OVERUSE INJURIES AND PIANO TECHNIQUE - Institutional ...

nearest the torso. The fingers themselves can also initiate motion; when bent
at the MCP joints, the fingers pull the rest of the arm forward and raise the
wrist. This action was termed "grasping" by Pichier. This grasping motion
can also be accomplished through flexion at the wrist.48 As long as the finger
is not in contact with the key, every movement in the playing apparatus
moves the more distant part (the finger) around the part nearer the torso
(shoulder), i.e., the shoulder serves as the fulcrum of movement. As soon as
the finger makes key contact, the parts of the playing apparatus closest to the
torso can be moved around the finger, i.e., the finger serves as the fiilcrum.
Thus action by the adjusting apparatus gradually gives way to action by the
grasping apparatus. Pichier claimed this change in the center of motion
occurs gradually en route from key top to key bottom.49 Motions of the
grasping apparatus only take place at key bottom; the grasping motion does
not directly cause key depression. Instead, it intercepts the weight apparatus
(discussed below) and results in what Pichier terms an "after-motion" or
"after-flexion." That is, the finger pulls on the key, causing the back of the
hand to move sUghtly toward the fallboard and the wrist to rise in respoi\se.
Pichier claims that the purpose of the after-motion is to bring the parts of the
playing apparatus into position for the next note or chord.50 Pichier admitted
that it was difficult to distinguish a correct after-flexion with the finger
pulUng against the key against the weight of the arm and shoulder from an
incorrect after-flexion in which the shoulder pushes the wrist upward.5! It
should be noted that a correct after-motion as described by Pichier has the
48 Ibid., 73.
49 Ibid., 76.
50 Ibid., 77-78.
5! Ibid., 78.
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