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V.com weekend vote: How strong is your fourth finger (left pinkie)?
Written by The Weekend Vote
Published: February 6, 2015 at 5:08 PM [UTC]

When it comes to our fingers, the pinkie can be a particularly weak link for us violinists. Today we are talking about the left-hand pinkie, our "fourth" finger, which is usually required to stretch at the same time as it is placed firmly on the string. It's usually the shortest finger, and in some people it's quite short!
Fortunately, pinkie strength can be developed. How strong is your pinkie? Please share with us any pinkie-strengthening wisdom or exercises that you have! And by the way, thanks to Buri for this weekend vote suggestion. Please e-mail me if you have other suggestions, I'm always looking for weekend vote ideas!
You might also like:
- Brian Lewis's 'Suzuki Rap' pinkie workout
- Discussion: Pinkie Training
- Finger exercises without using an instrument
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Posted on February 6, 2015 at 6:33 PM
Posted on February 6, 2015 at 6:43 PM
Posted on February 6, 2015 at 9:20 PM
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Posted on February 7, 2015 at 5:46 AM
Posted on February 7, 2015 at 12:23 PM
Posted on February 7, 2015 at 12:48 PM
Posted on February 7, 2015 at 5:15 PM
But, I have trouble with 4th finger vibrato--as in, I generally replace it with another finger if I have to play a long note that needs vibrato. It doesn't feel like that problem is due to weakness as much as to rigidity. I feel like I am pressing down with the 4th finger quite hard in order to play the note confidently and in tune, and it does not then want to relax and wiggle back and forth. It's very tied to the rest of my hand and doesn't work well independently in that range of motion.
Posted on February 7, 2015 at 5:45 PM
I start warm-ups with basic finger gymnastics on each string, E-A-D-G, starting in 3rd position, then going to 1st to open up the hand still more. I give equal time to each finger. Then I do the same in practicing vibrato -- equal time on 1-2-3-4.
Schradieck, Sevcik, Sitt, Dancla -- these are great; but I use them in small doses. The key with these drills isn't quantity but quality and consistency of practice.
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