AUTOMATIC FINGER CONTROL

U.S. SCHOOL OF MUSIC

There are fifty-nine muscles in each arm, including the hand, which the Musician is called upon to use in his playing. If each of these are trained to the proper degree, the heaviest part of the task is accomplished, for not only does the control thus derived perfect technic and touch, it also helps to overcome nervousness, develops a velvety touch, becomes an invaluable aid to sight reading, and assists the student in gaining the power to accompany sympathetically and accurately at sight. It is not necessary to exercise each of these muscles separately. By careful study, the method of AUTOMATIC FINGER CONTROL has been reduced to twenty-four weeks' work. The exercises should be practiced the required number of times twice daily, preferably upon arising in the morning, and again in the evening. Each movement must be brisk, and as complete a contraction of the muscles involved as possible. Perform the work with one hand at a time rather than trying to use both hands at once. Close mental attention to the movement involved will increase the benefits derived, especially in the case of those exercises which require that you set one muscle working in opposition to another. Do not, in your enthusiasm, practice these exercises more than directed, nor should you do them just before your work at the instrument. This Course comprises 31 exercises. As you will see from the lessons, it is not enough that each exercise be practiced a single week. Sometimes you will be required to work on a single exercise for two weeks in succession and from time to time the exercises will be reviewed. The 31 exercises have been collected and placed in numerical order at the back of the manuscript. The lessons are found in order at the front. At the bottom of each lesson page the exercises for the week are delegated. After you have studied your lesson sheet, turn to the exercises required, for the week's work, study them carefully and practice faithfully. Do not, under any circumstance, run ahead of your course. To get quick results, you must practice the exercises in the order given, devoting at least a week's time to each lesson. If you are just starting to learn your instrument, complete the first two lessons in AUTOMATIC FINGER CONTROL before you take up the practice on the instrument. Then take up the first instrumental lesson and do it in conjunction with Lesson Three of AUTOMATIC FINGER CONTROL. Always bear in mind that the main idea of this course is not the strength of the fingers, nor even their suppleness. The main idea is coordination between brain and muscle, training the muscles so as to overcome the tendency of the fingers to move more slowly than the mind. Therefore, give your entire thought and undivided attention to what you are doing as you practice the daily exercises. If you will do this, your progress will be rapid and sure

Table of contents

• INTRODUCTION
• LESSON 1
• LESSON 2
• LESSON 3
• LESSON 4
• LESSON 5
• LESSON 6
• LESSON 7
• LESSON 8
• LESSON 9
• LESSON 10
• LESSON 11
• LESSON 12
• LESSON 13
• LESSON 14
• LESSON 15
• LESSON 16
• LESSON 17
• LESSON 18
• LESSON 19
• LESSON 20
• LESSON 21
• LESSON 22
• LESSON 23
• LESSON 24
• EXERCISE 1
• EXERCISE 2
• EXERCISE 3
• EXERCISE 4
• EXERCISE 5
• EXERCISE 6
• EXERCISE 7
• EXERCISE 8
• EXERCISE 9
• EXERCISE 10
• EXERCISE 11
• EXERCISE 12
• EXERCISE 13
• EXERCISE 14
• EXERCISE 15
• EXERCISE 16
• EXERCISE 17
• EXERCISE 18
• EXERCISE 19
• EXERCISE 20
• EXERCISE 21
• EXERCISE 22
• EXERCISE 23
• EXERCISE 24
• EXERCISE 25
• EXERCISE 26
• EXERCISE 27
• EXERCISE 28
• EXERCISE 29
• EXERCISE 30
• EXERCISE 31