Can You Strengthen Your Hands With Mechanical Devices?

Hi, and welcome to virtualsheetmusic.com and livingpianos.com. I'm your host Robert Estrin. Today's question is: 'Can you strengthen your hands with mechanical devices?' This is a really good question, and a lot of people want a short-cut to gaining strength. They think maybe there's some contraption that can help. Well, let's kind of break it down for you a little bit. I guess what comes to mind when I hear this question, the first thing I think of is Robert Schumann. And the tragedy that he faced in his life, because indeed he tried to strengthen his fourth finger specifically, which as you know is the least independent finger. And I don't know if he used weights, or pulleys, there's different stories about what that technology was, but he destroyed his hands and was never able to perform again.

And this led to all kinds of emotional problems for him later in life. But that's a whole story for another video that we'll get into. But are there any devices that can work? Well, you know sometimes on vacation I will take one of those spongy balls that you squeeze. Just to keep my hands in shape. So there are things you can use, but you want to use something that provides some resistance, but I would really caution against using anything beyond something where you're using the own strength of your hands. And that's where the real key is. So the best thing of course is to practice your instrument. There's no substitute for doing that for developing strength.

And of course being, using a lot of common sense. Don't just sail into it if you've been away from it on vacation for a couple of weeks. You don't want to sit down and play the hardest music you can play that's virtuosic and all that, and fast. But playing and building up and playing as much as you can will build strength. As far as mechanical devices I would be very cautious. If any of you have any routines that you rely on, any kind of equipment that you find...you know, I've seen those things you squeeze with springs you know, as long as you're not overdoing it, you could perhaps try some of those things.

But the spongy balls I know are a safe bet because they come in different squishiness factors. I'm sure there's a better word for that. But a lot of the physical therapy places utilize these. In fact people who really have like trauma, and are getting over surgeries will sometimes use the squeezy sponge balls in water, in a bath situation. So that everything is relaxed and limber. So that's the important thing, is don't do anything that is taxing, that makes sudden jerky movements. And I would certainly completely avoid anything that is an outward device, weights, and things of that nature.

All right. Well that's the question for today. I hope this helps you. Any of you have insights please post to comments and maybe it will be helpful for all of us to learn more about this subject. Thanks so much for joining me, Robert Estrin here at virtualsheetmusic.com and livingpianos.com.

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