Hi Anthony, At this time of year, when the demands of the garden are taking over from lute-playing, it is difficult to find compatibility for both hobbies.
Obviously it is important to wear gloves to protect the skin from cuts, abrasions and the forming of hard-skin. Also use plenty of hand moisturizer as heavy manual work dries the skin. But I find 'Chinese-balls' are a good exercise. I was given a pair as a present a few years ago. They are about 3cm diameter, hollow steel which you hold in one hand and keep crossing them over in a clockwise direction and then vise versa. Then do the same with the other hand. (Or use two pairs at the same time). Mine have a faint chiming sound inside, but you'd hardly notice. This exercise is good for all the muscles/joints in the hand. I suppose table-tennis balls could be used as a substitute, but would not have quite the same 'slippery' surface to rub together. Golf balls would be even less forgiving. Best Wishes Ron (UK) -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Anthony Hind Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2010 10:10 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [LUTE] incompatibility gardening/lute playing? Dear lutenists Recently, I have found myself having to do some rather heavy gardening, which appears to be almost incompatible with lute playing. the simple fact of being physically tired is part of it, but also the fingers seem less supple after clenching a spade or a pick-axe. One lute player told me that even carrying suit-cases to a performance, can make their fingers stiff; and certain lute makers told me that using a lute maker's tools can make lute playing more difficult; although there are some excellent lute maker-players, even among us. % Do others have similar impressions, and if so, are there any ideas on how to get round this, (apart, of course simply from getting someone else to carry your lutes, and do the gardening, or play your lutes): some exercise between activities to help prepare for playing, perhaps? % At present, I am back in my flat in Paris, and so playing as much as I can, in spite of the hot weather, which also makes things more difficult, and I have regained the suppleness, but I will soon have to go back to gardening. Thanks for any advice, Anthony -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
