

 

Anyway - am I doing something wrong with my hand position. Are there some finger exercises?

 

Any suggestions please?

[JimLucas]

I've recently got a DG anglo and I'm learning one particular tune which requires CEA in turn on the G row (a Morris tune, Young Collins). All are pull.

In case anyone is wondering, that C-E-A on the G/D is equivalent (in fingering) to F-A-D on the C row (right hand) of a C/G.

 

I use my pinky for the E and find that when I press the C then E when pulling, my middle finger involuntarily lifts up. When I go to play the A, the middle finger doesn't respond enough to press the key.

I can't be sure without seeing it, but it sounds to me as if you're rotating your hand to press your little finger onto the E, rather than independently lowering and raisng the finger itself. If that's the case, then the problem is likely more with your little finger than your middle one, or perhaps a difficulty in moving the ring and little fingers independently.

 

If I put a 6mm or so pad under the heel of the hand, it brings the fingers down enough to make an improvement, and I'm considering making something up with leather or neoprene (strictly for concertina use, for those wondering).

I'm wondering just how you're "gripping" the concertina. In particular, what are you doing with your thumb(s)?

 

...I'm considering making something up with leather or neoprene (strictly for concertina use, for those wondering).

I wasn't.

 

Any suggestions please?

I have a few suggestions for exercises. I think they can also be used for diagnosis, since if you find them difficult, the type of difficulty can indicate what you need to work on.

• Press the A button with your middle finger and while holding it down, try to press the C and E buttons, both independently and together.
  
• Similarly, press the F#/G button with your index finger and while holding it down, try to press the A, C and E buttons with their fingers, independently, in pairs, and together.
  
• Also try holding the ring-finger button depressed while pressing and raising the middle and little fingers on their buttons.

Which of these manipulations give you the most difficulty, and in what direction is the stress when they do?

[Alan Day]

Jim always gives good advice and all I can do is add to it.

I do a lot of finger exercises with both hands (without the concertina). With the wrist down and fingers raised I practice pushing down each finger in turn from the little finger to the thumb and build up speed it is possible to push each finger down in turn including the thumb in about a second. When you go from little finger to thumb then go back the other way,(thumb to little finger).

Then practice each finger in turn in combinations, for example little finger with ring finger, or little finger with middle finger. Some of these exercises are painful, but stick with it.

These exercises can be done of course at any time and certainly when you are stuck in a traffic jam.

Al

[Rod]

Jim always gives good advice and all I can do is add to it.

I do a lot of finger exercises with both hands (without the concertina). With the wrist down and fingers raised I practice pushing down each finger in turn from the little finger to the thumb and build up speed it is possible to push each finger down in turn including the thumb in about a second. When you go from little finger to thumb then go back the other way,(thumb to little finger).

Then practice each finger in turn in combinations, for example little finger with ring finger, or little finger with middle finger. Some of these exercises are painful, but stick with it.

These exercises can be done of course at any time and certainly when you are stuck in a traffic jam.

Al

 

Thought for the day ! On an Anglo always have an attempt to repeat the melody line an octave higher than its comfort zone. Not always wholly successful but spendid exercise for the weaker fingers of the right hand and for the instrument itself. Similar principle in reverse might be applied to the left hand ?

[malcolmbebb]

Thanks for the replies. I probably won't have time until after the weekend to have a proper read and play, just mentioning so it's clear I'm not ignoring the feedback.

 

On this particular tune I can get around it by playing across the rows quite easily, but that's not the point!

 

I have been trying to move fingers in different combinations, and some seeming simple things are working out quite hard and surprisingly tiring.