Ques.—What is the “Digitorium?”—Ave de Caen.
Ans.—An apparatus for exercising and strengthening the fingers, intended especially for the use of pianists, but claimed by its inventor, Myer Marks, to be of great service to all who require flexible and well-trained fingers.
It consists of a small box about six inches square, provided with five keys, fitted with strongly resisting springs, upon which keys such exercises as the five-finger exercises, to be found in every piano-forte school, are to be practiced. In addition, there are attached to the sides of the box certain appliances for stretching the fingers, and a support for the wrist.
Ques.—“In Questions and Answers” next issue, will you please advise a few studies in expansion, in progressive order, to follow A. D. Turner’s op. 7, No. 2. Please mention publishers and prices if convenient, and oblige.—G. W. L.
Ans.—While there are plenty of figures to be found in various technical works for the expanded hand, as, for instance, those in “Tausig’s Daily Exercises,” and “Neupert’s 100 Daily Exercises,” no concert etudes, other than the one mentioned of Mr. Turner’s, have been written with the expanded figure appearing constantly, first in one hand, then in the other, from the beginning to the end of the piece. The following works, containing very difficult figures for the expanded hand, can be studied with great profit, after the pupil has learned the op. 7, No. 2, of Mr. Turner, viz.: Rubinstein’s Etude in C major, op. 23; Turner’s Valse Etude, op. 7, No. 1; Schumann’s Toccata in C and Liszt’s “Benediction de Dieu dans la Solitude.” One of the most difficult and tiresome figures ever written for expanded hand appears in this latter work.
Ques.—Would you please inform me of a good collection of music for the reed organ to be given a pupil having finished W. N. Clarke’s Method?—I. E. S.
Ans.—“Gems for the Organ,” by H. R. Shelley; just published by G. Schirmer, New York.
Ques.—Can you give me some information about the Dactylion.—A. B.
Ans.—The Dactylion supplies a want long felt by pianists, by means of a small and conveniently handled device, which can be had at a trifling cost, for the purpose of greatly strengthening the fingers and hands, and at the same time making them flexible and elastic; it improves and evens the touch, securing a full, round quality of tone, increasing rapidity and accuracy of execution and insuring a correct position of the hands. It is of benefit to the beginner as well as to the expert pianist. They can be had through The Etude.
