Supported Joints (1.4)

Cultivate supported (or stabilised) fingers. Supported fingers require the first joint to be stable, not collapsed. You may test this by coming behind the first joint with a finger from the other hand to provide support.

Try the following methods to cultivate better finger stabilisation. As with any activity, exercise in moderation and do not overly stretch or stress any muscle, tendon, or other body part!

• The Pencil Hang: Allow the first joint of a finger to 'hang' on a pencil with your arm heavy, to feel a stretch while the other hand supports the pencil.
• Interlocking Rings: Make rings or "O's" by pressing the pad of each finger, in succession, against the thumb. To heighten the effectiveness, interlock "O's" between the hands, with one hand pulling up while the other pulls down, and vice versa.
• Isometric Exercise: Try the isometric exercise in the video by lining up fingers 2 through 5 in one hand against fingers 5 through 2 in the other. Pull gently while engaging only the first joint near the fingertips (the DIP joints). Reverse the hands' positions and repeat.
• Additional Flexor Exercise: Do gentle squeezes with a soft foam ball or a silicone ball, both with just the first joint and also with the whole palm.
• Flicks: Try the 'flicking' exercises demonstrated in the video to work extensor muscles.

Ultimately, do not overly stress if you find it difficult or impossible to stabilise one or more of your joints. Each person’s anatomy is different, including levels of flexibility and, even, hypermobility. Stabilised joints do tend to facilitate realising our musical intentions and higher levels of piano technique, however, each of us can express ourselves musically and authentically, wherever we are on our pianistic journey!