The only long-distance aspect of this I could address would be to ask
you is whether or not you are pro-actively tensing the extensor muscles
in the back of your left forearm in an unnecessary effort to get fingers
off the string as fast as possible, in order to move around the
fingerboard in a hurry. Could be psychological in origin;
performance/practice perfectionist anxiety. Back of the forearm- (BOTH
arms, by the way) must be as relaxed as possible. And learn to use slow-
even slithery- movements; especially warming up or learning new music.
But ultimately; diagnosing & treating this situation properly means
face-to-face, hands on work with a good teacher. Not over email.
Dan
On 10/17/2013 5:38 AM, Herbert Ward wrote:
The little finger of my left hand (aka L4) exhibits
a variety of superfluous maneuvers when the other three
fingers move. Jerking, sudden tension, extension,
flexing, etc. Sometimes the motions are in the same
direction as the other fingers, and sometimes in
the opposite direction.
The other fingers do this too, but L4 is especially
prolific.
I wonder whether physiology might shed light on the
origin of this.
Are the motions neurological in origin? For example, are
there shared nerves or ganglions between L4 and
the other three fingers?
Are they mechanical in origin? Are L4's unnecessary
motions due to stress from sharing tendons and/or
muscles with the other three fingers?
Are they psychological in origin? Perhaps a jerky L4
is body language for "I'm confused and I feel insecure."?
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