Miracle Frog!

[Rue]

I am not sure exactly what it is supposed to do...but it's adorable and I want one!   (Hopefully I get over it... )...

http://www.enterprisingrabbit.com/miraclefrog.html

[Violadamore]

I can just see some renowned symphony orchestra warming up before the concert begins, sitting there in formals or tails, solemnly flexing their Miracle Frogs........ 

 

This looks like a cute adaptation of the well known grip strengthening exercise of attempting to squeeze a tennis ball.

[Rue]

Is it wrong of me to enjoy that visual so much???

[Addie]

Yes, these things are marketed for young supple hands, to encourage exercise. Adults should focus on movement that avoids pain and damage. It's the difference between a foal and a racehorse. I find that just going out in the cold can make my forearms and hands ache.

[Will L]

This article reminds me of the thing on the glasses in the Steve Martin's movie, "The Jerk."  Wait for the law suits to start!  "My little Billy was destined for greatness, and now look at him whimpering in the corner, his fingers paralyzed, tears in his eyes, never to perform the Minuet in G again, never to receive the plaudits of his comrades in his Suzuki class;  never again to take 30 bows for one tune.  Oh My!"  Should be worth a cool 30 million!  

[Ben Hebbert]

I wonder how Kreisler, Heifetz and Menhuin got through life without one... in other words, do you think this is a complete waste of time? 

[Rue]

But Ben! Just think how much BETTER Kreisler, Heifetz and Menhuin would have been if they had access to a Miracle Frog!!!

 

Lost opportunity I say!

[Carl Stross]

I wonder how Kreisler, Heifetz and Menhuin got through life without one... in other words, do you think this is a complete waste of time? 

 

No, just a bit might be helpful. Think Dounis

[Will L]

There were a number of devices and methods for developing the fingers.  One came out of England:  Called "Lightning Fingers," it featured pictures of the hand of violinist John Dunn,  who introduced the Tchaikovsky in England in 1902 (according to Bachman).  It did not involve devices; rather, it was primarily stretching and bending the fingers  as much as possible from the different joints.  It was advertised for many years in the "International Musician"  union paper.  

 

There is video somewhere showing someone like Albert Sammons using some strengthening device. (it may have been him or someone of similar stature, I just don't remember right now)  I'll see if I can find it, but it might have been posted on MN as part of a previous thread.  It may have been part of a blurb on Menuhin.   Maybe someone else will remember how to find it—worth seeing.

 

Another method I know of was supposedly used secretly by many noted concert violinists—according to the violinist who learned it in Philadelphia and taught it to me.  It included exercises using rubber bands; and brass curtain rods for the bow arm.

 

IMO, since the violin in itself can injure us, the careful use of a few of these methods is not any more harmful.  I never injured myself with extra-violin methods, only with violins that didn't work!

[Addie]

I wonder how Kreisler, Heifetz and Menhuin got through life without one... in other words, do you think this is a complete waste of time?

Kreisler was too macho to use one. He was trampled and slashed open by Cossacks in 1914. Menuhin was all about relaxation and pain avoidance. But I could see Heifetz using a Miracle Frog.