When is the right time to add fourth finger exercises to play your fiddle? Once you are able to place your first three fingers on a fingerboard and can play the notes, you can start working on the fourth. This finger should be strengthened as soon as possible. Even if you have been playing for a while, it doesn’t hurt if you do some pinky exercises every once in awhile, especially if this finger is still a problem. These exercises can be done at any time.
Here are five of my favorite fourth finger exercises that will help strengthen your pinky and improve left-hand function. Be careful not to strain your fingers or overexert yourselves with any of these exercises. Take breaks, don’t tolerate pain, and try not to spend too much time on these things in one sitting. Check the site to exclusive selection of fiddle for sale
Exercise 1: Visualize your strength
The first exercise does not require you to use your pinky. Instead, close your eyes. Visualize your pinky doing the things you want. Imagine a strong, arching shape with your pinky landing on its tip. Perhaps you have convinced yourself that your pinky was weak or incompetent by simply telling yourself so. You can make your pinky strong and capable by imagining it as such.
Exercise #2 – Base knuckle Hammers
You should lift your fingers and place them on the strings with your base knuckle, which is the knuckle closest your palm. This saves energy and allows you to play more comfortably. You can practice lifting your pinky with your base knuckle by setting up your left hand frame and placing your pinky on A string. Next, use your base knuckle and lift the finger from the string. Keep it close. Then, bring the finger back up using your base knuckle. You should not rely on any other joints to move your finger.
Exercise #3: Practice archery
You need strength to keep your arch in place when you place your fourth fingers on the string. You can practice keeping the arch in your finger by repeating the exercise. Watch the arch of your finger as you pop your fourth finger on and off its string. To bring the arch back, gently bend your left pinky’s middle finger with your right hand. Be mindful of the arch every time you place your finger. It will become easier the more you practice it.
Exercise #4 – Half scales
This exercise can be done once your pinky is straightened so that it touches the tip of your finger when you are not bowing. Walk up a half-scale (A B C# E) while pretending you are a string. To play the note, your fourth finger can be used when you reach E. You can pause your finger and adjust it so that it is on the tip of your arched finger. Walk back up to A in the same manner you came up. These half-scales can be looped to improve agility and fourth finger strength. These can be used on any string after you are confident with the A string.
Exercise #5 – Fourth finger and drone
This is the final exercise. Use the half-scales from Exercise #4. Play the note you reach on the scale with the highest string. For example, your 4 on A and the open E next to it. This exercise has two purposes. It allows you to test your intonation and it also gives you an opportunity to practice the fourth-finger/open string combination so common in fiddling.
These exercises should help you build confidence and strength in the fourth finger. You’ll be amazed at how eager your fourth finger is to be a part of your team if you practice them slowly.