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I'm new here and would like to say hi to you guys!
I've posted this same question on another forum but I didn't get much response from there, so I'm trying my luck here.
I've had this problem with my pinky on the left hand that it collapses (more precisely, the 2nd joint from the tip of the pinky) whenever it strikes a key. My other fingers are fine in that they can remain strong and yet supple. As a result, my pinky (on the left hand only; not sure why...) always either produces a harsh sound or one that's very thin.
Does anyone know of any techniques out there that would target this problem more effectively?

LOl... the most funny thread title since Mach3...

Use your ear. It's the best solution i guess... And compare the touch of all your fingers to notice what makes certain fingers "better" than others. maybe you need to use more "mass" of that finger like not use only the tip. OR maybe you need to loose it or make some "finger-abs"

use a splint for your finger...lol

JCYL,

Welcome to the forum.
It's hard to tell what exactly is happening without seeing you play.

Some suggestions:

If you are having this problem with your left hand, observe what your right hand is doing correctly, and try to emulate that.
Make sure you are using your palm and the natural arc of your hand to support that 5th finger. Don't play a note with that finger unless the weight of your arm is behind that note.
Try more rotation towards that finger - ie, thumb as the axis rotating towards the 5th finger.

In other words, experiment, and try different things.

Certain of my fingers do that on rare occasions, but the force required to do it is much greater than that normally needed to strike a note, so I am seldom bothered about it. A few tries seem to tell me it's impossible for it to happen with either a very curved or very straight finger. Also, if the striking speed and movement of the finger is great, then the pressure leading to this collapse is not necessary.

I haven't really noticed if these collapses occur while I am playing; if they do it obviously doesn't spoil the sound or else I would have picked it up. But I am unorthodox to start with so I would sooner a more qualified person here help you.

Phlebas's trick of symmetry is always worth a try.

Do this excercise:
1) Put your left hand, palm down, with stretched fingers ABOVE (without touching) five continuos white keys on the keyboard.
2) Stop applying strenght on your stretched fingers so they curl down. Keep your wrist and the palm of your hand aligned and in a horizontal position.
3) Now depress the keys (it doesn't matter which they are as long as they are continuos white keys) individually with the next finger sequence: 1, 2, 4, 5, 4, 5, 4, 2 and start again with finger 1. You have to repeat this several times, like a loop, in a fluid manner using the same time value for each note, its tone and strenght with all fingers. You have to increase speed as you progress. Also, play with different "volume" levels. After you are done with this, use chords instead of continuos keys. When you can handle this, keep your finger 1 depressed as you play the sequence.
This is also helpful for the right hand.
You can also do trills with fingers 4 and 5, but it gets tiresome quickly.

I'm working on strengthening the pinky of the left hand also, and I keep finding that the outer muscle of my hand (attached to the pinky. one of the muscular parts of the palm) keeps getting very tense and tired. any suggestions for avoiding or just more of what has already been said? good suggestions btw. I'll have to try them

I have this exact same problem with my right pinky, if I understand you correctly. The second joint straightens.

I don't think it's a case of weakness. I think it's a physical thing that can't be changed. For me it does become a bit fatigued and uncomfortable while playing certain pieces.

Something I try to do is try to play with the pinky flat whenever possible. This stops it from getting tired so easily.

Viagra.

use the grip master!

Nah, don't waste your time with grips or similar devices, Rach.
They don't exercise the finger muscles that are used in piano playing.

Why don't you ask Schumann.
I hear his device worked wonders.

Wood.

I have this too, on both my pinkys - it doesnt really affect my playing. As long as its not bending your finger inwards, you're ok.

I recently bought a copy of Hanon's 'The Virtuoso Pianist'. I find it pretty good, and it concentrates on strengthening the 4th and 5th fingers of each hand.
I usually start my practice sessions with a few excercises from here.
Anyone else got 'TVP'? What did you think of it?

JC,

Yesterday in my practice, I was playing 4-note chords of E+, and I noticed the same problem that you have. My LH's pinky is not as supported as the RH's. I tried to immitate my RH's pinky, but it didn't work unless it was one note at a time, meaning: when I play only one note with my pinky, I can make it curved not collapsed, with much intention not to overtense.

I experimented by changing my fingering from 5421 in root, to 5321. The pinky seemed more supported when I played it with the 3rd (5-3) rather than the 4th (5-4). I speculate that it's not only a problem with the pinky itself. Maybe it's the whole arm's orientation. Maybe even with the torso. Maybe I'm leaning more to the left side, and therefore, not supporting my arm structure on that side.

I will ask my teacher, because I do wonder what I do differently in the RH, that makes the pinky supported whether I play it with the 4th or 3rd fingers.

Sorry I don't have a solution, but good for you that you're noticing your fingers, and I'm sure the support of the pinky can be achieved with time, once we know what we're doing in the whole.

Warm Regards,
Mona

:rolleyes:

JCYL,

Picking up on what Mona said, suggest you experiment a bit with changing the height of your seat, changing your posture, whether you lean forward or back, and how you are using your forearms and upper arms.

If any of these factors alter your experience with the pinky, then it might not be the finger itself that's the issue.

Also, the problem might alleviate or vanish as you play more. How long have you played?

In my case it's definitely the finger itself that's the issue. I just know it.