LESSON 4.
Are you in tune?
The finest Stradivarius is only a sounding board and four strings—unless it is in tune. And then, it becomes a messenger of the soul, indeed.
So is it with each one of us. If we are in tune with the Infinite, the sky is blue vaulted above us; the birds cleave the sky with sweetest of music; there’s a song in the heart, and a smile on the lips.
How can we hope to interpret the secrets of the Master-workers in Music unless we ourselves are in tune? Take stock of yourself each day and see if you are reallyliving.
The new exercise this week is for strengthening the fingers as well as for limbering up stiff joints. Around each of the finger joints, there are transverse ligaments—bands of muscle which hold the lengthwise finger muscles in place and bind them to the bones.
Unless one is using his fingers in a special and unordinary way, these ligaments become stiff and inflexible, so that the movement of the fingers is greatly hindered.
It is absolutely essential that these muscles should be limbered up and kept soft and pliable if you are to get any satisfactory movement of the fingers at your instrument.
Do not overlook any of these exercises, new or old. Each is designed to accomplish a certain definite object. Each must be practiced a certain, definite number of times to get the best results.
This week, do Exercises 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.