Does your practicing "work"?
Well, the correct hand strengthening exercises will advance you.
But THIS stuff, below? - Not really.
Find Out Why.
Question: Would you REALLY use something like this?
[from the 1870's]
Well, then;
Why THIS?
[2015]
Note this well: in hand strengthening exercises, the BIGGEST mistake any musician can make is to use "EXTERNAL RESISTANCE".
Why is that?
Well, here's a question for you: Not to be flippant, but have you ever seen a ballerina at the gym doing 300-pound leg presses? Or even a gymnast? No. Why?
Because they need to be FAST and FLEXIBLE and PRECISE.. not "musclebound".
NEITHER SHOULD A MUSICIAN SUBJECT HIS HANDS OR FINGERS TO AN EXCESS AMOUNT OF PHYSICAL STRESS!!
The Cowling System gets the job done WITHOUT the use of outside heavy force or external resistance.
Let's hear directly from the author of THE COWLING SYSTEM ©, from 1904, on why this works:
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"Firm and compact muscle can be developed by the use of dumbbells, corks and other mechanical devices, but firm and compact muscle is just what the instrumentalist does NOT want.
"Hence, no outside force whatsoever should be employed for the purpose of developing hand and fingers."
"What the instrumentalist needs is soft and flexible muscle of good quality..."
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Did you know it's proven that the best and fastest way to build the kind of muscle tissue a MUSICIAN needs is through ISOMETRIC ['same distance'] exercises? - Exercises in which the muscle being developed is not allowed to contract or "flex" against resistance?
Well, this is EXACTLY the way in which the Cowling System exercises are done!
Here is some info about isometric exercises in general:
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"One of the main benefits of isometric training is that the body is able to activate nearly all the available motor units -
..something that is usually very difficult to do.
"Back in the 1950s, researchers Hettinger and Muller found a single daily effort of two-thirds of a person’s maximum effort exerted for six seconds at a time for ten weeks increased strength about 5% per week, while Clark and associates demonstrated static strength continued to increase even after the conclusion of a five-week program of isometric exercises.
[MORE STUDIES:]
"In 1978, Komi, et al. showed that isometric training increased recruitment of muscle units, improved submaximal load efficiency, and improved oxidative metabolism in the muscle.1 R.H. Parker discovered isometric training was more effective than dynamic training for muscle function improvement.2 Folland, et al. noted that isometric training and dynamic training both had similar results in isokinetic strength gains, while isometric strength gains were significantly larger for isometrically-trained muscles than for dynamically-trained muscles.3
~ from PubMed, via "breakingmuscle.com"
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What is fascinating about the Cowling system is that it uses isometric principles to the full. Yet, The Cowling System dates from 1904 - many decades BEFORE isometric exercises were even known about as such!
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Another recommendation for The Cowling System©:
"I find it remarkable that such a system that made a world of difference in my piano playing as a teenager has gone down the 'plughole'. I wish someone would resurrect these exercises somehow.
"In 1976, my teacher gave me his copy of all the exercises, whereupon I made xeroxed pages to put in a binder.
"My teacher was amazed at my progress that in a year I could play, for example, the prelude #17 of Chopin!
"Kudos to Mr. Cowling!"
(from a pianists' discussion board in England, 2006)
EVERY musician can benefit greatly from hand strengthening exercises. And - by reported results - the most brilliantly effective set of hand strengthening exercises for every musician is "THE ORIGINAL" COWLING SYSTEM©!
OK. I want the book!
[click below]
Want to know more?? Here's further information on The Cowling System©'s hand strengthening exercises:
Click to read about the basics of the COWLING SYSTEM© of hand strengthening exercises, and WHY playing an instrument is an ATHLETIC activity:
Does the MIND influence exercise?:
At what point do the technique and the instrument "disappear"? -- The Cowling System© can help get you to that point:
THIS "SECRET METHOD" TO INSTRUMENTAL MASTERY HAS BEEN "HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT" FOR OVER A CENTURY!
But now, it has been REDISCOVERED! And YOU can enjoy the amazing benefits of it:
This Method Book Can ABSOLUTELY "Supercharge" YOUR Practice Routine - on ANY Instrument!
Find out more, or:
Buy It NOW On Amazon [Physical Paperback]:
or:
Get the PDF by clicking here:
"I’ve been playing a long time and really want to take my speed and accuracy to the next level! The first lesson...WOW! I’m a believer!!" ~ Will Suddeth, March 2020
And the accolades continue: David Grisman [above] uses "The Original" Cowling System:
DOWNLOAD "THE ORIGINAL COWLING SYSTEM©" -- PDF "E-BOOK" - 70 pages [$22.50 via PAYPAL secure]
THE SOFTCOVER PHYSICAL BOOK IS BACK IN PRINT! - Available at Amazon.
And still more [actual and unsolicited] rave reviews for "The Original" Cowling System:
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FROM A VIOLINIST:
"The Cowling System © is a set of 12 exercises designed to increase the flexibility and strength of the hand, wrist, and fingers.
"I bought the course in 1978 and have found them to be invaluable.
"I've kept them all these years and still use them to warm up with before playing."
~ Richard Barton posted on VIOLINIST.COM
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FROM A BASS PLAYER:
?"My fingers actually DO what my brain tells them to do, WITHOUT getting confused."
~ Anthony Jerome Smith, 35-year veteran bass player.
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FROM A PIANIST:
"In 1976, my teacher gave me his copy of all the exercises, whereupon I made xeroxed pages to put in a binder.
"My teacher was amazed at my progress that in a year I could play, for example, the prelude #17 of Chopin!
~ "RPN58" (from a pianists' discussion board in England, 2006)
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FROM A GUITARIST:
"I was introduced to the Cowling System © in the 1980's by a violinist in his seventies, who had amazing dexterity on his instrument for HIS age.
"Through the use of the COWLING SYSTEM ©, I went from "amateur" to an "A" level in music in a very short number of years.
"I have been using the exercises continuously since my friend gave them to me and believe me - THEY WORK."
~ Don Wills Guitarist, Great Britain
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FROM A VIOLINIST:
"I must say I am highly delighted with the way my fingering has improved since I commenced your hand strengthening exercises.
"Recently, I became very depressed about my playing and almost decided to give it up, but now I feel it's a pleasure, thanks to the Cowling System. ©"
~ "THE VIOLINIST" Magazine, December, 1924
I'd love to see YOUR testimonial on this list! If you really do "THE ORIGINAL" COWLING SYSTEM © of Hand Strengthening Exercises", you CAN master and truly enjoy your music!