Pinky Rehab: What to do if it's flat! Left hand technique

 Hey ya'll!

So, I'm sure that a lot violinists, in the beginning of their careers, struggle with a flat pinky (if you never did, lucky you).  Guess what.  I was one of them! (very happy that I am in the 'was' category!😊)

I thought that I'd share how I successfully fixed my flat pinky. 

There are 3 things that I'd encourage you to do.

• Do the 60 day pinky rehab from Loralynn Staples (video here) 
• Twinkle exercise
• Shradieck

Loralynn Staples created the stellar online courses of Red Desert Violin for Suzuki Books 1-4.  I've taken course 3 & 4, and my Mom is in course 2.  They are excellent courses!

On her Youtube channel Red Desert Violin she has a video where she teaches the '60 Day Pinky Rehab for Violinists'.  It is excellent and I encourage you to watch it! 

Next, my violin teacher had me do the 'twinkle' exercise.  

Play the Twinkle Twinkle Little Star theme from Suzuki Book 1 like normal, except while you play on the A and E string 'glue' the pinky on the D string 'A' note.  It is surprisingly challenging, and really strengthens the pinky! Keep in mind while you do this exercise that the pinky should be kept curved.  Only practice for a minute or two in the beginning, as it can be fatiguing.

Next, if you are verging on the intermediate level, Shradieck left hand exercises are excellent! 

Play each line at metronome 40, playing two notes per click.  Next, play the line through at four notes per click.  Finally, do eight notes per click.  These are great finger independence + strengthening exercises.  Whenever you play your fourth finger, make sure it's curled.  To help you do this, you can bring the outer edge of the heel of your hand closer to the finger board.  This helps fourth finger drop down straight from above like a piston.  Also, Shradieck can be fatiguing if you do it for more than a couple minutes.  Only practice for 1-2 minutes, never more than 5 minutes.

The Twinkle Exercise and Shradieck fixed my pinky.  However, I encourage you to practice Loralynn's exercises because they're really good!