This is a short lecture- demonstrating the circumstances in which releasing a muscle may demand it to engage with more force. Equally, contracting a muscle may reduce the effort required from it. I know that sounds weird. However the bicep curl makes for a simple practical proof that this is true, which should be relatively easy to understand. The analogy is NOT to suggest the finger should apply remarkable strength at the piano. It just shows very clearly that release of a contraction can increase the demand for a balancing force. This holds true in general, including with the relatively smaller forces during playing. A drooped hand arch can demand unreasonably large forces to maintain, compared to an engaged shape.
Seeing as we perceive engagement differently for the reasons shown, thinking of relaxing might work for some. However, it would be safer to observe whether continuing an action feels like it RELIEVES the overall muscular effort. Or whether it INCREASES the overall sense of muscular effort. That way, we aren't just trying to turn everything off for the sake of it- even if it ends up demanding greater forces.
Also, the near-vertical fingers may seem unsual to some. Watch Cortot, Argerich, Nyiregyhazi, Rubinstein and many others for quite literal application of this. However, the point is not that you must necessarily go all the way! The principle applies on a sliding scale. A severely collapsed hand bridge (as used by Lang Lang when he became injured) means maximum force is required from the muscle, just to maintain balance. However, even getting nearer to a more vertical alignment (while keeping some curve in the joints) will greatly reduce the workload.
Also, I speak about the variation in effort caused by gravity across the range of motion. However, I should have added that muscles also have to generate the largest force when in their most STRETCHED position- when they are only just beginning their range of motion. In fact, I cheated by starting my curl from a right angle. A fully extended elbow position makes it a lot harder. Muscles don't have to produce anywhere near as much force when they continue the range into their most shortened position. At the piano, the extensors are the most easily overworked muscles (as stabilisers of the hand). With a collapsed hand bridge, these have to engage while severely stretched and thus disadvantaged. Taller fingers (with a raised hand bridge) see the extensors engaging while more contracted and advantaged.
See Dr Mike Israetel on KZitem for more about the mechanics of force production, over a range of motion. The difference in effort at the stretched position is so big that, in weight training, most muscle growth is stimulated by the high effort START of the contraction. It's not the end of the muscle contraction where the hard work is done! The latter part of the contraction is the EASY part to sustain, not something to flee from in fear!
If you don't want to work hard at the piano, you need to avoid releasing into the severely collapsed position- in which muscles have generate maximum force to merely stay balanced.
Негізгі бет Музыка Relaxation at the piano causes tension, whereas muscle contraction relieves effort?
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