Chopin's left hand |
Stephen Heller (1813-1888), pianist, teacher, composer and student of Carl Czerny |
Edward Dannreuther (1844-1905). |
Liszt's hand |
Everyone at the time seemed inspired for virtuosity by the violin playing of Nicolo Paganini, the ill-fated Robert Schumann among them. Rumors abound even now regarding the attempts he made to
Dactylion, the sort of device Schumann may have used for "strengthening" his fingers, resulting in the end of his piano career. |
So, dear colleagues, we must endeavor to make the best of our genetic predisposition. If you have webbing between your fingers, don't despair. We have other means of achieving flexibility; we use our limbs according to their design and avoid extremes of motion. Besides, with bad genes we have yet another issue to blame on our parents. Take joy in that.