Finger Tapping

Can someone explain more about finger tapping? When should I do it? How long? How can I tell if it's actually acomplishing something?

Can someone explain more about finger tapping? When should I do it? How long? How can I tell if it's actually acomplishing something? I did this a few times... by following written descriptions, especially from Peter Feuchtwangers Exercises book... it is in Alan Frasers book too I think, can't really remember where I found the first description of it. The benefit in my opinion is the increase of awareness of the keys rebound... lifting the finger passively. It takes an openminded and calm attitude. I think there are rumours about people using this like "programming" a piece.. i.e. more for learning/remembering the notes. To this end, I have great doubts. In any case, I think it is physically impossible to fingertap let's say Stravinsky's Petrouchka ! If Glenn Gould really fingetapped the Goldbergs, it's because it's Bach.. and not Liszt.

As I say in my book, fingertapping gives the finger the unusual experience of being locomoted into the key without activating any of the muscles normally used. Thus they receive a passive experience of the movement, lacking all the efforts normally associated with it. This opens the way to a new sensory experience of the movement, which in turn educates the neuromotor system as to how it might best organize the muscles of the finger to do the movement on its own. Fingertapping should be done in as wide a variety of ways possible, thus enriching your neuromotor-sensory experience for maximum "reprogramming" possibilities. It makes you more aware of your bones, which makes your brain better able to control them. More on this in my upcoming book, . AFF

Do you suggest that we tap at different locations on the finger?

Hmm, I never thought about it, but it's a good idea! Start as close to the tip as you can, and then explore tapping various points on the distal phalange. When you get to the distal-medial joint, watch that you don't tap so hard that you collapse the joint completely - but it's bound to sink somewhat. Play around with it, try to feel the change in sensation for each variation... How does further up your finger affect the way it feels in playing afterwards? AFF

Could you explain other ways of tapping? pp16

I am sorry, this is probably a serious question but I really don't know how to answer it! Just try different ways! Explore! It's a completely unexplored field, you have to figure it out for yourself! Good luck and enjoy! AFF