| Author |
Subject |
celloadgc
Registered User
(1/25/01 9:20:47 pm)
Reply |
Cossman
Torture Exercises
This is the first time I have posted
on this board! I'm a student at Valparaiso University in Indiana.
Today at my lesson I had the pleasure, or should I say the pain of
starting Cossman's exercises for finger strength and agility. Have
any of you had to try them yet? My teacher gave them to me with the
rule that they would help get my fingers in shape, as long as I
don't hurt myself with them. Sounds like a good plan to me!  Does
anyone have any tips on these? Or any horror stories about them?
Just curious.
Andy
|
42
Registered User
(1/26/01 9:58:49 am)
Reply |
;-)
Andy,
They really aren't so
bad..... just remember to take it easy at first just like you would
with the Starker exercises. I think the Cossman helped me out quite
a bit. Have fun.
--Mike
|
Christopher
Chan
Registered
User
(1/27/01 11:35:39 pm)
Reply
 |
Re:
Cossman Torture Exercises
Cossman excercises are awesome. My
teacher started me off pretty early on Cossman. It's been part of my
daily routine eversince i was introduced to them.
First of
all you never want to play with pain, just ask Mr. Sazer. The trick
is that you must be completely relaxed when you play and your
fingers should not be flapping up and down really high. You want
your fingers to barely lift off the fingerboard, you want them to
flutter. Speed and agility comes easily when you have mastered this.
Remember to periodically check your intonation as well, you never
want to be playing "just notes".
Hope this helps.
|
Cellochick
Registered
User
(1/28/01 12:47:41 am)
Reply |
They
won't bite...hard
Seriously, I love these! They appeal
to the logical, methodical scientific part of my brain (which I have
otherwise learned to shut off). They just...make sense, I guess. I'm
one of those sick people who actually ENJOY exercises and etudes,
etc. Don't hit me!
|
Corrina
Connor
Moderator
(2/3/01 2:33:29 am)
Reply |
The
'flutter'
But don't your fingers still have to
land with some force, while remaining relaxed? Otherwise no strength
is achieved.
I started doing them very very slowly, playing
every note with focus on the left fingers and intonation. According
to my teacher flutter is the wrong word. The analogy which we worked
out was as if the distance from string to fingerboard was full of
quite solid jelly(!) and one had to touch the 'bottom of the bowl',
which required weight and an audible 'plop'.
Of course,
using force won't work either. I found in the beginning it was
worthwhile to 'bounce' my fingers a tiny bit harder to learn the
sensation.
My main tip would be to make sure that you hear
your finger hitting the fingerboard.
|
Victor
Sazer
Registered
User
(2/3/01 5:35:42 pm)
Reply |
Cossman
Torture Exercises???
In my experience, I have found the
Cossman studies helpful for some students, dangerous for some and a
complete waste of time for others. Whenever I have suggested them,
the first thing I do is cross out the word strength. If they help
purity of intonation, agility, etc. it is fine but working for
finger strength is an illusion.
There are no muscles in our
fingers. If you observe your forearm when you move your fingers, you
can see the movement of the muscles that move your fingers.
Trying to strengthen your fingers tends be counterproductive
by creating excess tension. There is no need to bang your fingers on
the fingerboard. A lighter touch can increase your facility and
reduce unnecessary tension. It is best to never use more force than
the minimum needed to accomplish a task.
You can get amazing
results by playing on the side of the string with the string not
touching the fingerboard at all. To do this, place your finger on
the wood of the fingerboard on the low side of the string. Resting
the end of your finger on the wood provides a pivot point for your
vibrato.
It is dangerous to take the Cossman studies too
literally. It is best to use them judiciously, in small doses,
varying the rhythms and avoiding over doing it. The worst thing you
can ever do is have a ‘no pain no gain” attitude.
|
Laura
Wichers
Moderator
(2/3/01 10:03:08 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Cossman Torture Exercises???
"There are no muscles in our
fingers. If you observe your forearm when you move your fingers, you
can see the movement of the muscles that move your fingers. Trying
to strengthen your fingers tends be counterproductive by creating
excess tension."
Good idea to keep in mind, all. It's also
been my experience that the best, easiest, and healthiest way to
strengthen the muscles that control your fingers is plain, simple
PRACTICE. Even just tapping patterns on a countertop will
help.
A practice rule to always have in mind: If something
hurts, STOP. Re-evaluate your practice technique and find a way to
accomplish your performance goal that doesn't cause any
pain.
Laura
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