LESSON 2.
How are the fingers this week? Did they feel effect of starting regular practice? Even if they did, the temporary lameness should be gone by now. And we must continue these same movements another week. Pluck, remember, is that spirit in man which fails to understand despair—which keeps a man up even when he seems to be down. Do not falter. Keep everlastingly at it.
We add, in this lesson, an exercise for the forearm. This is the next territory of importance to be brought under control. You will have no difficulty with this new exercise. The movement is of especial interest to students of the Piano and Organ, though every musician should have the muscles involved under perfect command.
One of the greatest joys in playing is the ability to read at sight, and to play accurately and with feeling.
AUTOMATIC FINGER CONTROL brings this finished ability more quickly than any other means, for it teaches you once and for all how to manage your fingers. The correct action soon becomesautomatic, indeed, and then your full attention can be given to the beautiful hidden meanings of the piece you are playing. That is the highest meaning of technic—to be able to play without any thought of the mechanical “how.”
If you are studying these lessons in conjunction with an instrument, it will be well, for the first few weeks to give more attention to the Finger Control exercises than to practicing on the instrument itself.
In this way, when finally you do begin to play, your advancement will be rapid and satisfactory.
For this week, practice Exercises 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.