 |
: THE POSITION OF THE HANDS |
Required materials :
- A Hurdy-Gurdy
- A sticky label with "UP" written on it
- A sticky label with "DOWN" written on it
- The finger numbering given counts the fingers of the right hand from the thumb (1) to the little finger (5)
THE LEFT HAND - KEYBOARD :
| The edge of the keyboard must be held against the position shown shaded in the diagram opposite.
This allows faster movement up and down the keyboard, crossing of the fingers and everything required for a fast and easy action.
The hand must slide on the keyboard. Also to increase speed take care not to lift the fingers too far when moving from one note to another.
|
 |
RIGHT HAND - THE GRIP :
There are three different schools of thought. One says that the handle should be held with the ends of the fingers. A second says it should be gripped in the fist. The third adopts an intermediate position. We will take the third position.
- Positioning the hands :
- Put the handle in the High position.
- Put together fingers 1, 2 and 3.
- Place them on the top of the handle.
- Bring fingers 4 and 5 up to them from below.
|
 |
- Turning the wheel :
- Place the handle in the high position
- Attach the sticky label on which "DOWN" is written to the upper side of the forearm very close to the hand.
- Attach the sticky label on which you have written "UP" to the lower side of the forearm very close to the hand.
- Place the fingers as indicated above.
- Lower the handle. Fingers 1, 2 and 3 (but especially 1) push the handle downwards. One must be able to see the "DOWN" lable throughout the procedure.
- After a half turn the forearm must pivot ao that the "UP" label can be seen.
- Raise the handle. Fingers 4 and 5 push the handle upwards. You must be able to see "UP" during the whole movement.
- Once the whole turn is complete swivel the arm so that you can once more see "DOWN".
- Notes :
- The position of the hand in relation to the forearm hardly changes.
- If you do this for too long then you may get cramps, aches or blisters.
EXERCISE :
- Repeat this movement taking expecial care over the turning of the forearm. It is essential that you see the "UP" and "DOWN" at the correct times during the turning of the wheel.
So that this exercise is not painful to the ears, do it without having any of the strings in contact with the wheel. The movement has been mastered when it can be completed without looking.
First page of the lessons - 
Top of the page - 
French version